AstraZeneca’s patent complaint affirmed by appeals court

A complaint lodged by global pharmaceutical group AstraZeneca has been affirmed by an appeals court, which said the district court decision of patent infringement was to be upheld.

AstraZeneca alleged that Apotex and Impax infringed on the patents which cover Pilosec, a heartburn drug manufactured by the company, FDA News reports.

The complaint involved the ‘505 and ‘230 patents relating to an active ingredient present in Prilosec (omeprazole). AstraZeneca said the defendants had infringed these patents and were two of a number of firms to file abbreviated new drug applications for the product.

FDA News said Impax had applied in December 1999 for the approval to distribute a generic version of Prilosec, as had Apotex.

Meanwhile, AstraZeneca announced last week its entrance into an agreement with Abbott for the promotion of Crestor (rosuvastatin calcium).

The medication is aimed at reducing high cholesterol when used alongside a diet and is a once-daily prescription statin available in doses of five, ten, 20 and 40 milligrams.

“With robust clinical data to support its use in managing cholesterol, Crestor is another important therapeutic option we can now offer physicians,” said Abbott Primary care vice-president Nicole Mowad-Nassar.

According to the agreement, Abbott will receive the non-exclusive promotion rights for Crestor with AstraZeneca in the US.