"Ranbaxy (UK) Ltd (RUKL) successfully overcame a court action brought in Britain by Abbott Laboratories (Abbott) to prevent Ranbaxy from the immediate release of Clarithromycin in Britain," a company statement said Monday.

The court agreed with the Ranbaxy argument that the specific patent claims asserted by Abbott were invalid and characterised it as "a weak patent". Abbott was also refused leave to appeal for a review of the judgement.

"Following the court's ruling, Ranbaxy has launched Clarithromycin in Britain," the release said.
 
--Indo-Asian News Service