USPTO confirms patentability of basic Lipitor patent

Global drug giant Pfizer says that the US Patent and Trademark Office has issued a communication notifying the company that it will confirm the patentability of the claims of its '893 basic patent for Lipitor (atorvastatin).

The Patent Office had conducted a re-examination of the '893 patent in response to a request by a law firm that represented the India-headquartered generic company Ranbaxy Laboratories. The patent, which expires in March 2010 (including pediatric exclusivity), was previously the subject of litigation against Ranbaxy, in which Pfizer prevailed in both the trial and appeal courts.

Pfizer noted that it is pleased with the decision, which affirms the company's position that the patent was properly granted.