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Gazette Highlights News 2005

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Week 52:
  • Out of more than 200 patents and applications relating to lansoprazole, no fewer than 13 to date have attracted term extension or supplementary protection activity. This Takeda proton pump inhibitor, first claimed in the mid-1980s in EP174726...
  • A further notice reports an uncommon SPC event, the voluntary surrender of an active SPC by the owner. In this case, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) is reported to have surrendered the SPC for nefazodone hydrochloride (Serzone)...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed November 16th - November 23rd 2005
Week 51:
  • This week’s UK Patents and Designs Journal contains details of the two SPC applications reported in the Current Patents Gazette two weeks ago (Issue 0549). The first is to the University of Missouri on EP201601 for Yttrium 90 glass microspheres...
  • The entry into force of the SPC on EP184162 for tacrolimus (Prograf) was also recorded in this weeks PDJ. SPCs have been granted to Fujisawa (now Astellas Pharma) on this patent...
  • The big story coming out of the US in the last week has been the decision by a Federal Court in Delaware that upheld two key Pfizer patents protecting atorvastatin, the active ingredient in Lipitor...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed November 9th - November 16th 2005
Week 50:
  • The UK Patents and Design Journal this week mainly contains details of Agrochemical SPCs being granted and coming into force. The only pharmaceutical entry concerns the grant of a Certificate to NPS Pharmaceuticals for cinacalcet...
  • Protein Design Labs filed a further SPC application on EP451216 on December 8, 2005. This application, for omalizumab (Xolair), is the fifth application on this patent...
  • At their meeting on December 9th, the EU Council reached a “political agreement” on the draft regulation on medicinal products for paediatric use. This means that the proposal was not passed on the first reading, but a “Common Position” was reached...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed November 2nd - November 8th 2005
Week 49:
  • The UK Patents and Designs Journal (PDJ) this week reports the grant of an SPC to Genentech for efalizumab (Raptiva)...
  • The entry into force of the SPC for Amersham’s (GE Healthcare) Omniscan (gadodiamide) is also recorded in the PDJ this week...
  • Recently filed SPC applications that have not yet been reported in the PDJ include one to the University of Missouri on EP201601 for Yttrium 90 glass microspheres...
  • Another recent application was Pfizer’s third application for veterinary antibiotic ceftiofur...
  • Indian patents were in the news again this week, with the news that Multinational Corporations that had filed Black box (or more correctly, Mailbox) applications for Pharmaceutical products, were being hit by a wave of oppositions by Indian companies...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed October 25th - November 2nd 2005
Week 48:
  • The two new SPC applications mentioned in last weeks Current Patents Gazette are officially notified in the UK PDJ this week...
  • Genentech’s application for an SPC on EP851925 for pegvisomant is a more straightforward application which if granted should expire November 2017, fifteen years after the first EU approval date...
  • Also reported in the PDJ is the expiry on November 6 of the SPC for GSK’s calcium antagonist, lacidipine...
  • The Japanese Gazette for November contained details of four granted patent extensions for tacrolimus to Astellas Pharma KK. Originally patented by Fujisawa...
  • KuDOS Pharmaceuticals Ltd has filed an UK initial application covering phthalazinone derivatives...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed October 19th -October 25th 2005
Week 47:
  • A month ago the Current Patents Gazette reported that UK PDJ 6075 incorrectly recorded SPC/GB99/004 on EP463756 for Pfizer’s sildenafil (Viagra) as withdrawn...
  • The entry into force on October 31 of the SPC for formestane, which is approved for the treatment of breast cancer, is recorded in this week’s PDJ...
  • Also recorded in this week’s PDJ is the expiry on October 27 of the SPC for Pfizer’s antidepressant, sertraline (Zoloft)...
  • Following a High Court ruling in December 2004, the PDJ reports that Sankyo’s SPC on GB2093695 for the ivermectin + praziquantel veterinary combination has been revoked...
  • Two SPCs were added recently to the UK list of pending applications, the first being filed by Genentech for pegvisomant with Chiron filing an application for enfuvirtide...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed October 12th - October 19th 2005
Week 46:
  • As reported in last week’s Current Patents Gazette, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals have filed an SPC application on EP1240905 in the UK for their Boostrix IPV vaccine...
  • Also reported in the PDJ are three SPC grants including two Plant Protection SPCs granted to BASF and Syngenta respectively...
  • Entering into force recently was the SPC for liposomal daunorubicin. This was granted to NeXstar Pharmaceuticals and extends the protection on the product for around 4.5 years...
  • At the opposite end of the SPC process, the SPC on Glaxo’s salmeterol expired on October 25. This should mean a further decline in sales revenue for salmeterol which achieved revenue of $651.3 million in 2004...
  • Chiron also feature in the PDJ with notice being given that two related patents (EP181160 and EP1245678) were referred to the Patent Court on August 12, 2005 for revocation following opposition by a number of competitors...
  • On November 16th Roche and Gilead announced that they had resolved their dispute over Tamiflu (oseltamivir), resulting in a “redefined” agreement...
