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From Times of India | April 1, 2013
The Indian Supreme court has rejected the appeal of Novartis AG, a giant Swiss Pharma to patent its anti blood cancer Glivec also known as
imatinib. The drug is used vs leukemia and other forms of cancer. The Supreme Court said it grants to patent only to original invention.
Novartis was alleged to ever green its patent by introducing small innovations into its about to expire patent durgs. Novartis claims that only its salt version is stable and could be safely used for humans.
Novartis threatened not to ship new product offerings to India in case of unfavorable ruling.
Quarters fear that a ruling in favor of Novartis would undermine role of India in providing cheap
generic drugs to the world
