Topic: Life sciences and healthcare

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Federal Court finds that Health Canada breached procedural fairness by relying on an undisclosed internal guidance document

Photo of John GreissPhoto of Paul JorgensenPhoto of Kristin WallBy John Greiss, Paul Jorgensen and Kristin Wall on Posted in Life sciences and healthcare
On August 8, 2023, the Federal Court overturned Health Canada’s decision that a cannabis product, Edison Jolts, was to be classified as edible cannabis and not cannabis extract.   The Court found that Health Canada had breached the duty of procedural fairness by relying on a product classification factor in an internal guidance document that Health … Continue reading

PMPRB Update: Consultation on Amendment to the Interim Guidance re New Medicines

Photo of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Kristin WallBy Christopher A. Guerreiro and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) has launched a 60-day consultation on proposed changes to the price-review process set out in its Interim Guidance of August 18, 2022 (Interim Guidance). The proposed changes would affect products classified as “New Medicines” with list prices that are below the median of prices in the basket of … Continue reading

The Ontario Superior Court dismisses a generic manufacturer’s claim for damages under section 8 of the PM(NOC) Regulations

Photo of William ChalmersPhoto of David YiPhoto of Allyson Whyte NowakBy William Chalmers, David Yi and Allyson Whyte Nowak on Posted in Damages, Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare
The Ontario Superior Court (ONSC) has dismissed a claim for damages under section 8 of the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (the Regulations) brought by Apotex Inc. (Apotex) for lost sales of its Apo-Atomoxetine product. The Court conducted a purposive interpretation of the Regulations and found that Apotex did not meet the statutory requirements … Continue reading

Supreme Court denies leave to appeal in generic Statute of Monopolies case

Photo of William ChalmersPhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of David YiBy William Chalmers, Christopher A. Guerreiro and David Yi on Posted in Damages, Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare
On April 27, 2023, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed an application by Apotex Inc. and Apotex Pharmachem Inc. (Apotex) for leave to appeal from a decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal (ONCA), dismissing its claim for damages in the Ontario courts under the Statutes of Monopolies and other novel causes of action. In the Courts below, Apotex … Continue reading

PMPRB Update: Federal Standing Committee on Health begins review of the Board

Photo of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Kristin WallBy Christopher A. Guerreiro and Kristin Wall on Posted in Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Standing Committee on Health (HESA) has begun a study on the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB). HESA is made up of 12 Members of Parliament representing the four main parties in the House of Commons. In connection with this study, HESA has conducted two meetings to ask questions of witnesses regarding the PMPRB: The events … Continue reading

Canada announces its first-ever national strategy for drugs for rare diseases

Photo of Sarah PenningtonPhoto of Paul JorgensenPhoto of Kristin WallBy Sarah Pennington, Paul Jorgensen and Kristin Wall on Posted in Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
On March 22, 2023, Canada’s federal government announced its first-ever National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases, including an investment of up to $1.5 billion over three years to help increase drug access and affordability.  Investments made as part of the National Strategy The lion’s share of the federal government’s investment – up to $1.4 … Continue reading

Higher costs awards coming to the Federal Court, including for pharma regulatory and IP disputes

Photo of Chelsea NimmoPhoto of Paul JorgensenPhoto of Kristin WallBy Chelsea Nimmo, Paul Jorgensen and Kristin Wall on Posted in Damages, Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
Higher costs awards for Federal Court litigation are on the horizon, with the Canadian government consulting on proposed amendments to the costs structure in the Federal Courts Rules (the Rules). The proposed amendments are intended to increase costs awards by approximately 25%.   The current costs regime Under the Rules, the Federal Courts can fix a … Continue reading

PMPRB Update: New Chairperson Appointed

Photo of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Kristin WallBy Christopher A. Guerreiro and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Governor in Council has appointed Thomas J. Digby as the new Chairperson of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB). According to the Government’s news release, “Mr. Digby is a lawyer with expertise in intellectual property and has an extensive educational background in the Biological Sciences” and has been appointed for a term of five … Continue reading

