US court upholds patent for heart drug Plavix

Manufacturing News, Source : The Manufacturer US
Published : 25 Jun 2007 16:32

A US judge has upheld the patent for Plavix held by both Sanofi-Aventis of France and its US partner Bristol-Myers Squibb.

This ruling bars Apotex (of Canada) from producing a generic form of the blood-thinner - a colossal victory for Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb, given that Plavix is the world's second best-selling medication by some accounts.

According to an Economist story, this now exposes Apotex to a patent infringement suit. US District Judge Sidney Stein ruled that Apotex failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the patent is invalid or unenforceable, and that the partnership that produces Plavix is entitled to permanent injunctive relief. The decision will maintain their patent through 2011.

Apotex plans an immediate appeal.

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