Pfizer Inc said today that the Court of Appeal of Barcelona has
upheld the company's enantiomer patent covering the calcium salt of
atorvastatin, the active ingredient in Lipitor, reversing the lower
court decision. The calcium salt patent expires in July 2010.
The patent was challenged by generic manufacturer Lek
Pharmaceuticals D.D., and is one of four separate challenges to the
calcium salt patent by generic companies in Spain.
Lipitor is sold in Spain under the brand names Zarator and Cardyl.
"This is a victory not only for Pfizer, but for all innovators
pursuing high-risk medical discoveries and for the patients who
benefit from those discoveries," said Pfizer General Counsel Allen
Waxman.
Lek can seek to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court of Spain.
