AstraZeneca to seek compensation for Impax, Apotex

Source: Healthcare Digital

Date :21/08/2008 10:16:35

AstraZeneca plc has won the right to seek compensation from Impax Laboratories and Apotex for some of the sales it lost to their generic versions of its ulcer drug Prilosec.

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington ruled yesterday, August 20, that the two companies infringed the London-based drugmaker’s patents on the medicine.

In June, the court said Mylan Inc didn't infringe the same patents.

The decision allows AstraZeneca to seek compensation from Impax, Apotex and Impax's partner, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, for any sales they made when the patents were in force.

“This decision, upholding both the validity and enforceability of the patents, once again reaffirms the strength of our intellectual property,” AstraZeneca spokesman Blair Hains said.