EU High Court Upholds $63 Million Fine Against AstraZeneca

Fine levied for lying on patent applications to member states in an effort to keep the generic version of an ulcer med off the market

Europe's highest court upheld a $63 million fine against pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca for blocking the generic version of its Losec ulcer medication in the EU marketplace.

The European Commission originally fined AstraZeneca $72 million in 2005, after finding that the company had deliberately lied to member state patent offices in an effort to extend its protection of Losec.