Teva Announces UK High Court Gives Positive Judgment in the Company’s Patent Case Against AstraZeneca
Court Decision Invalidating AZ's Patent Supports Teva’s Launch of DuoResp Spiromax® in UK
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., (NYSE:TEVA) today announced that a positive judgment has been given by the UK High Court in support of Teva's case against AstraZeneca relating to the validity of EP 1,085,877 covering the SMART (Single inhaler Maintenance And Reliever Therapy) indication for AstraZeneca's fixed dose formoterol/budesonide combination product, Symbicort®.
The Court agreed with Teva that AstraZeneca’s patent covering the SMART indication of Symbicort® was obvious, and rejected AstraZeneca's proposed amendments to the patent on the basis that they added matter. The case was brought to facilitate Teva's European launch of its formoterol/budesonide fixed combination product, DuoResp Spiromax® which utilizes Teva's innovative Spiromax® device technology.
“Our DuoResp Spiromax® product brings effective treatment to the patient in a device that is intuitive and easy to use," said Rob Koremans, MD, President and CEO, Teva Global Specialty Medicines. “Yesterday's judgment is a big step in enabling us to make a difference to people’s lives in the UK and all across Europe.”
This is the latest decision in Teva's favor in respect of AstraZeneca's fixed dose, formoterol/budesonide combination product. The Teva Group has previously successfully revoked patents EP 0,613,371 and also, EP 1,014,993, covering the use of the fixed dose combination in the treatment of asthma and in COPD respectively, and their national equivalents, before the European Patent Office and the Norwegian court.
About Teva
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA) is a leading global pharmaceutical company, committed to increasing access to high-quality healthcare by developing, producing and marketing affordable generic drugs as well as innovative and specialty pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Headquartered in Israel, Teva is the world's leading generic drug maker, with a global product portfolio of more than 1,000 molecules and a direct presence in approximately 60 countries. Teva's Specialty Medicines businesses focus on CNS, respiratory, oncology, pain, and women's health therapeutic areas as well as biologics. Teva currently employs approximately 45,000 people around the world and reached $20.3 billion in net revenues in 2013.
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