India court rejects Novartis plea for cancer drug patent

[News Bandit]

New Delhi - India's Supreme Court Monday dismissed Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG's appeal seeking patent protection for its popular leukemia drug Glivec, a ruling seen as a major blow for global drug firms.

 

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[padfoot]

Three cheers for India's Supreme Court.

[sinbad5]

This is actually a big deal. Drug companies will no longer be able to 'evergreen' patents via minor variations.

[eXplosief]

This is actually a big deal. Drug companies will no longer be able to 'evergreen' patents via minor variations.

 

That could have be an argument if the original drug had received a patent, but that one was also denied.

[Billyboy294]

Some years ago the Indian High Court also rejected  an appeal from Phiser about an Indian company making a 'copy' of Viagra called Kamagra.

 

Later Kamagra changed the color from blue to green as a sop to Phiser but kept the Viagra size and shape.

 

 

Recently a Thai company have started manufacturing "copies' called Sidegra.(available in 50mg or 100 mg.)