EPO upholds Copaxone patent

Teva has successfully defended a patent for its multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) in Europe.

The European Patent Office (EPO) ruled in its favour following oppositions to its European patent by Synthon BV, Mylan and an unidentified third party.

Opposition proceedings were brought on September 6, 2012 over the patent, EP 2 177 528, which is due to expire in September 2025.

However, today, May 28, pharmaceutical company Teva said the EPO “specifically determined” that claims 1-12 of the patent are valid.

The ruling means generic versions of Copaxone will not be able to launch before the patent’s expiry date.

“Teva will continue to vigorously defend its Copaxone IP rights against infringement wherever they are challenged,” the company said in a statement.

Teva's US patent for Copaxone expired last week but no company has obtained US Food and Drug Administration approval to sell a generic version to date.