Pfizer Inc announced today that the Canadian Federal Court in Toronto has granted its application for an order preventing Novopharm Ltd. from launching a generic version of Lipitor until expiration of the product’s patent (Canadian Patent 2,021,546) in July, 2010. The decision is subject to appeal.
“This is yet another decision recognizing the protection of the intellectual property supporting Lipitor,” said Pfizer General Counsel Allen Waxman. “Patents like this one provide the incentive to develop new, life- saving medicines that benefit millions of patients globally and Pfizer will continue to vigorously defend its intellectual property rights wherever they are challenged.”