Cefuroxime generics dispute

Apotex' request to preliminarily enjoin Ranbaxy from marketing generic versions of GlaxoSmithKline's Ceftin (cefuroxime axetil) rejected by a D.C. appeals court Nov. 26. The Federal Circuit upheld a ruling that Apotex failed to show a reasonable likelihood of success on the merits of its claim that Ranbaxy's manufacturing process infringes an Apotex patent under the doctrine of equivalents. Ranbaxy was the first Ceftin generic on the market in early 2002; Apotex' entry was delayed until July 2003 (1"The Pink Sheet" May 12, 2003, In Brief). A trial on GSK's patent infringement claims against Ranbaxy was held in Trenton, N.J. federal court during the summer; a decision is pending...