U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to Confirm Patentability of Lipitor Basic Patent

Business Wire, April 30, 2008

NEW YORK -- Pfizer Inc announced today that the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office has issued a communication notifying the company that it will confirm the patentability of the claims of Pfizer's '893 basic patent for Lipitor. The Patent Office had conducted a re-examination of the '893 patent in response to a request by a law firm that represented the generic company Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited. The patent, which expires in March 2010 (including pediatric exclusivity), was previously the subject of litigation against Ranbaxy, in which Pfizer prevailed in both the trial and appeal courts.

The company noted that it is pleased with the decision, which affirms the company's position that the patent was properly granted.