Actavis v Novartis: the Conor effect and technical obviousness
22-Jun-2009 | Life Sciences & Healthcare, Patents
Lawyers Matthew Royle
In Conor v Angiotech [2008] UKHL 49, the House of Lords decided that, contrary to decisions of the High Court and the Court of Appeal, Angiotech's patent for a taxol-eluting stent was not obvious. Lord Neuberger described the decision as 'a significant development in United Kingdom patent law'. First-instance judgments decided in the light of Conor are now being handed down. It is the interpretation of Conor in these judgemens that will give the first indication as to its true significance.
