Pfizer wins patent challenge

Pfizer’s US patent for amlodipine besylate, the active ingredient in Norvasc has been held up by a Chicago court.

The judge ruled that a generic version made by the Canadian firm Apotex infringed Pfizer’s patent and prohibited the launching of the generic drug until September 2007.

Jeffrey Kindler, Pfizer vice chairman and general counsel, said: “The court decision is another important victory for medical innovators who invest in high-risk research to develop life saving medicines, as well as for the patients who benefit from those medicines.

“We are gratified that the court has affirmed the validity of our Norvasc patent, and we will continue to defend against any and all patent challenges that seek to undermine our mission of finding new therapeutic options for the patients we serve.”

The possible loss of revenue if the decision had gone the other way would have been great as Norvasc is the world’s most-prescribed branded medicine for treating hypertension.

Pfizer now faces challenges from other generic manufacturers over the amlodipine besylate patent as well as a second basic compound patent covering amlodipine.

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