AstraZeneca appeals in patents case

AstraZeneca has lodged its appeal over losing the patent for hypertension treatment Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate).

In January US court ruled that two patents for the extended release tablet were invalid and unenforceable finding in favour of the defendants KV Pharmaceutical, Andrx Corp and Novartis’s Eon Labs.

The Toprol patent was due to expire in September 2007 and last year US sales for the drug hit $1,291 million.

AstraZeneca continues to maintain that both patents are valid and enforceable.

The threat of losing patents for anti-ulcerant Nexium and schizophrenia treatment Seroquel is also looming for AstraZeneca, although no court dates have been fixed.

© Adfero Ltd