Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) Korea said it has won a suit against domestic drugmakers over the composition-of-matter patent of Eliquis (ingredient: apixaban), a cardiovascular drug.

According to the company, the Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday recognized the validity of the Eliquis patent in the suit against local drug firms. Upon the decision, the court banned all kinds of patent infringement such as production, sales, and subscription of generic products.

The court’s ruling has made it almost impossible for rival companies to release generic copies of Eliquis soon, BMS Korea said.

“The Seoul Central District Court’s decision reasonably confirmed the validity of the drug patent. We hope that the pharmaceutical industry will further advance with this decision, which respected the rights to the innovative medicine and recognized its value,” the company said.

hwz@docdocdoc.co.kr

<© Korea Biomedical Review, All rights reserved.>