  • Also announced recently was the UK House of Lords’ decision on the GSK (formerly Beecham) patent for paroxetine methanesulfonate, which it declared invalid, thus overturning the Court of Appeal judgement and restoring the trial judge’s decision. Synthon had challenged the Beecham patent claiming lack of novelty...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed October 5th - October 12th 2005
Week 45:
  • Although not yet reported in the UK Patents and Design Journal (PDJ), GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals have filed an SPC application on EP1240905 in the UK for their Boostrix IPV vaccine (also known as Boostrix Polio or DTP + IPV)...
  • The Japanese Gazette for October contained details of patent extensions of almost four years awarded to Aventis Pharma SA on JP2992540, which now expires in April 2019, for telithromycin...
  • The PDJ this week reports the granting of an SPC to Roche Palo Alto LLC for palonosetron on EP0430190, which expires November 2015. Helsinn Healthcare have developed palonosetron, marketed as Aloxi or Onicit...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed September 28th - October 5th 2005
Week 44:
  • After last week’s glut of SPC information in the Patents and Designs Journal, there are only 2 items in the current weeks PDJ Proceedings. The entry into force on October 7, 2005 of the SPC awarded to Teijin on EP177920 for tacalcitol...
  • Also entering into force in October was the SPC awarded on EP177957 to Zymogenetics for becaplermin, which expires after the full five years on October 9, 2010. Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Inc...
  • Sun Pharma subsidiary Caraco Pharamaceutical Labs has received a favorable ruling in a US court regarding its plans to launch a generic version of Johnson and Johnson’s painkiller Ultracet...
  • Taiwan’s Health Minister has asked the country’s Bureau of Intellectual Property Rights to request a “coercive authorization” from Roche AG to allow the island to produce the anti-bird flu drug Tamiflu...
  • Illumina Inc has filed a request with the USPTO for Interference with Stanford Univ’s US6858412 - “Direct multiplex characterization of genomic DNA”...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed September 23rd - September 30th 2005
Week 43:
  • The UK Patents and Designs Journal contains a larger than normal amount of SPC information this week, with nine grants and three withdrawals reported...
  • Pfizer’s application (in the name of GD Searle) on EP731795 for celecoxib was deemed withdrawn, as the difference between the first approval and the filing dates...
  • Novartis were granted over three years protection with an SPC on EP564409 for anticancer drug imatinib...
  • Protein Design Labs have obtained a certificate of 4.5 years for trastuzumab on EP451216. SPCs have already been granted in the UK on this patent for daclizumab, palivizumab and bevacizumab...
  • Millennium Pharmaceuticals lost over two years on their SPC for eptifibatide (Integrilin) when the Swiss approval date is used rather than the centralised approval date of July 1999. Thus means that the SPC on EP477295 for eptifibatide will now expire February 2012...
Week 42:
  • Three SPC grants were reported in the UK Patents and Designs Journal (No. 6074) this week, a 2003 application for an agrochemical product from Bayer Cropscience being the first one reported. GSK (formerly The Wellcome Foundation) received a certificate of...
  • Syngenta Ltd is the third company to receive the grant of an SPC this week, but unusually for them, this is not for an agrochemical product. The SPC granted on EP591275 is for nitisinone, which has Orphan Drug status...
  • Patent protection has been in the news this week due to the media focus on avian flu and the question about the ability of Roche to supply the sudden demand for its antiviral, Tamiflu (oseltamivir)...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed September 8th - September 15th 2005
Week 41:
  • In July 2004 (Current Patents Gazette 0428), we commented on an SPC application by Novartis for eplerenone based on EP122232. This was unusual in that the SPC application, filed 3 days before the patent expiry...
  • The grant of an SPC on EP654264 to Boehringer Ingelheim for duloxetine was also reported in the PDJ, which is due to expire August 10, 2019. Marketed as Yentreve or Ariclaim...
  • Several interesting cases have been highlighted in Section A this week. Lexicon Genetics, a biopharmaceutical company, has published data on a series of small-molecule protein kinase inhibitors.
  • Enigma Diagnostics Ltd has an initial UK patent application entitled “Liquid transfer device”, and this follows on from WO2005019836 concerned with apparatus for processing a fluid sample...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed August 31st - September 7th 2005
Week 40:
  • The UK Patents and Designs Journal this week records details of one SPC entering into force and two “withdrawn” SPCs. Extended protection for Novartis’ antiviral famciclovir...
  • Withdrawn applications for SPCs by Roche on EP809996 for their Pegasys (peginterferon alpha 2A) product and Yeda on EP762888 for Copaxone...
  • TransForm Pharmaceuticals, a J&J subsidiary, raises some interesting questions this week with a couple of formulation cases relating to “conazole” antifungals and MRP1 inhibitors...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed August 24th - August 31th 2005
Week 39:
  • The grant of an SPC to Duke University for enfuvirtide, Roche’s anti-HIV fusion inhibitor Fuzeon...
  • The Hungarian gazette for September contains details of the two SPC grants reported in the 2005-36 issue of the Current Patents Gazette to Schering for Desloratidine and to Merz Pharma for memantine...
