title: Invalidation of Atorvastatin Patent Highlights Complex Chinese Patent Law.
abstract: Pfizer's atorvastatin (Lipitor) is a blockbuster drug for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In China, a critical polymorph patent of this drug has been recently invalidated by the Supreme People's Court for insufficiency of disclosure. Here, we discuss the particularities in patent litigation in China worth attention from the community.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan 350; Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan 300; School of Dentistry, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan 404. Electronic address: fcchen@nhri.org.tw.
authors.forename: Feng-Chi
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Taipei, Taiwan 114.
authors.forename: Kuo-Liang
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Yeh
mesh_terms: D000069059:Atorvastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D002681:China; D030881:Disclosure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D010330:Patents as Topic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000069059:Atorvastatin
keywords: atorvastatin; enablement; patent law of the People's Republic of China; sufficiency of disclosure; written description