Court Finds Method-of-Use Patent Invalid for Pfizer’s Bestselling Painkiller

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia struck down Pfizer’s method-of-use patent on its blockbuster painkiller, Celebrex. With the basic chemical patent set to lapse May 30, 2014, Phizer hoped the method-of-use patent would allow it to maintain market exclusivity on Celebrex through Dec. 2, 2015. Generic drug companies are eager to begin selling cheaper versions and whittle away at Phizer’s  $3 billion in annual sales from the drug.