  • The September Japanese gazette gave details of 14 granted extensions on 13 patents of which 6 related to pharmaceuticals. Additionally, 14 new extension applications were reported on 11 patents, all of which had pharmaceutical relevance...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed August 19th August 26th 2005
Week 38:
  • The UK Patents and Design Journal reports this week the grant of an SPC for the full five years for Eli Lilly’s pemetrexed on the European product patent...
  • US patents protecting GlaxoSmithKline’s anti-HIV treatment Retrovir (zidovudine) expired on 17th September...
  • Akzo Nobel’s human healthcare business, Organon, has entered into a non-binding letter of intent with Cincinnati’s Duramed Pharmaceuticals (a Barr subsidiary) to settle the pending patent litigation concerning...
  • Aventis Pharmaceuticals and Albany Molecular Research have filed a motion for a preliminary injunction or expedited trial in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey to prevent Barr Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceuticals from marketing their generic versions of Allegra. (fexofenadine hydrochloride)...
  • On September 7th the proposed new European paediatric medicines legislation came closer to implementation when the European Parliament approved the Commission proposal - with a number of amendments...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed August 12th - August 19th 2005
Week 37:
  • This week’s Patents and Designs Journal (PDJ) from the UK Patent Office contains a total of nine notices relating to Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs), including formal publication of the two new Teva /Technion rasagiline applications...
  • Of the newly granted SPCs reported above, it is those for trastuzumab and bevacizumab that hold the greatest interest in commercial terms, not least because they are about to become head-to-head competitors in the same anticancer monoclonal antibody franchise...
  • A further new application, dated August 26th 2005, has now been posted on the UK Patent Office’s website, bringing the total for the year so far to 44. If this rate of filing continues, there could be almost 70 UK SPC applications filed by the end of the year,...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed August 4th - August 11th 2005
Week 36:
  • Three Hungarian SPCs noted in the 0531 issue of the Current Patents Gazette as being granted, but not yet published, were duly published in the HPO’s August Gazette. These were to ICOS Corp for tadalafil, Aventis Pharma for insulin glargine and H. Lundbeck for escitalopram oxalate...
  • We also note the grant of two SPCs, both for five years, which are due to be published in the September Hungarian Gazette. The first is to Merz Pharma GmbH for memantine (a treatment for cerebral ischemia)...
  • This week’s UK PDJ reports the expiry of two SPCs: Roche’s antifungal agent amorolfine,...
  • Also reported in the PDJ is the rejection of the SPC application by Knoll AG (now part of Abbott) for sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate...
  • Note: Article 3 (c) of the SPC regulations requires that “the product has not already been the subject of a certificate”. Whilst this was undoubtedly the case initially (both applications were submitted at the same time) this proviso was not met...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed July 28th - August 3rd 2005
Week 35:
  • For the first time this year, the Japanese Patent Gazette contained no details of any patent extension applications or grants in August. However, the UK Patents and Design Journal...
  • Also noted this week, but not yet published in the PDJ were joint SPC applications by Teva Pharmaceuticals and Technion Research and Development Foundation. Two applications were submitted for rasagiline or its salts...
  • The PDJ also reports the expiry on August 5th of the SPCs for Roche’s ACE inhibitor cilazapril (Inhibase) and Novartis’ terbinafine (Lamisil)...
  • Dr Robet Holton, a Professor at Florida State University and founder of Taxolog, is named as the sole inventor on WO2005079319, published this week. The application claims MST-997...
  • Pro-Cure Therapeutics Ltd, a Yorkshire based company, has filed five GB applications, all of which were published in the PDJ this week. The applications relate to stem cell markers...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed July 21st - July 28th 2005
Week 34:
  • The UK Patent Office has recently announced a change in practice when deciding whether or not applications contain a patentable invention. The change, based on a series of judgments that include one in 1997 relating to Biogen Inc and Medeva plc...
  • Halocarbon Products Corporation of New Jersey, in the course of claiming an intermediate for the anesthetic sevoflurane, seems to have come up with a new form of disclaimer on the front page of one of this week’s PCT applications...
  • The entry into force of the SPC for GlaxoSmithKline’s anti-migraine treatment, sumatriptan, on August 1st is recorded in the UK PDJ this week. This gives GSK a further 9 months protection on...
  • Also recorded in the PDJ was the entry into force on July 31st of TAP’s SPC protecting lansoprazole on EP174726, which expires December 10th, 2005. Lansoprazole (Zoton; Lanzor; Takepron; Prevacid; Naprapac) is a proton pump inhibitor...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed July 14th - July 21st 2005
Week 33:
  • The UK Patents and Design Journal (PDJ) this week reports the lodging of the SPC application by Novartis on EP900210 for atazanavir sulphate (Reyataz).
  • Also reported in the PDJ this week is the entry into force on 25th July, of the SPC protecting Chugai’s lenograstim, which is co-marketed with Sanofi-Aventis in a number of markets outside the USA. Available as an injectable formulation, lenograstim is indicated to lessen neutropenia associated with myelosuppressive chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, and severe chronic neutropenia.
