The U.S. Supreme Court early this week overturned a Court of Appeals ruling that invalidated a patent by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. on a multi-sclerosis drug (Copaxone), offering the drug manufacturer a chance to stall generic competitors.
The court ruling gives new life to Teva’s ability to prevent competitors from making headway into the Copaxone market until the patent expiration this September.
It also serves as another rebuke by the SC to the Federal Circuit, a special court that listens to a bulk of the country’s patent appeals.
In the past few years, as patents are playing a bigger role in the country’s economy, the Supreme Court has dealt with numerous patent appeals and overturned many rulings from the Federal Court.
In a 7-2 decision made by the court, Justice Stephen Brever said the Federal Circuit needs to be deferential in studying determinations done by trial judges who look into patent infringement cases.
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