Appeals Court Says Pfizer's Method of Use Patent Invalid
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Date: January 23, 2002 Refer to: (317) 277-8503 – Angela Sekston (Lilly) (425) 415-2207 - Lacy Fitzpatrick (ICOS) STATEMENT TO THE MEDIA UK Court of Appeal Rules in Lilly ICOS’ Favor: Appeals Court Says Pfizer’s Method of Use Patent Invalid Lilly ICOS LLC today announced that the UK Court of Appeal in London upheld a lower court’s ruling that found Pfizer’s entire “method of use” patent for PDE inhibitors to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) was invalid. This decision follows a December 2001 hearing in which Pfizer attempted to reinstate its method of use patent that was struck down by the High Court of Justice in London on November 8, 2000. Lilly ICOS offered the following statement regarding the decision: Lilly ICOS is pleased with the Court of Appeal’s decision. This ruling confirms what we have believed all along—that Pfizer's broad method of use patent was invalid. This decision makes it clear that Pfizer is not entitled to exclusivity in the field of ED in the UK. This decision is consistent with the decision of the Opposition Division of the European Patent Office which ruled last summer that Pfizer’s method of use patent was invalid. This decision leaves unaffected Pfizer’s compound patent for sildenafil. Lilly ICOS is investigating Cialis (tadalafil) for the treatment of sexual dysfunction. Requests for marketing approval of Cialis are currently under review by US and European regulatory agencies. Lilly ICOS LLC is a joint venture between ICOS Corporation (NASDAQ: ICOS) and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY). Eli Lilly and Company, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers – through medicines and information – for some of the world’s most urgent medical needs. ICOS Corporation is a product-driven company that has expertise in both protein-based and small molecule therapeutics. ICOS, located in Bothell, Wash., combines capabilities in molecular, cellular and structural biology, high throughput drug screening, medicinal chemistry and genomics to develop highly innovative products with significant commercial potential. The company applies its integrated approach to specific target areas where it has expertise. ICOS believes this strategy increases the chances of successfully developing commercial products. ICOS' disease targets include sexual dysfunction, sepsis, pulmonary hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. # # # This contains forward-looking statements about the potential of the investigational compound Cialis in treating male erectile dysfunction that reflect management's current beliefs. However, as with any pharmaceutical under development, there are risks and uncertainties in the process of development and regulatory review. There are no guarantees that future clinical trials will confirm the preliminary results reported in this release or that the product will receive regulatory approvals or prove to be commercially successful. In addition, new pharmaceutical products can face risks of intellectual property claims and product litigation. For further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings of ICOS and Lilly..