  • Merck, once the world’s largest drugs manufacturer, was forced to pay damages of $250 million to an American widow this week. The case rested on her husband’s use of Vioxx (rofecoxib), a COX-2 inhibitor.
  • GSK’s blockbuster drug, Seroxat, has also been rocked by allegations this week. Seroxat (paroxetine) is one of the UK's most widely prescribed anti-depressant drugs, but a recent study has shown that it has been linked to a seven-fold increase in suicide attempts.
  • The prices and market value of generic ceftriaxone products have dropped by 40 per cent in the US following the patent expiry on Rocephin (US5089490), which was marketed by patent holder Roche in the US.
Week 32:
  • The entry into force on July 17th of the SPC protecting mivacurium chloride (Mivacron) is recorded in this week’s UK Patents and Design Journal (The PDJ). Mivacron was originally developed by The Wellcome Foundation (now GSK) and the Massachusetts General Hospital Corporation.
  • Also recorded in this week’s PDJ is the expiry of Bracco’s SPC for iomeprol on July 17th. According to our Investigational Drugs database (IDdb), iomeprol is used as a contrast agent in brain and liver imaging and cardio-angiography.
  • Several new applications have been filed recently, with Syngenta, Kumiaia and Ishihara Sangyo all filing applications for SPCs on Agrochemicals. Gilead Sciences have requested an SPC on EP915894 for tenofovir disoproxil in combination with another pharmaceutical ingredient, in particular, emtricitabine.
  • It has been reported this week that Genzyme and Biogen Idec have settled a lawsuit against Columbia University relating to drug producing technology developed by the University. The technology developed by professor Richard Axel is a technique for the introduction of DNA into eukaryotic cells.
Week 31:
  • The Japanese gazette containing the July patent extensions was received this week and contains details of six extensions granted. Sankyo KK and Ube Industries were granted three extensions...
  • Notification of the grant of four SPCs were reported in this week's UK PDJ. These included the grant of 2005 applications to Bayer Cropscience for fluoxastrobin and to Merck Frosst Canada...
  • Only one new SPC application was reported in July by the Hungarian Patent Office, with Genentech filing an SPC application for bevacizumab...
  • Aventis had gained transitional protection on HU210800 based on EP368187 which would normally expire on November 6, 2009. An SPC has now been granted for insulin glargin...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed June 23rd - June 30th 2005
Week 30:
  • This weeks UK Patent and Designs Journal contains details of almost every possible SPC event, except for new filings. Novo Nordisk and Chiron have withdrawn their request for an SPC for Recombinant human factor VIII as present in Baxter’s Advate...
  • SPCs were granted to Biogen and Health Research International for bivalirudin...
  • Entering into force in the first week of July were the SPCs for Novartis’ molgramostim, which expires October 2007 and Genentech’s Recombinant TNF-alfa product (tasonermin)...
  • Although not yet reported in the PDJ, Novartis have filed an application for an SPC on atazanavir sulphate (Reyataz)...
  • It was announced this week that two of GlaxoSmithKline’s US patents protecting the use of ondansetron have been ruled valid and are infringed by Kali Laboratories (a subsidiary of Par Pharmaceutical Companies)...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed June 16th - June 22nd 2005
Week 29:
  • The UK Patents and Design Journal (PDJ No. 6061) contained details of only two SPC events this week, namely the expiry of Eli Lilly’s SPC for their veterinary antibiotic, tilmicosin on June 24 and Novartis’ benazepril...
  • The Japanese Gazette for June contained details of the grant of seven patent extensions, two of which were agrochemicals and five pharmaceutical. Daiichi Pharmaceutical were granted two extensions for levofloxacin...
  • The Japanese Gazette also contained details of a further 14 extension applications. Interestingly, 9 of these were for drugs used in the suppression of rejection in renal transplants...
  • We have just received the SIBprima IP newsletter from our friends in Societa Italiana Brevetti...
  • This week in our section reporting granted EP patents we notice the grant of EP553234. This patent assigned to Promega discloses luciferase compositions...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed June 9th - June 15th 2005
Week 28:
  • The UK Patents and Design Journal reports the grant of 4 SPCs this week. Protein Design Labs added to their portfolio of protection for EP451216 with the grant of the SPC for daclizumab which expires...
  • In addition to reporting the SPC for the ritonavir and lopinavir combination (Kaletra) that we noted in Current Patents Gazette 0526, the PDJ also reports that Abbott have been granted an SPC for adalimumab (Humira)...
  • Also noted in the PDJ is the expiry of Schering Corp’s SPC on EP57401 the product patent for mometasone furoate on June 21. Different formulations of mometasone...
  • Over the last two weeks we have noticed that there have been an unusually high number of PCT applications published without IPC codes...
