Singapore: The US Supreme Court declined a request from Teva Pharmaceutical for a stay of an appeals court ruling that would void patent protection for its $4 billion-a-year multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone in 2014, rather than in 2015.
In July, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a decision related to a case involving Teva against two firms developing cheaper generic forms of Copaxone, including one with Novartis and Momenta Pharmaceuticals; and another between Mylan and Natco Pharma.
The appearance of cheaper generic versions of Copaxone would give Teva far less time to switch patients to the newer drug before generics of the original become an option.
Teva had asked chief justice Mr John Roberts to stay the ruling while the company prepares to file a petition seeking the high court's review. Mr Roberts rejected the request and did not provide further explanation.
