[Ip-health] Lilly busts Pfizer patent on ED

[love@cptech.org]

 http://news.excite.com/news/bw/010718/wa-lilly-icos-llc


Statement to the Media -- European Patent Office Says Pfizer's Method of
Use Patent for ED Invalid
 
 
Updated: Wed, Jul 18 4:33 PM EDT 

BOTHELL, Wash. (BUSINESS WIRE) - Lilly ICOS LLC today announced that the
Opposition Division of the European Patent Office (EPO) declared invalid
Pfizer's "method of use" patent EP702555 for PDE inhibitors, including
sildenafil. The ruling was made following a three-day hearing by the
Opposition Division. Lilly ICOS offered the following statement
regarding the decision:

This decision makes it clear that Pfizer is not entitled to
exclusivity in the field of erectile dysfunction (ED).

Lilly ICOS is pleased, but not surprised, with the decision.
Lilly ICOS was confident -- as were the other companies that
opposed the method of use claims -- that this particular
patent was invalid. This decision is consistent with the
decision of the UK court in November last year, which also
held that the UK designation of the same patent was invalid.

This decision leaves unaffected Pfizer's compound patent, 
which covers sildenafil.