  • Myriad Genetics has held onto some European patent rights for its BRACAnalysis breast cancer risk gene tests, but continues to attract controversy and opposition. In February, the Current Patents Diagnostics Gazette reported that the European Patent Office (EPO) Opposition Division had upheld Myriad’s...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed June 3rd _ June 9th 2005
Week 27:
  • The UK Patents and Design Journal (PDJ) contains details of several Supplementary Protection Certificate events. The entry into force of Altana’s pantaoprazole SPC on 10th June extends the protection for pantoprazole to May 2009, whilst the expiry of the SPC for Pfizer’s nafarelin (Synarel)...
  • Three SPC grants are recorded, the first two being for mycophenolate products. The first was to Roche Palo Alto LLC (formerly Syntex) for mycphenolate mofetil and extends the protection based on EP281713 to November 2010, corresponding to the Swiss Authorisation of November 3rd, 1995. Interestingly, previous SPCs across Europe...
  • Our attention has been drawn to some very unusual claims that appeared on June 16th in a series of four technically related applications from The Scripps Institute that begins with WO2005053614. The subject of this quartet is protein kinase inhibitors based on a distinctive indolinone template...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed May 27th - June 2nd 2005
Week 26:
  • The UK PDJ does not contain any SPC notifications this week and no new applications have been added to the online database. However, we have noticed that Abbott’s application for an SPC on EP674513 for the ritonavir /lopinavir combination...
  • Two weeks ago, in the Current Patents Gazette, we commented on Roche Palo Alto LLC’s UK SPC application for palonosetron based on EP430190. This followed the EU Marketing Authorization of March 22nd...
  • A joint application from Newron and Vicuron caused some confusion this week. It is the first PCT application to be published naming these companies, who work in markedly different therapeutic areas; Newron is known to specialize in treating CNS disorders, whereas Vicuron develop medicines for infectious diseases...
  • Looking at UK initial “A0” applications this week Arrow Therapeutics Ltd, have filed an application relating to an apparently unreported collaboration...
  • KU Leuven and the D Collen Research Foundation VZW, frequent joint patentees in the past, are now applying for a UK patent on the subject of autism...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed May 19th - May 26th 2005
Week 25:
  • The UK Patents and Design Jounal (PDJ), this week reports the grant of two SPCs. The first is to Wyeth for their sirolimus (Rapamune)...
  • Eli Lilly gained rather more protection with almost 2.5 years for their SPC for drotrecogin alfa (Xigris) their treatment for severe sepsis...
  • Readers may remember that we commented in an earlier Current Patents Gazette on the ECJ decision which confirmed the view of the UK PTO and Luxembourg authorities that a first Approval in Switzerland was a valid Community approval...
  • Notification was also given in the PDJ of the expiry of GSK’s antiepileptic agent, lamotrigine, which lost SPC protection May 29...
  • In the course of claiming novel bombesin receptor antagonists, BioFocus Dicovery Ltd has maybe inadvertently identified some of its more promising lead compounds. The compounds modulate the bombesin receptor subtype 3 (BRS-3)...
  • The USPTO has rejected all the claims in Pfizer’s US5969156. The patent claimed crystalline forms of atorvastatin...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed May 13th - May 19th 2005
Week 24:
  • This weeks UK PDJ only contains one item of SPC information, the formal recording of the lodging of Roche’s application for an SPC for palonosetron...
  • Another new SPC application lodged in the UK recently was for ziconotide by Elan Pharmaceuticals, although this has not yet formally appeared in the PDJ. US approval for zirconotide, a non-opioid analgesic
  • It is unusual for us to carry information about SPCs in Iceland, however this month’s Icelandic Gazette contains details of an SPC granted to Hoffman La Roche for capecitabine...
  • Huaibei Huike published a PCT application this week relating to huvastatin. This is a prodrug of pravastatin...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed May 4th - May 11th 2005
Week 23:
  • The UK Patents and Designs Journal (PDJ) for this week formally records the entry into force of the SPC for levetiracetam based on UCB’s EP162036...
  • Purdue Pharma’s appeal against Endo Pharmaceuticals’ alleged infringement of the patents disclosing Purdue’s OxyContin controlled release formulation of oxycodone has finished...
  • Introgen Therapeutics announced victory last week in its opposition of European Patent EP390323. The patent is entitled “Detection of loss of the wild-type p53 gene”...
  • UK initial (“A0”) applications filed April 29th - May 4th 2005
Week 22:
  • The Japanese Patent Gazette published May 25th, contained details of 6 patent extensions, 3 plant protection (all from Bayer)...
  • A five year extension was obtained by Merck Sharp & Dohme for rizatriptan benzoate (Maxalt 10mg tablets) used in treating migraine...
  • The University of British Columbia (UBC) also gained a 5 year extension on JP2137244 for verteporfin, which is marketed by Novartis as Visudyne. QLT Inc...
  • Two weeks ago we reported that Roche were the recipients of the first granted Hungarian SPC for ganirelix. In fact we now see that nine SPCs have been granted in Hungary and Roche were the recipients of the first 3 for ganirelix, valganciclovir, and capecitabine...
Week 21:
  • This week’s UK PDJ reports the entry into force on May 1st, of the SPC for Pfizer’s (formerly Pharmacia’s) ibutilide...
