Daily International Pharma Alert

The Federal Patent Court in Munich, Germany, has revoked Pfizer’s patent covering atorvastatin calcium, the active ingredient in Lipitor. The patent expires in July 2010.

The decision, which resulted from a challenge by Indian generic manufacturer Ranbaxy Laboratories and its German subsidiary Basics, has no immediate impact because neither company has regulatory approval to sell generic atorvastatin in Germany, and Pfizer’s basic patent covering atorvastatin remains in force, Pfizer said.

Pfizer said it will appeal the decision, a process expected to take two to three years. Lipitor is sold in Germany under the brand name Sortis.