Sandoz v BMS/Pfizer & Teva v BMS/Pfizer [2022] EWHC 1831 (Pat)
Patent validity, obviousness, lack of a technical contribution
Apixaban, trade name ELIQUIS, is a successful drug for treating thromboembolic disorders. This trial concerned various patents from the same family relating to formulations of apixaban. Sandoz/Teva argued that the Patents are obvious over various prior art citations and/or lacked a technical contribution.
Meade J held that all the patents were held to be invalid for lack of an inventive step over one of the prior art citations.
Permission to appeal has been granted by the Court of Appeal.