  • A new SPC application was also observed on the UK PTO web site for palonosetron based on Roche Palo Alto LLC’s EP430190 (formerly Syntex)...
  • Astellas is the exclusive licensee of this patent and has been marketing Adenoscan since 1995...
  • Tercica announced this week that the High Court of Justice (Chancery Division Patent Court) in London had issued rulings in their patent infringement litigation case against Insemd and Avecia and in the related patent revocation action...
  • Amicus Therapeutics has had two PCT applications published on treatments for Gaucher disease, the first to emerge from this company...
Week 20:
  • No new SPC actions were reported in this week’s UK PDJ, but details of three new SPC applications can be found on the Patent Office Web site. These include a request filed by NPS Pharmaceuticals for cinacalcet...
  • Roche Palo Alto LLC is the recipient of the first registered Hungarian SPC (Registration Number S00001) for their ganirelix product...
  • The introduction of a European Paediatric exclusivity provision moved a small step closer recently, with the production of the European Parliament Draft Report...
  • AstraZeneca has a PCT application published this week claiming the use of sulfonamide derivatives as inhibitors of CoA:diacylglycerol transferase (DGAT), for treating obesity and diabetes...
Week 19:
  • This weeks UK Patents and Design Journal (PDJ) contained details of one SPC grant and notification of three SPCs entering into force. The Granted SPC was to Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co Ltd for aripiprazole...
  • Dow Chemical Co., not normally associated with pharmaceutical inventions, have the SPC for Quadramet which entered into force on the 15th April...
  • Ribapharm Inc.’s SPC for ribavirin on EP643970 entered into force April 16th and expires in April 2010. Ribvirin was initially codeveloped by ICN Pharmaceuticals...
  • Coincidentally, the April edition of the Japanese Patent Gazette, which we have just received, contained notification that Roche’s Japanese patent JP2980569 was granted an extension of 4 years and 25 days for the Pegasys (peginterferon alfa 2a) 180 microgram subcutaneous injection...
  • On 29th April, GlaxoSmithKline submitted an SPC application for the abacavir + lamivudine combination...
Week 18:
  • The UK PDJ this week records the entry into force of 3 SPCs for Recombinant human Factor VIII products...
  • Yeda R&D Co. Ltd are reported as having withdrawn their request for SPC/GB04/008 for a human monoclonal antibody...
  • The PDJ records the filing of SPC applications to Watson Pharmaceuticals for oxybutynin with triacetin enhancer, to Schering AG...
  • Further SPC applications noted this week were to Genentech, who have requested an SPC on EP1325932 for bevacizumab (Avastin) and to Duke University...
  • Also received this week, was the INPADOC Patent Gazette Newsletter 01/05, which contained details about a new regional grouping appearing in the INPADOC files (and on esp@cenet)...
Week 17:
  • The UK PDJ this week records the expiry on April 1, 2005 of the SPC granted to Merrell Pharmaceuticals (now Sanofi-Aventis) for fexofenadine...
  • Section A has yielded a few interesting cases this week. WO2005037839 from Entomed appears to disclose the first small molecules...
  • In a similar vein X-Ceptor Therapeutics have disclosed the first small molecules...
  • Array BioPharma and InterMune are both named for the first time as joint assignees on a PCT application...
Week 16:
  • You may have noticed the decision of the US Patent and Trademark Office to stop publishing filing dates (§371 dates) of PCT entries with immediate effect. This decision has generated a considerable stir among patent information providers...
  • No SPC events were reported by the UK PTO this week. However, an important judgement was released by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on April 21st, regarding two SPC related cases...
  • The ECJ agreed with the UK and Luxembourg authorities and the Advocate General’s opinion, as expressed in September 2004 (see Current Patents Gazette 0446 published November 12, 2004). In short, where a Swiss MA is the earliest approval...
  • The result of this decision means that the for case C-207/03 the SPC for basiliximab expires April 6, 2013 rather than October 8 2013...
  • In case C-252/03 the drug in question was Millenium Pharma’s eptifibatide for which the Swiss authorisation was February 27, 1997...
Week 15:
  • This weeks UK PDJ reports the expiry of the SPC awarded to Prodes SA for aceclofenac...
  • A further 5 SPC applications were noted this week, which should be reported in the PDJ in forthcoming issues. Aventis applied for an SPC on EP885961...
  • Following on from General Hospital Corp's SPC application one week previously, Schering also filed an SPC application on EP405704 for gadoxetic acid...
  • Overactive bladder treatments were also popular this week and included two SPC applications from Novartis for darifenacin hydrobromide. Marketed as Enablex...
  • Watson Pharmaceuticals, more known as a generic drug producer, have requested an SPC for oxybutynin with triacetin enhancer...
  • This week a court in Indianapolis upheld Eli Lilly's patent protecting olanzapine...
Week 14:
  • No new SPC events were reported in the UK PDJ this week, but the March issue of the Japanese Patent Gazette contained details of seven granted patent extensions. GSK (formerly The Wellcome Foundation) were granted two extensions...
  • Daiichi Pharmaceutical KK received extensions of 4 months 10 days on two related patents for levofloxacin...
