T 0226/98 (Famotidine/RICHTER GEDEON) of 7.2.2001

European Case Law Identifier: ECLI:EP:BA:2001:T022698.20010207
Date of decision: 07 February 2001
Case number: T 0226/98
Application number: 87306882.9
IPC class: C07D 277/48
Language of proceedings: EN
Distribution: A
Download and more information:
Decision text in EN (PDF, 974 KB)
Documentation of the appeal procedure can be found in the Register
Bibliographic information is available in: EN
Versions: OJ | Published
Title of application: Morphologically homogenous forms of famotidine and processes for their preparation
Applicant name: RICHTER GEDEON VEGYESZETI GYAR R.T.
Opponent name: Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Board: 3.3.01
Headnote: -
Relevant legal provisions:
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 84
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 123(2)
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 123(3)
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 54(1)
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 54(2)
European Patent Convention 1973 R 57a
Keywords: Main request: clarity (no) - obscurity of delimiting feature
Catchwords:

1. In a claim related to a product as such (here: famotidine form "B"), the feature "as a pharmaceutical product" for defining a pharmaceutical standard of purity renders said claim unclear in the absence of a generally accepted quantitative definition for the purported standard of purity. Nor can this expression be considered to be a commonly accepted functional feature as no clear definition can be derived therefrom (see point 7.2 of the reasons).

2. As purity standards are likely to change with time for a number of reasons (e.g. new manufacturing process, new or improved analytical tools, change of criteria for obtaining a marketing authorization), it remains obscure what is considered to be the required product quality when defined by the feature "as a pharmaceutical product" (see point 7.3 of the reasons).

Cited decisions:
G 0009/91
G 0001/92
G 0009/92
T 0012/81
T 0181/82
T 0303/94
T 0401/95
T 0728/98
Citing decisions:
T 0381/02
T 1772/09

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Offical Journal of the EPO

Case Law Book: II Conditions to be met by an Application

Case Law of the Enlarged Board

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