Shield Therapeutics PLC (LON:STX) has confirmed that the generics giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has withdrawn its patent challenge, which had gone to the appeal stage.
The company said this means European Patent No.2668175, which covers the "process for preparing an iron hydroxypyrone" has become final and that the patent will be maintained as amended on March 14 last year.
Additionally, Teva's ending of its opposition to European Patent No.3160951 ("crystalline forms of ferric maltol") means the patent is maintained as granted, providing protection out to October 2035.
In a statement, Shield’s general counsel, Lucy Huntington-Bailey, said: "We are delighted that the European Patent Office has decided not to continue proceedings following the withdrawal of the opposition by TEVA and saw no reason to amend the patent as originally granted.
“This publicly demonstrates the validity of the patent and the strength of defence that Shield provided to robustly defend its patents."
Shield is the developer of a stable, non-salt based orally taken treatment for adults with iron deficiency with or without anaemia called Feraccru here in the UK and Accrufer in the US.