Nycomed and Pfizer Inc confirmed that a jury in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey has rendered positive findings in a trial involving the main US patent covering pantoprazole (Protonix).

“We are pleased with the jury's findings. The jury held that the patent was not invalid, rejecting allegations by several generic companies that the patent was obvious. Legal issues remain to be decided by the presiding judge, United States District Judge Jose L Linares. The final decision of the court could be appealed. If we are successful at the end of this process, we will be seeking the full measure of our damages,” according to company release.

The pantoprazole patent, US Patent No. 4,758,579, is owned by Nycomed and licensed to Wyeth, and expires in January 2011 (including pediatric exclusivity). Nycomed and Wyeth had filed their patent infringement lawsuit against Teva and Sun Pharma in May 2004.

Protonix (Pantoprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to reduce or prevent the production of gastric acid.

Nycomed is a privately owned global pharmaceutical company with a differentiated portfolio focused on branded medicines in gastroenterology, respiratory and inflammatory diseases, pain, osteoporosis and tissue management.