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Patent application for atazanavir denied:
August 16, 2007. Indian Patent Office rejects application for patent foratazanavir. Click here for the notice.
Novartis challenges Patent Act:
Novartis had challenged a provision in India's patent law that prohibits the patenting of small changes to known inventions. According to Novartis' challenge, this provision violated section 3(d) of India's constitution, and was not compliant with the TRIPS agreement. On August 6, 2007, the Madras High Court rejected Novartis' case. Statements on the court ruling are below. For earlier information about the case, please see the CPTech Page on India.
Text of the Madras High Court Judgement
NGO Documents
August 6, 2007. KEI Statement on the Novartis Lawsuit in India.
August 6, 2007. Affordable Medicine and Treatment Campaign of India's Lawyers' Collective. Madras High Court Dismisses Novartis' Challenge to the Indian Patent Law.
August 6, 2007. MSF press release. Indian Court Ruling in Novartis Case Protects India as the "Pharmacy of the Developing World."
August 6, 2007. Joint press release from Oxfam, CARE, and the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance. Indian ruling against pharmaceutical giant Novartis a victory for public health, say leading aid and advocacy agencies.
August 6, 2007. Statement from church leaders. Society’s priority must be people’s health: Church leaders hail verdict on Novartis case in India.
August 6, 2007. Brook Baker for Health GAP. Novartis Press Release on Its Defeat in India Lies Again.
Industry Documents
August 6, 2007. Novartis press release. Novartis concerned Indian court ruling will discourage investments in innovation needed to bring better medicines to patients.
August 6, 2007. International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations. Chennai Court Ruling: India’s Innovative Potential Continues to be Stifled by Its Poor Patent Law.