The generic makers won the patent dispute over an antiarthritis Bonviva (ibandronate) and now they are finally free from the risk of sales ban and damage compensation.

According to the pharmaceutical industry source on Mar. 23, the Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board issued a trial decision that the dosage regimen patent for Bonviva was invalid.

South Korean companies launched Bonviva generics in 2012. Sales continued for several years without special patent disputes. Roche owned the dosage regimen patent for the original Bonviva, but did not file a patent lawsuit at the time of the generic launch.

At the time, the Patent Court and the Supreme Court did not recog