Denmark upholds two of Pfizer's Lipitor patents

Global drugs behemoth Pfizer reported that the Eastern Division of the High Court in Copenhagen, Denmark, has ruled in the company's favor in challenges to two of its patents covering atorvastatin, the active ingredient in Lipitor, its blockbuster lipid-lowerer which generated nearly $13.0 billion in sales last year. The basic (DK 171,588) and enantiomer (EP 409,281) patents were challenged by India-based generics manufacturer Ranbaxy. The court ruled that the basic patent, which expires in November 2011, would be infringed by Ranbaxy's generic atorvastatin product. It also declared that the atorvastatin enantiomer patent, which expires in July 2010, is valid. The decision, which is subject to possible appeal, prevents Ranbaxy from launching its generic product before November 2011, noted Pfizer.