In a significant decision South Korean District court thwart patent evergreening attempt of Pfizer on Atorvastatin (Lipitor) in South Korea and held the patent invalid. The decision favored 5 generic companies, who were eagerly waiting for this decision.
Earlier, Korean Intellectual Property Tribunal (KIPT) in July 2007, ruled in favour of the local companies, which include Dong-A Pharma and Boryung Pharma . Although the original patent for the drug expired in May 2007, Pfizer extended it to 2013 by modifying the patent.
Now companies can sell Atorvastatin without any risk.
Further, Pfizer has announced that it will appeal against this decision in Supreme court
