Pfizer wins case to stop Teva selling generic Viagra in USA

Global pharmaceutical behemoth Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) revealed yesterday that it has prevailed in its patent infringement action against Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, a subsidiary of Israeli generic giant Teva (Nasdaq: TEVA), in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia relating to its best-selling erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil), which has annual sales in the USA of around $1 billion.

Commenting on the ruling, Judge Rebecca Beach Smith stated: “Teva has not shown by clear and convincing evidence that the patent is invalid.” Moreover, “there is utterly no evidence” to support Teva’s claim that Pfizer intentionally withheld documents from the US Patent and Trademark Office, she said.

Original patent was due to expire next year