  • Novartis was granted two extensions of 2 years 8 months and 17 days for atazanavir sulphate (Reyataz ®)...
  • Anticoagulatant parnaparin sodium gained 3 years 10 months and 2 days for Opocrin SPA...
  • Twenty years after its invention, perhaps the most widely used molecular biology technique in history came off-patent on Monday, March 28th. The Polymerase Chain Reaction, or PCR...
Week 13:
  • This weeks UK PDJ reports the grant of an SPC to AHP Manufacturing BV on EP939121 for a recombinant TNF-R p75IgI fusion protein product...
  • Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd also received an SPC for EP186833 a process patent for the competitive TNF related product, adalimumab...
  • General Hospital Corporation has filed for a UK SPC on EP222886 for Primovist (gadoxetic acid, disodium)...
  • General Hospital Corp also had EP560928 and EP476953 revoked. The first patent, EP560928, described an inhaler device...
Week 12:
  • This weeks UK PDJ reports the filing of 5 SPC applications. These applications, from Callegy Pharmaceuticals, Laboratoires Servier, Bayer, Protein Design Labs and Schering Corp...
  • Eight new SPC applications were filed in the last week. Eli Lilly and The Trustees of Princeton University shared an SPC for pemetrexed...
  • The remaining seven SPC applications were filed in the name of Medeva BV and were based on EP747058. These were for various combinations of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis...
  • Pfizer have fifteen applications published this week claiming new uses and combinations containing the vitamin D analog 2MD licensed from Deltanoid...
Week 11:
  • This weeks UK PDJ contains details of a number of SPC events, the first being to McNeilabs Inc. (Johnson & Johnson) who were granted an SPC on EP566709 for their tramadol hydrochloride + paracetamol combination, known as Ultracet. With generic competitors...
  • It was also reported that the SPC on EP155096 entered into force on 20 February. This gives just over 2 years additional protection to Merck & Co...
  • In a notification that reminds us of some of the quirks in gaining SPC protection, the PDJ reports that SPC/GB04/009, protecting AstraZeneca’s fulvestrant,...
  • At the opposite end of the patent lifecycle, notification was given that Glaxo’s SPC for ondansetron had expired on 22 February 2005. According to analysts from our Strategic Drugs database (SDdb)...
Week 10:
  • This weeks UK PDJ records the entry into force of the SPC previously granted to Schering Corporation for desloratidine...
  • M.L.Laboratories UK SPC for icodextrin based on GB2154469, was also reported as entering into force...
  • ZymoGenetics’ EP624095, which describes the use of factor XIII for reducing perioperative blood loss...
  • Sanofi-Aventis is suing Novopharm after Novopharm gained approval for a generic version of the company’s Lovenox...
  • Ranbaxy is putting some effort into a uro-selective alpha1-adrenoreceptor antagonist...
  • This week Natco Pharma announced the grant of EP1221947...
  • Sekhsaria Chemicals Ltd has submitted a GB application on a stable crystalline form of entacapone...
  • Hunter-Fleming Ltd has also filed a GB application this application discloses tricyclic cytoprotective compounds...
Week 09:
  • This weeks UK PDJ reported the entry into force of the SPC for Chiron’s humanised monoclonal antibody treatment for breast cancer, trastuzumab...
  • Five new SPC applications were announced this week, four of which relate to pharmaceuticals. The first request by Callegy Pharmaceuticals was for a 0.4 % concentration nitroglycerin ointment...
  • The Japanese patent gazette for February contained news of 5 extensions being granted. Genzyme Corporation was granted 2 extensions...
Week 08:
  • This week sees the announcement that Emory University has been granted a UK SPC protecting its HIV treatment emtricitabine...
  • Schering has been granted a UK SPC protecting a combination of estradiol and drospirenone marketed as Yasmin...
  • In an unusual combination of announcements, the official confirmation that a UK SPC for omeprazole sodium has now entered into force...
  • Another unusual announcement concerns an Erratum correcting the expiry date of SPC/GB93/158 awarded to Knoll for flosequinan. This states that the expiry date has been recalculated to 6 January 2006...
  • Spectrum Pharmaceuticals has challenged a Glaxo patent protecting its injectable sumatriptan Imitrex. Spectrum has filed a ANDA...
  • Pfizer is suing Ranbaxy for infringement of a quinapril patent. Teva has launched a product in the US...
  • The University of Newcastle Upon Tyne has filed a GB A0 initial application on stem cells. Back in August 2004, scientists at the University were given a licence...
Week 07:
  • This week official confirmation of the rejection of a UK SPC application attempting to protect adalimumab was provided. This application based on EP486526 was made by Peptech and covered the Humira product...
  • Yamanouchi has been granted a UK SPC for its muscarinic M3 antagonist solifenacin...
  • Notice that an SPC has entered into force for GSK’s 5-HT 3 antagonist ondansetron was also given this week. This SPC granted to Glaxo...
  • A UK SPC protecting lercanidipine has also come into force. This dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker for the treatment hypertension from Recordati...
