Novartis tanks 7% on losing patent battle over cancer drug Glivec

Mumbai: Shares of Novartis India today plunged nearly 7 percent to hit a one-year low level on the BSE, after the Supreme Court dismissed Novartis AG’s plea for getting its blood cancer drug patented in India.

Following the move, shares of the company tanked 6.79 percent to Rs 558.10-its 52-week low despite a positive opening at the BSE. Swiss pharma major Novartis AG today lost a seven-year long legal battle for getting its blood cancer drug Glivec patented in India and to restrain Indian companies from manufacturing generic drugs, with the Supreme Court rejecting the multinational company’s plea.

[caption id=“attachment_680733” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Novartis had approached the apex court in 2009 against the order of Chennai-based Intellectual Property Appellate Board. Reuters[/caption]

Novartis had approached the apex court in 2009 against the order of Chennai-based Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB), which had rejected its claim for patent. The multinational company (MNC) had applied for patent in 2006.

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Among other drug companies, shares of Natco Pharma were trading higher by 4.20 percent, while Cipla rose by 2.28 percent in the late morning trade.

PTI