Canadian court stays launch of Ranbaxy's matcher to Lipitor
Canada's Federal Court of Appeal has reversed a lower court ruling which held that Pfizer's enantiomer patent could not bar generic manufacturer Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd from obtaining approval for a competitor product to Lipitor.
By PTI |
TORONTO: Canada's Federal Court of Appeal has reversed a lower court ruling which held that Pfizer's enantiomer patent could not bar generic manufacturer Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd from obtaining approval for a competitor product to Lipitor.
The appellate court issued an order prohibiting regulatory approval for pharmaceutical giant Ranbaxy's product in the country until Pfizer's enantiomer (calcium salt) patent expires in July 2010, Pfizer said in a statement posted on its website yesterday.
"This decision sends a strong signal about the importance of protecting intellectual property rights in Canada, which provides the incentive for research-driven pharmaceutical companies to make the significant high-risk investments necessary to develop new life-saving medicines," said Pfizer Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel Peter Richardson.
"The court's ruling is not only an important one for Pfizer, but also for patients," he added
Ranbaxy may seek a review of the decision by the Supreme Court of Canada.
The appellate court issued an order prohibiting regulatory approval for pharmaceutical giant Ranbaxy's product in the country until Pfizer's enantiomer (calcium salt) patent expires in July 2010, Pfizer said in a statement posted on its website yesterday.
"This decision sends a strong signal about the importance of protecting intellectual property rights in Canada, which provides the incentive for research-driven pharmaceutical companies to make the significant high-risk investments necessary to develop new life-saving medicines," said Pfizer Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel Peter Richardson.
"The court's ruling is not only an important one for Pfizer, but also for patients," he added
Ranbaxy may seek a review of the decision by the Supreme Court of Canada.
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