The Indian generics company, Cipla, has grabbed the headlines not once but twice over the last few weeks for pushing the generic cause onwards and leaving big pharma feeling the effects in its wake. Cipla’s first victory has been described as a “landmark” judgment as the High Court in Delhi dismissed Roche’s claim that Cipla’s drug, Erlocip, had infringed its patented drug, Tarceva. This landmark case further secures India’s reputation as the home and safe haven for generics.
Not being happy to stop there, Cipla’s 2008 challenge of Pfizer Inc’s patent application in India for a cancer drug, Sutent, has been successful on the basis that the drug failed to satisfy the inventive step criteria. With Cipla marketing a generic of Sutent, named Sunitib, this marks a big step for Indian generic companies against big pharma and further imbeds India’s protection for what is fast becoming a very successful territory for the generics industry.