‘Ruling Applies Only to Austria and Is Not Relevant to Patent Litigation
Between Ranbaxy and Pfizer in Other Jurisdictions, Including the U.S.,’ Pfizer
States
NEW YORK, March 29 2005 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Pfizer Inc said today that it will appeal a decision by the Austrian Patent Office to invalidate the
company’s enantiomer patent covering atorvastatin calcium, the active
ingredient in Lipitor. Lipitor is sold in Austria under the brand name,
Sortis.
Pfizer said it is confident it will, on appeal, be able to make a
compelling argument in support of its patent, which had been challenged in
Austria by Ranbaxy.
Pfizer pointed out that the ruling applies only to Austria and is not
relevant to patent litigation between Ranbaxy and Pfizer in other
jurisdictions, including the U.S. Pfizer holds another composition-of-matter
patent for Lipitor in Europe (expiring in 2011), that covers a class of
compounds including atorvastatin calcium. Ranbaxy also has challenged that
patent in Austria, but no hearing has been scheduled.
The enantiomer patent will remain in force during the appeals process,
which is expected to take about a year.
Web Site: http://www.pfizer.com
