Danish court injunction prohibits sale of generic Lipitor

Pfizer has announced that a Danish court has granted a preliminary injunction against Nomeco A/S -- the largest pharmaceutical wholesaler in Denmark -- that prohibits the sale of a generic version of Lipitor by generics manufacturer Ranbaxy.

The injunction, issued by the Bailiff's Court of the Copenhagen City Court in Denmark and subject to possible appeal by Nomeco, requires Ranbaxy's generic atorvastatin product to be withdrawn from the Danish market pending the outcome of a patent infringement trial that has not yet been scheduled.

At issue are three Pfizer patents covering atorvastatin calcium, the active ingredient in Lipitor, as well as processes and intermediate compounds used to make atorvastatin. The latest-expiring of the patents provides coverage for Lipitor through November, 2011. The Bailiff's Court ruled in Pfizer's favor on all three patents.

"This ruling is another significant milestone in our defense of Lipitor patents around the world," said Pfizer Senior Vice President and General Counsel Allen Waxman. "And it's an important outcome for Pfizer and other medical innovators who invest in high-risk research to develop life-saving medicines for millions of patients," added Karin Verland, country manager of Pfizer Denmark.