A niche blog dedicated to the issues that arise when supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) extend patents beyond their normal life -- and to the respective positions of patent owners, investors, competitors and consumers. The blog also addresses wider issues that may be of interest or use to those involved in the extension of patent rights. You can email The SPC Blog here

Wednesday, 2 July 2008

Teva challenge to Seroquel fails; paediatric extension granted

Citing an item in Forbes, Fiercepharma reports that drugs giant AstraZeneca has avoided a full-blown trial to protect its antipsychotic medication for bipolar disorder Seroquel. Teva Pharmaceutical hoped to market a generic version of this medication, which has a current US patent expiration date in September 2011, and commenced legal proceedings against AstraZeneca based on a "no inequitable conduct" challenge, but it has been reported that a federal court in New Jersey has given summary judgment in AstraZeneca's favour. A patent extension for specifically for paediatric use will extend AstraZeneca's protection to March 2012. Teva is believed to be considering an appeal against the court's ruling.

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