India's Supreme Court Dismisses Novartis AG Drug Patent Case

Swiss drug maker was seeking patent protection for a cancer drug

India's highest court has dismissed Swiss drug maker Novartis AG's petition seeking patent protection for a cancer drug, a serious blow to Western pharmaceutical firms which are increasingly focusing on India to drive sales.

In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court said on Monday that the drug Glivec failed to qualify for a patent according to Indian law.