UK Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Eli Lilly in Patent Infringement Case
Following last Friday's advance publication of the outcome of the case, the UK Supreme Court (UKSC) has today published the reasons for its decision in the long-running Actavis v. Eli Lilly case, ruling that Actavis's products infringe Lilly's patents in the UK, France, Italy and Spain. Lilly's patent concerns the safe and effective use of a cancer drug, pemetrexed, in co-therapy with vitamin B12. Actavis's proposed products differed only in relation to the salt form of the pemetrexed, it was argued. Actavis sought declarations of non-infringement in relation to the UK, French, German, Italian and Spanish patents in the UK courts. Actavis removed the German patent from the UK litigation in 2014. The Court of Appeal refused to grant the declarations sought by Actavis on the grounds that Actavis' proposed products would indirectly infringe Lilly's patent. However, the Court of Appeal found that the patent would not be directly infringed. Emma Fulton, one of the Hogan Lovells lawyers leading the case, commented: "Today's decision puts more emphasis on considering the invention in the patent when assessing whether a competitor infringes. It also brings UK law more closely in to line with the law in other key European countries." As well as overturning the Court of Appeal's decision on direct infringement, the Supreme Court has upheld the Court of Appeal's decision on indirect infringement.
Beyond the Prescription: Pharma's Role in Digital Health Conversations
April 1st 2025Join us for an insightful conversation with Jennifer Harakal, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Canopy Life Sciences, as we unpack the evolving intersection of social media and healthcare decisions. Discover how pharmaceutical companies can navigate regulatory challenges while meaningfully engaging with consumers in digital spaces. Jennifer shares expert strategies for responsible marketing, working with influencers, and creating educational content that bridges the gap between patients and healthcare providers. A must-listen for pharma marketers looking to build trust and compliance in today's social media landscape.
Beyond the Prescription: The Role Pharma Plays in Digital Health Conversations
April 1st 2025As social media continues to influence healthcare communication, it presents both challenges and opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry. In this interview, Jennifer Harakal of Canopy Life Sciences discusses balancing compliance with effective digital engagement to build trust and facilitate meaningful healthcare conversations.
