LONDON (AP) — AstraZeneca PLC says it’s reviewing its options — including litigation — after a Canadian court ruling that paves the way for approval of a generic copy of its Nexium ulcer medicine.
Astra said Thursday that the Federal Court of Canada has dismissed its request to stop the health ministry from approving a rival drug from Apotex Inc.
The ruling means that the health ministry is now free to issue approval to Apotex before the expiry of Nexium’s Canadian patents.
Astra says it will continue to “vigorously defend” its intellectual property for Nexium and its options include initiating a comprehensive patent infringement action.
