Cipla gets US court order over patent infringement

Drug major Cipla today said it has received an order from a US district court that the sale of its animal healthcare product, 'PetArmor Plus', has infringed on the patent held by Merial.

"The company has received an order dated June 21, 2011, from a US District Court, Middle District of Georgia, against a petition filed by Merial Limited ruling that the sales of PetArmor Plus allegedly infringed a patent held by Merial Ltd," Cipla said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Future sales of PetArmor Plus have been suspended in the United States, it added.

The district court has stayed the above order for 60 days in order to enable the company to appeal, Cipla said, adding that it is in the process of filing an appeal against the order.

"There is no determination as yet by the court on the financial implication of the patent infringement," Cipla said.

Shares of Cipla closed at Rs 330.35 on the BSE today, down 0.47% from their previous close.

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