Pharma in Brief: The 2022 Year in Review

Photo of William ChalmersPhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Paul JorgensenPhoto of Kristin WallBy William Chalmers, Christopher A. Guerreiro, Paul Jorgensen and Kristin Wall on Posted in Damages, Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
Does 2022 already seem like a blur? The Pharma in Brief team is here for you with a summary of some of 2022’s most significant legal and regulatory developments in the Canadian pharmaceutical space. We also flag what to watch out for in 2023.    The most significant legislative changes concerned the Patent Act and … Continue reading

Health Canada consulting on wide-ranging regulatory amendments for drugs and medical devices

Photo of John GreissPhoto of Paul JorgensenPhoto of Kristin WallBy John Greiss, Paul Jorgensen and Kristin Wall on Posted in Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
Health Canada has launched a consultation on proposed amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations and Medical Devices Regulations (the Regulatory Amendments). Consultation on the Regulatory Amendments, which have been published in the Canada Gazette, Part 1, is open until March 27, 2023. The Regulatory Amendments build upon the regulatory flexibilities introduced in the Interim … Continue reading

Federal Court of Appeal overturns judicial review decision in data protection dispute

Photo of William ChalmersPhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Kristin WallBy William Chalmers, Christopher A. Guerreiro and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) has overturned a decision of the Federal Court (FC) that found the Minister of Health’s (Minister) analysis of the data protection provisions of the Food and Drug Regulations unreasonable. The FCA restored the Minister’s decision granting an NOC to Médunik Canada (Médunik) for its amifampridine product, RUZURGI. Background Catalyst … Continue reading

Ontario introduces biosimilar transition policy

Photo of Sarah PenningtonPhoto of Paul JorgensenPhoto of Kristin WallBy Sarah Pennington, Paul Jorgensen and Kristin Wall on Posted in Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
On December 20, 2022, the government of Ontario announced a new policy to expand the use of biosimilar drugs in the province. Patients receiving coverage under the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program for eight originator biologic drugs will be required to transition to the biosimilar version by December 29, 2023.  During the transition period from … Continue reading

Federal Court of Appeal issues decision in industry challenge to the PMPRB Patented Medicines Regulations

Photo of Orestes PasparakisPhoto of Kristin WallPhoto of Rowan WeaverPhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroBy Orestes Pasparakis, Kristin Wall, Rowan Weaver and Christopher A. Guerreiro on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
On December 5, 2022, the Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) upheld the validity of changes to the list of countries used for international reference pricing by the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB). This new schedule of countries, known as the PMPRB11, removes the United States and Switzerland while adding six lower-price jurisdictions.[i] The FCA … Continue reading

PMPRB issues excessive price order on rare disease drug

Photo of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Kristin WallBy Christopher A. Guerreiro and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) has issued a decision that Procysbi (cysteamine bitartrate) is being sold at an “excessive” price. The PMPRB ordered the manufacturer, Horizon Pharma PLC (Horizon), to reduce its price and pay excess revenues to the Crown. In its decision, the Board applied the Guidelines to determine the price ceiling … Continue reading

Generic not required to address Patent Register when reference innovator drug is no longer marketed in Canada

Photo of Sarah PenningtonPhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Kristin WallBy Sarah Pennington, Christopher A. Guerreiro and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
On August 17, 2022, the Federal Court dismissed applications for judicial review regarding the product-specificity requirements for addressing patents listed on the Patent Register under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (the Regulations). Background This case concerns biosimilar presentations of an AbbVie Corporation and AbbVie Biotechnology Ltd. (collectively, AbbVie) product, HUMIRA (adalimumab), sought to … Continue reading

PMPRB round-up: report on current reforms

Photo of Kristin WallPhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroBy Kristin Wall and Christopher A. Guerreiro on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
In this post, we summarize the current status of reforms to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB). These reforms commenced with August 2019 amendments to the Patented Medicines Regulations (the Amendments) and accompanying changes to the Board’s Guidelines. Background of the proposed reforms The Amendments were intended to lower the prices of patented medicines … Continue reading

ONCA Confirms Generics Limited to Section 8 Damages in the Face of an Innovator’s Legitimate Exercise of Rights under the PM(NOC) Regulations