  • Scotia Pharmaceutical’s UK SPC protecting a combination of lithium succinate and zinc sulphate has now lapsed...
  • A second SPC application attempting to protect duloxetine was published this week. This application from Boehringer Ingelheim relies on EP654264...
  • Japan Tobacco and Tularik can be seen collaborating on their second patent application disclosing diacylglcerol acyltransferase (DGAT) inhibitors...
Week 06:
  • This week’s Patents and Designs Journal (PDJ) from the UK Patent Office includes a notice to the effect that Boehringer Ingelheim has been granted a Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC/GB02/037) for a combination of telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). The angiotensin II antagonist
  • It is quite rare to find a patent application claiming new compounds which can be positively linked to a candidate already well into clinical development. However, that may be the case with a PCT application published this week in the name of Gedeon Richter, relating to carbamoyl cyclohexane derivatives with mixed dopamine D2 and D3 antagonist action
Week 05:
  • This weeks UK PDJ announces the grant of three UK SPCs assigned to both Chiron and Novo Nordisk. All three are based on the same patent, EP466199. They protect rurioctocog alfa, ocotocog alfa and moroctocog alfa...
  • Also published in the UK PDJ this week was notice that the UK SPC protecting Knoll’s flosequinan...
  • Notification of two UK SPC applications were also published this week. The first attempts to protect Naemis a combination of estradiol and nomegestrol from Theramex...
  • The second application is from Eli Lilly and covers its dual serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor duloxetine...
  • A ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal circuit against Merck & Co was given at the end of last week. After opposition by Teva...
  • DPP IV inhibitors, of which Novartis’ vildagliptin is the most advanced in development for diabetes treatment, in the main contain a cyanopyrrolidine moiety. GSK appears to be pursuing...
Week 04:
  • This weeks PDJ contained no UK SPC events, however we received the Japanese gazette for January which contained details of 4 granted patent extensions. Three of these were awarded to Novartis who gained 4 years 1 month and 25 days extension to JP6008278 for their veterinary drug valnemulin hydrochloride (Econor). IDEC Pharmaceutical Corp...
  • An opposition division of the European Patent Office ruled that EP705902 could be maintained in an amended form. This patent is assigned to Myriad Genetics, the University of Utah and the US Department of Health and Human Services. The patent protects Myriads...
  • This week Genaissance announced that it had obtained an exclusive license to technology from Vanderbilt University...
  • The grant of EP957914 to POZEN was announced this week. The patent covers the company’s MT-400 technology, a combination of 5-HT agonist and NSAID...
Week 03:
  • The UK PDJ for this week reports the entry into force on 26th December 2004 of the SPC for Boehringer Ingelheim’s anti-diabetes product, repaglinide, based on the expiry of EP147850. This is the product patent of repaglinide in its racemic form...
  • Warner-Lambert has a PCT application published this week relating to the isethionate salt of a specific CDK4 inhibitor first seen in WO03062236. Polymorphic forms of this potential anticancer drug are claimed, the implication being that Pfizer is now actively developing this candidate...
  • Organon is among the other originators engaged in incremental improvements to production technology for recognized candidates, claiming a process for the S(+)-isomer of mirtazapine, the established antidepressant 5-HT2 antagonist that is now in trials for insomnia. AstraZeneca is claiming a method for producing fine crystals of budesonide...
  • In addition, there is evidence of considerable innovative activity from the manufacturers of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and generic drug products. In Hungary, Biogal’s focus on the L-lysine salt of aztreonam seems to represent a geographical shift for the Teva Group’s efforts in this area, since production...
Week 02:
  • The grant of Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) to R-Tech Ueno and Altana is reported in this week’s Patents and Designs Journal (PDJ) from the UK Patent Office,...
  • IBM is the subject of conflicting news items in this week’s technical press. On the one hand IFI CLAIMS published its annual ranking of US patentees, which showed IBM clearly in the lead for 2004 with 3,277 patents issued during the year, some 67% more than its closest rival, Matsushita Electric Industrial...
  • Hospital cleaning standards have been the subject of an undignified political row in the UK this week, focusing on allegedly increased levels of nosocomial infections as a result of contracting-out of cleaning services to the private sector. There is a somewhat unexpected link with a PCT application appearing this week in the name of Julius-Maximilians University...
Week 01:
  • This weeks UK PDJ reported the expiry of the SPCs for leflunomide and ebastine, both on the 12th December. Leflunomide, marketed as Arava, is Aventis’ immunomodulatory agent approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis...
  • The Japanese gazette for December contained details of 12 extensions granted on 6 patents with a further 10 applications for extension on another 8 patents. Amongst the pharmaceutical extensions, Boehringer Ingelheim...
  • A team from the Novartis Research Foundation has thrown its hat into the erythropoietin ring this week, with a claim (filed via the “paper company” IRM LLC) on polypeptide agents that promote expression of erythropoietin...
  • As evidenced in one of this week’s published PCT applications, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have taken one of GSK’s protein kinase and cytokine suppression binding protein (CSBP)/p38 inhibitors and used it to treat HIV infection...
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