OXYGEN
14/06/2005, 14h22
Makers get leeway on drugs
By Julie Appleby, USA TODAY
The Supreme Court on Monday gave drug companies additional leeway in starting research into new drug treatments based on rivals' patents.
The ruling, which sets aside a lower court order, means drugmakers would not have to wait until patents expire to begin conducting basic research, the start of what is often a decade-long effort to bring a new drug to market.
"This provides broad protection to researchers so that needy patients get drugs quicker," says E. Joshua Rosenkranz, an attorney who argued the case before the court for drug firm Merck KGaA of Germany.
to be followed at http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/drugs/2005-06-14-scotus-drug-usat_x.htm
By Julie Appleby, USA TODAY
The Supreme Court on Monday gave drug companies additional leeway in starting research into new drug treatments based on rivals' patents.
The ruling, which sets aside a lower court order, means drugmakers would not have to wait until patents expire to begin conducting basic research, the start of what is often a decade-long effort to bring a new drug to market.
"This provides broad protection to researchers so that needy patients get drugs quicker," says E. Joshua Rosenkranz, an attorney who argued the case before the court for drug firm Merck KGaA of Germany.
to be followed at http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/drugs/2005-06-14-scotus-drug-usat_x.htm