The Oslo District Court in Norway ruled that a Pfizer patent covering an intermediate compound used to make atorvastatin, the active ingredient in Lipitor, would be infringed by the sale of Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.'s proposed generic atorvastatin product in Norway.

In response to the decision, Jeffrey B. Kindler, Pfizer's vice chairman and general counsel, said, "We are pleased with the court's decision, which is a victory not only for Pfizer, but for all innovators pursuing high-risk medical discoveries." Ranbaxy can appeal the decision, but it will not be able to market a product made using the patented intermediate compounds unless it prevails on appeal.

Separately, the court also ruled that another Pfizer patent, covering a process for converting crystalline atorvastatin to amorphous atorvastatin, is valid but not infringed by Ranbaxy in Norway, claims a company release.