GlaxoSmithKline loses Seroxat patent in UK

GlaxoSmithKline has reportedly lost its battle to defend the UK patent of its anti-depressant drug Seroxat.

The House of Lords has decided that the original 2002 ruling that Dutch company Synthon had not infringed patents on paroxetine mesylate, a compound closely related to Seroxat, should stand, reports PharmaFocus.

That ruling was overturned on appeal in June 2003.

Synthon made the claim that its own pre-existing patent application for paroxetine mesylate anticipated Glaxo’s patent.

Glaxo had its equivalent European patent in revoked in December 2004 by the European Patent Office.

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