District Court rules in favor of Nycomed/Pfizer's US patent for Protonix

Judge Jose Linares of the US District Court for the District of New Jersey has confirmed the jury verdict in favor of independent Swiss drugmaker Nycomed and US drug behemoth Pfizer (The Pharma Letter April 26).

The decision upholds the jury verdict issued on April 23, 2010, confirming that the patent for the anti-ulcerant Protonix (pantoprazole) is valid and rejecting allegations by the defendants - KUDCo, the US generic drug business of the Schwarz Pharma - which did not 'at-risk' launch its copy drug.

Hakan Bjorklund, chief executive of Nycomed, commented: 'We are very pleased that the court recognized and acknowledged that our patent is valid. Patents represent the foundation of pharmaceutical innovation and are crucial to bring new medicines and treatments to patients who need them.'