Photo of Allyson Whyte NowakPhoto of David YiPhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroBy Allyson Whyte Nowak, David Yi and Christopher A. Guerreiro on Posted in Damages, Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
On August 16, 2022, the Ontario Court of Appeal (ONCA) released its decision in Apotex Inc. v. Eli Lilly Canada Inc., 2022 ONCA 587.  The ONCA denied Apotex’s appeal of a lower court summary judgement decision that dismissed Apotex’s novel claims under the UK and Ontario Statutes of Monopolies, the Trademarks Act, and at common law (see … Continue reading

Federal Court of Appeal upholds decision invalidating claims to multiple sclerosis treatment regimen

Photo of Paul JorgensenPhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Kristin WallBy Paul Jorgensen, Christopher A. Guerreiro and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) has dismissed appeals concerning two actions brought under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (Regulations), confirming the Federal Court (FC) holding that claims to uses of the molecule fampridine were invalid. The FCA’s decision provides guidance on claims construction and analyzing obviousness, while pointedly refusing to endorse the FC’s … Continue reading

FCA upholds selection patent protecting apixaban and rejects that a second patented invention was obvious to try

Photo of Pardeep HeirPhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Kristin WallBy Pardeep Heir, Christopher A. Guerreiro and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) has dismissed an appeal concerning four actions related to the molecule apixaban under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (Regulations). The Federal Court (FC) found the patents at issue to be valid. Background Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Co. (BMS) markets ELIQUIS® (apixaban) in Canada for the treatment of thrombosis. … Continue reading

2022 Guide to Canada’s Pharmaceutical Intellectual Property Regime

Photo of William ChalmersPhoto of Kristin WallBy William Chalmers and Kristin Wall on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
Our 2022 Guide to Canada’s Pharmaceutical Intellectual Property Regime is a convenient all-in-one reference to the important legal and regulatory regimes governing pharmaceuticals in Canada. The Guide provides a detailed review of the key regimes, including: Data protection market exclusivity; The Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (PMNOC), linking generic market access to patent rights; … Continue reading

Federal Court finds generic would induce infringement of combination therapy patent

Photo of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Kristin WallPhoto of Pharma in Brief teamBy Christopher A. Guerreiro, Kristin Wall and Pharma in Brief team on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Federal Court has allowed a second infringement action concerning a macitentan product under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (the Regulations). The Court found that the defendant would induce infringement of claims relating to combination treatment if it were allowed to market its macitentan product. Background Janssen Inc. markets OPSUMIT® (macitentan) to treat patients … Continue reading

Government of Canada invests in clinical trial development in Canada through the Clinical Trials Fund

Photo of Sarah PenningtonPhoto of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Kristin WallBy Sarah Pennington, Christopher A. Guerreiro and Kristin Wall on Posted in Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
On June 22, 2022, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) announced the launch of the Clinical Trials Fund (CTF), which will inject funding into Canada’s clinical trials environment. The government’s goals include reinforcing Canada’s clinical trials infrastructure so as to improve the health and safety of all Canadians while also ensuring that Canada is … Continue reading

Federal Court finds a combination therapy patent valid and infringed

Photo of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Kristin WallPhoto of Pharma in Brief teamBy Christopher A. Guerreiro, Kristin Wall and Pharma in Brief team on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Federal Court has allowed an infringement action concerning a macitentan product under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (the Regulations). The Court dismissed allegations that the asserted patent claims were invalid for obviousness, lack of utility, overbreadth, and insufficiency of disclosure. Background Janssen Inc. (Janssen) markets OPSUMIT® in Canada for the treatment of pulmonary arterial … Continue reading

Federal Court finds salt patent valid in a PM(NOC) action regarding sitagliptin

Photo of Christopher A. GuerreiroPhoto of Brian R. DaleyPhoto of Pharma in Brief teamBy Christopher A. Guerreiro, Brian R. Daley and Pharma in Brief team on Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
The Federal Court has allowed an infringement action concerning sitagliptin phosphate monohydrate products under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (the Regulations). The Court dismissed allegations of obviousness and insufficiency, and it found the asserted claims to be valid and infringed. In reaching its decision, the Court provided substantive guidance on hearsay evidence in infringement … Continue reading
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