The United States District Court for the District of New Jersey has ruled that AstraZeneca's US patent protecting Pulmicort Respules in the US, is invalid.
The Court also said that the generic defendants involved in the litigation do not conflict AstraZeneca's second patent.
AstraZeneca North America division executive vice president Paul Hudson said that the company strongly disagrees with the Court's decision.
"AstraZeneca has full confidence in the strength of its intellectual property rights protecting PULMICORT RESPULES," Hudson added.
"AstraZeneca is considering next steps, including an appeal of the Court's decision."
The decision has no impact on the validity of patents related to Pulmicort Respules in other countries and is limited only to the US.
The patents protecting Pulmicort Respules expire in 2018, with pediatric exclusivity extending into 2019, according to the company.
