Bristol-Myers Squibb says USPTO to review Plavix patent

US drug major Bristol-Myers Squibb says that its lead drug, Plavix (clopidogrel), the blood thinner co-marketed under an agreement with its originator, French giant Sanofi-Aventis, will be reviewed by the US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO).

Sales of Plavix in the second quarter of this year were $1,539 million, up 11%, while turnover in 2008 increased 18% to $5.6 billion, making it one of the world's best-selling pharmaceutical products.

The patent of the antiplatelet blood thinner is expected to expire in November 2011, although the companies might win a six-month extension for conducting pediatric studies. Canada-based Apotex has requested the USPTO to review the patent as the company is looking to bring generic versions of the drug to the market before 2011.