Pfizer Lipitor Patent
In September 2004, the Public Patent Foundation filed a formal request with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to revoke Pfizer Inc.'s patent on Lipitor, touted by the pharmaceutical giant as being "the best-selling treatment for lowering cholesterol and the best-selling pharmaceutical product of any kind in the world." In its filing, PUBPAT submitted prior art showing the patent, which issued in October 1999 and is not otherwise due to expire until 2016, was anticipated by earlier work of other inventors and, as such, should have never been granted. The PTO granted PUBPAT's request in December 2004 and rejected the patent in June 2005. In November 2005, Pfizer conceded to give up its original broad claims.
- PUBPAT's Request for Reexamination of Pfizer's Lipitor Patent (PDF; 326KB)
- Patent Office Order Granting PUBPAT's Request for Reexamination of Pfizer's Lipitor Patent (PDF; 586KB)
- Patent Office Action Rejecting Pfizer's Lipitor Patent (PDF; 170KB
Related News
- November 29, 2005: PUBPAT RECEIVES SUBSTANTIAL VICTORY IN LIPITOR PATENT CHALLENGE: Pfizer Concedes to Give Up Original Broad Patent Claims
- June 22, 2005: PATENT OFFICE REJECTS LIPITOR PATENT ON PUBPAT'S REQUEST: Public Interest Group's Review Results in All 44 Claims of Pfizer's Patent on Multi-Billion Dollar Drug Ruled Invalid
- December 7, 2004: LIPITOR PATENT TO BE REEXAMINED AT PUBPAT'S REQUEST: Patent Office Agrees There is a "Substantial Question" Regarding Blockbuster Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Patent's Validity
- September 14, 2004: PUBPAT CHALLENGES LIPITOR PATENT TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH: Patent Office Shown Evidence Proving Blockbuster Cholesterol-Lowering Drug was Already Known