Pfizer appeals Canadian Court's Lipitor ruling

USA-based drug giant Pfizer said that it will appeal a decision by the Canadian Federal Court in Toronto, which rejected its application to block the sale, by Indian generics firm Ranbaxy, of a version of its megablockbusting cholesterol-lowerer Lipitor (atorvastatin). The company explained that the ruling was in relation to Canadian patent number 2,021,546 that covers the calcium salt of atorvastin, which is due to expire in July 2010.

Pfizer's general counsel, Allen Waxman, said that the court's decision presents clear and substantive grounds for appeal, and added that the firm will immediately begin this process in an effort to maintain exclusivity for the product through to patent expiration.

The company added that the ruling had no immediate financial impact because Ranbaxy is still subject to other pending litigation, specifically under patent number 1,268,768, which the court found would be infringed upon by the Indian firm.