The Federal Court of Canada has reversed a lower court ruling in respect of Pfizer's enantiomer patent and issued an order prohibiting regulatory approval of Ranbaxy's product in Canada until Pfizer's enantiomer (calcium salt) patent-Canadian Patent No. 2,021,546-expires in July 2010.

"This decision sends a strong signal about the importance of protecting intellectual property in Canada, which provides the incentive for research-driven pharmaceutical companies to make the significant high-risk investments necessary to develop new life-saving medicines," said Pfizer senior vice president and associate general counsel Peter Richardson. "The court's ruling is not only an important one for Pfizer, but also for patients."

Ranbaxy may seek a review of the decision by the Supreme Court of Canada.