Tuesday, 2 November 2010
On 1 November 2010, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the District Court’s issuance of a preliminary injunction barring Apotex (Apotex, Inc. and Apotex Corp.) from launching a generic version of AstraZeneca’s PULMICORT RESPULES (budesonide inhalation suspension) in the US. The Preliminary Injunction issued by the District Court in May 2009 therefore remains in place. No trial date for the patent litigation has been set.
AstraZeneca is pleased with the ruling and has full confidence in the strength of its intellectual property rights protecting PULMICORT RESPULES and will continue to vigorously defend and enforce its intellectual property.
Patents covering PULMICORT RESPULES expire in 2018 with paediatric exclusivity extending to 2019.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines. As a leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation, oncology and infectious disease medicines, AstraZeneca generated global revenues of US $32.8 billion in 2009. For more information please visit: www.astrazeneca.com
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