Gleevec is out of patent loop in India

Posted by rob on February 24, 2006 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

NEW DELHI: The controversy over the introduction of product patents for drugs has come full circle. Gleevec, the much sought-after cancer drug that has been the face of the campaign against the new WTO-compliant patent law, can now be made and sold at more affordable rates by Indian companies.

In its latest journal of February 17, the Indian Patent Office notified the termination of exclusive marketing right (EMR) granted two years ago to Swiss major Novartis for Gleevec.

This follows its decision on January 25, rejecting the application of Novartis for what could have been the first-ever product patent in India for a pharmaceutical drug. It was only last year that product patents were introduced in India for drugs and chemicals complying with the deadline imposed by Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

Novartis had been granted EMR for Gleevec in November 2003 in anticipation of the product patent regime that was due to be installed in India by January 1, 2005.

Relief: Cancer drug is out of patent loop- The Times of India