Ranbaxy successfully challenges Atorvastatin patents in Norway

Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (RLL) announced that the Norwegian Appeals Court handed down a favorable decision for Ranbaxy in its case against Pfizer, involving key Norwegian patents on Atorvastatin in Norway.

Atorvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering drug which is marketed by Pfizer as Lipitor(R).

The Oslo City Court had previously sided with Ranbaxy by finding non- infringement of two of Pfizer's Norwegian patents (No. 177,566 and No. 180,199) covering particular intermediate compounds. It had, however, denied Ranbaxy's assertion of non-infringement on Pfizer's Norwegian patent (No. 177,706) also covering particular intermediate compound, which was then appealed by Ranbaxy. In today's decision, the appeal court upheld the city court ruling on the '566 and the '199 patent but overturned the adverse ruling on the '706 patent.

The Norwegian Appeals Court also found Pfizer Norwegian process patent (No. 309,322) relating to a process for manufacturing amorphous Atorvastatin to be invalid. This patent had been earlier revoked by the EPO. The decision will now allow Ranbaxy to market Atorvastatin Tablets in Norway.

"This is a most important decision for Ranbaxy as it completely validates our position in relation to the Atorvastatin patents," said Jay Deshmukh, Senior Vice President, Global Intellectual Property for RLL. He further added, "This decision will allow Ranbaxy to market an affordable, generic dosage form of Atorvastatin that will be of benefit to Norwegian patients."

http://www.ranbaxy.com/