Invalidation of Atorvastatin Patent Highlights Complex Chinese Patent Law

Feng-Chi Chen; Kuo-Liang Yeh

doi:10.1016/j.tips.2016.08.004

Invalidation of Atorvastatin Patent Highlights Complex Chinese Patent Law

Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2016 Nov;37(11):883-886. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2016.08.004. Epub 2016 Sep 19.

Authors

Feng-Chi Chen¹, Kuo-Liang Yeh²

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan 350; Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan 300; School of Dentistry, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan 404. Electronic address: fcchen@nhri.org.tw.
² Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Taipei, Taiwan 114.

PMID: 27659855
DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2016.08.004

Abstract

Pfizer's atorvastatin (Lipitor) is a blockbuster drug for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In China, a critical polymorph patent of this drug has been recently invalidated by the Supreme People's Court for insufficiency of disclosure. Here, we discuss the particularities in patent litigation in China worth attention from the community.

Keywords: atorvastatin; enablement; patent law of the People's Republic of China; sufficiency of disclosure; written description.

MeSH terms

Atorvastatin / administration & dosage*
Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy
China
Disclosure / legislation & jurisprudence*
Humans
Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
Legislation, Drug
Patents as Topic / legislation & jurisprudence*

Substances

Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
Atorvastatin