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Pfizer's Lipitor patent upheld by Spanish court

Date published: 21/12/2005

A Spanish court has maintained Pfizer's patent for its cholesterol treatment Lipitor. Ratiopharm Espana had attempted to use a lawsuit to challenge Pfizer's patents on the drug's active ingredient atorvastatin. It may now appeal. The patent is due to expire in July 2010 and has been challenged by other drug firms looking to make generic forms of the drug.

Pfizer has recently won several challenges against its patents regarding Lipitor, which is the world's top selling cholesterol controlling drug. Last Friday, a US court ruled against a challenge from Ranbaxy, whilst a UK court ruled against the generic maker from copying the drug in October.

Lipitor patents have also been protected and upheld in Norway, Peru and by the Andean court in Ecuador. The decision by the latter in favour of Pfizer applies to Ecuador, Venezuela and Peru and cannot be appealed.

"The Spanish court decision is important for Pfizer and other medical innovators who invest in high-risk research to develop life-saving medicines for millions of patients," said Jeffrey B Kindler, Pfizer's general counsel.

The decision also means that Pfizer's forthcoming combination therapy atorvastatin-torcetrapib will not face generic competition.

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