Pfizer-Ranbaxy deal might signal trend
20 June 2008
Eklavya Gupte, London
This week’s settlement of the Lipitor patent litigation suggests that branded and generic drugs companies are more willing to compromise on IP rights, according to lawyers spoken to by Managing IP
After five years of court battles, Pfizer and Indian generic manufacturer Ranbaxy Laboratories agreed to settle most of the Lipitor patent litigation worldwide on June 18.
The battle began when Ranbaxy challenged Pfizer's Lipitor patents in August 2003 and said that extensions to the patents were obtained to fend off generic versions.
Cholesterol drug Lipitor is one of the largest-selling prescription drugs with worldwide sales in 2007 of $12.7 billion.
Litigation took place all around the world with both parties winning some favourable decisions.
Under the agreement, Ranbaxy retains 180-day exclusive rights to sell generic versions of Lipitor in the US from November 30 2011. The Indian company also has a licence to sell generic versions of Lipitor and the fixed-dose combination of atorvastatin-amlodipine besylate (Caduet) in...
Only subscribers have complete access to Managing IP Magazine,
log in or
subscribe now.
Alternatively take a
free trial, giving you 48-hour access to Managing IP Magazine (some articles and surveys may be excluded).
Subscribe Now
This article is available to subscribers. Please click subscribe to read the rest of the article.
Subscribe
Take a free trial
Please take a free 48-hour trial to gain limited access. Some articles and surveys may be excluded.
Take a free trial