Federal Court of Australia
FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA Sun Pharma ANZ Pty Ltd v Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co Ltd [2025] FCA 44 File number(s):
Judgment of: DOWNES J
Date of judgment: 5 February 2025
Catchwords: PATENTS – patent for controlled release aripiprazole formulations and methods for preparing and using such formulations – validity of extension of term of patent – validity of claims – whether pharmaceutical substance per se – whether pharmaceutical substance can include formulations – whether formulations can only include substances which have therapeutic use – whether pharmaceutical substances fall within scope of claims within meaning of s 70(2) Patents Act 1990 (Cth) – whether goods on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods take all of the features of the pharmaceutical substance as required by s 70(3) Patents Act 1990 (Cth) PATENTS – whether claims limited by result – validity of claims – whether claims should be revoked for lack of clarity and lack of definition – s 40(2)(b) Patents Act 1990 (Cth) – s 40(3) Patents Act 1990 (Cth)
Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Sch 2 (Australian Consumer Law) s 18 Patents Act 1990 (Cth) ss 40(2)(b), 40(3), 70, 70(2), 70(3), 78, 192
Albany Molecular Research Inc v Alphapharm Pty Ltd (2011) 90 IPR 457; [2011] FCA 120 Alphapharm Pty Ltd v H Lundbeck A/S (2014) 254 CLR 247; [2014] HCA 42 Austal Ships Sales Pty Ltd v Stena Rederi Aktiebolag (2008) 77 IPR 229; [2008] FCAFC 121 Axent Holdings Pty Ltd t/a Axent Global v Compusign Australia Pty Ltd (2020) 154 IPR 431; [2020] FCA 1373 BlueScope Steel Ltd v Dongkuk Steel Mill Co, Ltd (No 2) (2019) 152 IPR 195; [2019] FCA 2117 Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH v Commissioner of Patents (2001) 112 FCR 595; [2001] FCA 647 Boehringer Ingelheim International v Commissioner of Patents (2000) AIPC 91-670; [2000] FCA 1918 Cipla Australia Pty Ltd v Novo Nordisk A/S [2024] FCA 1414 Commissioner of Patents v AbbVie Biotechnology Ltd (2017) 253 FCR 436; [2017] FCAFC 129 Commissioner of Patents v Ono Pharmaceutical Company Ltd (2022) 291 FCR 1; [2022] FCAFC 39 Flexible Steel Lacing Company v Beltreco Ltd (2000) 49 IPR 331; [2000] FCA 890 General Tire & Rubber Co v Firestone Tyre and Rubber Co Ltd (1971) 1A IPR 121 GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Investments (Ireland) (No 2) Ltd v Apotex Pty Ltd (2016) 119 IPR 1; [2016] FCA 608 H Lundbeck A/S v Alphapharm Pty Ltd (2009) 177 FCR 151; [2009] FCAFC 70 Cases cited: Hicks v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs [2003] FCA 757 Interlego AG v Toltoys Pty Ltd (1973) 130 CLR 461 Meat & Livestock Australia Ltd v Cargill, Inc (2018) 129 IPR 278; [2018] FCA 51 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp v Sandoz Pty Ltd (2022) 291 FCR 26; [2022] FCAFC 40 Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company v Beiersdorf (Australia) Limited (1980) 144 CLR 253 Nesbit Evans Group Australia Pty Ltd v Impro Ltd (1997) 39 IPR 56 Novartis AG v Pharmacor Pty Limited (No 3) [2024] FCA 1307 Pharmacia Italia SpA v Mayne Pharma Pty Ltd (2005) 66 IPR 84; [2005] FCA 1078 Pharmacia Italia SpA v Mayne Pharma Pty Ltd (2006) 69 IPR 1; [2006] FCA 305 Prejay Holdings Ltd v Commissioner of Patents (2003) 57 IPR 424; [2003] FCAFC 77 Rescare Ltd v Anaesthetic Supplies Pty Ltd (1992) 25 IPR 119 Sigma Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Ltd v Wyeth (2011) 119 IPR 194; [2011] FCAFC 132 Spirit Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd v Mundipharma Pty Ltd (2013) 216 FCR 344; [2013] FCA 658 Vald Pty Ltd v KangaTech Pty Ltd (No 5) [2024] FCA 333 Vehicle Monitoring Systems Pty Limited v SARB Management Group Pty Ltd trading as Database Consultants Australia (No 8) [2023] FCA 182
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