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August 15, 2011
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Forensic Chemistry: A new method could increase the number of explosives detected by airport screeners.
Trade: U.S. companies complain of market dumping by China.
Layoffs follow similar moves by Amgen, AstraZeneca.
Environment: Ban to halt export of hazardous waste to developing world.
Penrose (Parney) Albright will direct DOE national lab.
Toxic Exposure: Mercury isotopes in human hair illuminate dietary and industrial sources.
Cancer Biochemistry: Mass spectrometry follows the metabolism of very long fatty acids in cancer cells.
A federal judge has ruled in favor of Pfizer in the drug company's patent infringement case against generic drug maker Teva, securing Pfizer patent exclusivity on the blockbuster erectile dysfunction drug, Viagra, into 2019.
Teva, which has developed a generic version of the drug, argued that Pfizer's patent on Viagra is unenforceable in that the U.S. drug firm's original patent on the active ingredient, sildenafil citrate, is due to expire next year. Pfizer prevailed in upholding a second patent on the use of sildenafil citrate specifically for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Viagra, the first commercialized therapy in the category of erectile dysfunction drugs that now includes Eli Lilly & Co.'s Cialis, was discovered serendipitously during clinical trials for the use of sildenafil citrate to treat chest pain. While the drug performed poorly for that indication, it was discovered that men participating in the trial were experiencing spontaneous erections.
The decision, delivered by Judge Rebecca Beach Smith in a federal court in Norfolk, VA, will provide a modicum of relief to Pfizer, which faces imminent loss of patent protection for its statin, Lipitor, the top-selling drug in the world. Viagra sales reached nearly $2 billion in 2009.
"We are pleased that the court recognized the validity and enforceability of our Viagra patent for the treatment of erectile dysfunction," says Amy Schulman, executive vice president and general counsel for Pfizer. "Protecting the intellectual rights of our innovative core is critical, and Friday's court decision acknowledges Teva's clear violation of our patent right."
The court's decision, which remains subject to appeal, prevents Teva from receiving approval for a generic form of Viagra until October 2019. Pfizer says there are other patent challenges to Viagra, though no trials in those cases have been scheduled.
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