Pfizer Sues To Delay Ranbaxy Lipitor Generic Another Six Years (India)

Pfizer has filed two more patent suits against Ranbaxy Laboratories, this time in the United States, to extend protection of the anti-cholesterol Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) patent until 2016. Ranbaxy's atorvastatin generic currently can be sold in the United States beginning in 2010. Pfizer contends those sales of the drug would infringe on its patent on Caduet, a combination of Lipitor and Norvasc (amlodipine besylate), by itself indicated for hypertension. Previous court wins by Ranbaxy allowed the firm to launch its Lipitor generic in 2010, a year ahead of expiration of Pfizer's patent on the drug.(Click here for more