The Helsinki Court of Appeal in Finland has granted a preliminary injunction against Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. that prohibits the manufacturer from marketing a generic version of Pfizer's Lipitor. The ruling involves Pfizer's patent (FI94958) that covers processes and intermediate compounds used to make atorvastatin, the active ingredient in Lipitor.

According to a Pfizer release, the decision reverses an earlier lower court ruling and, subject to a possible appeal to the Finnish Supreme Court, will remain in place during further judicial proceedings including a full patent infringement trial that has not yet been scheduled. The patent expires in February, 2009.

"This decision is another significant milestone in our defence of Lipitor patents around the world. It is also an important outcome for Pfizer and other medical innovators who invest in high-risk research to develop life-saving medicines for millions of patients," said Pfizer vice chairman and general counsel Jeffrey Kindler.