Pfizer Wins Lipitor Patent Case Against Ranbaxy

Pfizer said that the Irish High Court has ruled that the basic patent covering atorvastatin – the active ingredient in the company’s Lipitor cholesterol drug – would be infringed by a rival product from generics manufacturer Ranbaxy.

The decision, which is subject to a possible appeal, prevents Ranbaxy from launching its drug before the basic Lipitor patent expires in November 2011.

“Today’s decision is yet another affirmation of the strength of the intellectual property behind Lipitor,” said Pfizer general counsel Allen Waxman.