After settling with Ranbaxy on Lipitor (Atorvastatin hemicalcium trihydrate), Pfizer has settled all pending patent litigation with Candian pharma giant Apotex (for Canadian market). Pfizer reported the above settlement as per information filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Pfizer said they agreed to settle with Apotex in July, but did not disclose terms of the agreement. Pfizer said the settlement agreement is subject to certain conditions.
Earlier in January 2008, a Canadian Federal Court denied Pfizer's request to prevent Apotex from launching a generic version of Lipitor prior to the expiration of a Pfizer patent in July 2010. On January 3, 2008, Pfizer appealed the decision to the Federal Court of Appeal of Canada.
Further, Apotex like Ranbaxy thought of certainty of Atorvastatin generic launch in Canada without the fear litigation and treble damages on process, polymorph, formulation and intermediate patents with Pfizer.
Lipitor is the best examples of patent protection by innovator Pfizer. Importantly, Pfizer has snubbed the generic challenge till product patent expiry in US and Canada.
Earlier news of Ippharmadoc on lipitor Here
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