Federal Courts begin to phase out the Suspension Period

By Jordana Sanft, Allyson Whyte Nowak, Judith Robinson and Brian R. Daley on June 23, 2020 Posted in Uncategorized

On June 11, 2020 the Federal Court (FC) and Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) published updated notices to gradually phase out the Suspension Period, which had previously been extended to June 15, 2020.

Federal Court

The FC’s June 11, 2020 Practice Direction and Order (Updated Order), amends its previous Practice Directions, which, subject to the amendments listed, continue to remain in force. The Updated Order provides for different procedures by region.

Ontario, Québec and the Territories

Suspension Period: Subject to the five exceptions listed in April 29^th practice direction, the Suspension Period is … Continue Reading

PMPRB launches consultation on revised Draft Guidelines

By Christopher A. Guerreiro, Kristin Wall and Brian R. Daley on June 21, 2020 Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences

On June 19, 2020, the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) launched its consultation on revised Draft Guidelines to implement the amended Patented Medicines Regulations. The revised Guidelines outline new price tests for existing and new patented medicines, as well as a revised risk-based system for reporting and investigations. They will be available for public comment until July 20, 2020.

Background

Amendments to the Patented Medicines Regulations are scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2021. These amendments are intended to lower the prices of patented medicines in Canada. They include: (1) new factors for … Continue Reading

Ontario lifts recommendation to limit prescription dispensing to 30 days’ supply

By John Greiss and Randy Sutton on June 17, 2020 Posted in Uncategorized

We previously reported on the Ontario government’s efforts to manage the risk of drug shortages in the early days of the pandemic. Those efforts included a recommendation that pharmacies dispense no more than a 30-days’ supply of medication to patients under the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program. Because the policy resulted in additional dispensing fees being charged to patients, the government took further regulatory action to ensure that patients would not be required to pay additional fees as a result of this policy.

On June 15th, 2020, the Drugs and Devices Division ended its recommendation that pharmacies dispense … Continue Reading

Federal Court determines that infringement action under PM(NOC) Regulations is not moot where trial proceeds after patent expiry

By Morgan Westgate, David Yi and Amy Grenon on June 8, 2020 Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences

On May 22, 2020, the Federal Court granted a motion seeking an order that the issue of infringement in an action brought pursuant to section 6 of the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (Regulations) would not be moot notwithstanding that the trial was set to proceed after the expiry of the relevant patent.

Background

Sandoz served a Notice of Allegation on AstraZeneca alleging non-infringement, invalidity and ineligibility for listing of AstraZeneca’s patent for saxagliptin tablets (marketed as ONGLYZA), being Canadian Patent No. 2,402,894 (894 Patent). AstraZeneca commenced an action against Sandoz seeking a declaration that … Continue Reading

PMPRB update: Amendments delayed, new Guidelines consultation announced, and judicial review heard

By Christopher A. Guerreiro and Kristin Wall on June 4, 2020 Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences

This week has seen a number of developments relating to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB), including a six-month delay to the implementation of amendments to the Patented Medicines Regulations and renewed consultation by the Board on revised Draft Guidelines to implement those amendments. Meanwhile, the Federal Court is now considering a judicial review of those amendments.

Amendments to the Patented Medicines Regulations delayed

The federal government has delayed the implementation of the Regulations Amending the Patented Medicines Regulations (Additional Factors and Information Reporting Requirements), which are now scheduled to come into force on January 1, … Continue Reading

Federal Courts Extend Suspension Periods to June 15

By Jordana Sanft, Allyson Whyte Nowak, Judith Robinson and Brian R. Daley on June 2, 2020 Posted in Uncategorized

The Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) and the Federal Court (FC) have extended their Suspension Periods to June 15, 2020.

Federal Court of Appeal

On May 28, 2020, the FCA issued a Notice to the Parties and the Profession extending the Suspension Period to June 15, 2020.

Federal Court

On May 29, 2020, the FC issued an updated Practice Direction and Order (FC Update), also extending the Suspension Period to June 15, 2020. Pursuant to the FC Update:

the Suspension Period is still subject to the five exceptions listed in the FC’s Practice Direction

Two PM(NOC) Actions Dismissed After Common Trial on Validity of Treatment Regimen Patent

By Paul Jorgensen, David Yi and Daniel Daniele on June 1, 2020 Posted in Intellectual property, Life sciences and healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences

The Federal Court has dismissed two infringement actions brought against defendants under subsection 6(1) of the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (Regulations), following a common trial on the validity of Canadian Patent No. 2,562,277 (277 Patent). The Court found that all the asserted claims – to uses for treating multiple sclerosis (MS) – were obvious and that some were anticipated. This is the third decision on the merits of an action under the Regulations since they were amended in September 2017. We previously reported on the first and second trial judgments.

The actions. … Continue Reading

Federal Court supports virtual trials for intellectual property actions

By Bianca Pietracupa and Brian R. Daley on May 27, 2020 Posted in Intellectual property, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences

The Federal Court of Canada has embraced virtual hearings as the best solution to the prolonged Covid-19 shutdown. While acknowledging some litigants’ concerns pertaining to procedural fairness and information security in recent rulings, the Court is more concerned that justice delayed can become justice denied.

Videoconferencing will not impede the Court’s ability to assess the credibility of witnesses

The unprecedented suspensions following Covid-19 saw some litigants facing lengthy suspensions mid-way through trial. In Rovi Guides, Inc. v Videotron Ltd., one party argued that it would be unfair to require some witnesses to testify remotely after other witnesses had testified … Continue Reading

Dosing regimen patent found valid and infringed in the second decision under the new PM(NOC) Regulations

By Shantelle LaFayette, Colin Hyslop and Brian R. Daley on May 27, 2020 Posted in Intellectual property, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences

In the second trial judgment under the new Patented Medicine (Notice of Compliance) Regulations, the Federal Court (FC) found for the Plaintiffs, Janssen Inc. and Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., and enjoined Teva Canada Limited (Teva) from making, constructing, using or selling paliperidone palmitate (paliperidone) in accordance with its abbreviated new drug submission. The Court rejected Teva’s argument that the claimed dosing regimens were obvious, as well as its arguments against direct infringement of certain of the claims.

Background

Paliperidone is marketed in Canada as INVEGA SUSTENNA and is used to treat schizophrenia and related … Continue Reading

FCA gives guidance for common PM(NOC) trials involving multiple actions

By Fortunat Nadima Nadima, Christopher A. Guerreiro, Judith Robinson and Jordana Sanft on May 25, 2020 Posted in Intellectual property, Pharmaceuticals and life sciences

The Federal Court of Appeal has reversed the Federal Court’s decision to add two additional generic defendants (Taro Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Sandoz Canada Inc.) to an upcoming common trial under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations. The common trial will determine patent validity issues in Bayer Inc.’s actions against Teva Canada limited and Apotex Inc. concerning generic versions of XARELTO® (rivaroxaban).

Background

This is an appeal by Teva and Apotex from a decision of the Federal Court allowing Taro and Sandoz to join Teva and Apotex in a trial of common validity issues. As we reported, the … Continue Reading