The Division Bench of the Bombay High Court by its recent order [see end note 1] dated 15th July, 2014 upheld the order of the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) [see end note 2] dated 4th March, 2013 granting a compulsory license to Natco Pharmaceuticals (Natco) under Section 84 of the Patents Act, 1970 (the Act). The compulsory license was granted to Natco to manufacture and sell Bayer Corporation's (Bayer) patented anti-cancer drug, Sorafenib Tosylate sold under the brand name Nexavar. The IPAB and the Controller General (CG) had previously allowed the application filed by Natco for grant of compulsory license.
Brief background of the orders of Controller General and IPAB
On refusal by Bayer to grant a voluntary license to manufacture and sell the drug Nexavar in India, Natco applied to the CG for grant of a compulsory license over the patented drug under Section 84(1) of the Act. On hearing both parties, the CG allowed Natco's application on the ground that the reasonable requirement of the public in India was not met and that the patented invention is not available to the public. With regard to the ground under Section 84(1)(c) of the Act, that the patented invention is not worked in the territory of India, the CG interpreted “worked in the territory of India ” to mean “manufactured to a reasonable extent in India”.
On appeal, the IPAB upheld the CG's order though it differed with the CG on the interpretation of the term "worked in the territory of India" under Section 84(1)(c) of the Act. It opined that the requirement of working of the patented drug in India does not necessarily mean that the drug ought to be manufactured in India. The requirement could also be fulfilled by importing the patented drug to India.
Issues before the Division Bench of the Bombay High Court
- Whether Bayer has satisfied the reasonable requirements of the public under Section 84(1)(b) of the Act?
- Whether the patented drug is available to the public at a reasonably affordable price?
- Whether the patented drug has been worked in the territory of India?
- Whether the terms and conditions for grant of compulsory license were proper under Section 90 of the Act?
Bombay High Court's reasoning and judgment - Reasonable requirement of the public
Burden of proof
Bayer argued that the initial burden to make out a prima facie case for grant of a compulsory license is on Natco and that Natco had failed to do so. The Bench observed that the initial burden is on the applicant who makes an application for compulsory license to show that a prima facie case is made out. Rejecting Bayer’s argument the Bench observed that once the CG is satisfied of such a prima facie case, the patentee is required to establish with facts in its possession that the reasonable requirement of the public is satisfied.
Quantum of drug required by the public
The Bench observed that it was not possible to determine the reasonable requirement of the public without ascertaining the exact quantum of the patented drug required by the public and since this exercise cannot be carried out on a mathematical basis , it has to be determined based on the evidence provided by the parties. Before the previous forums, the parties relied upon the Globocan 2008 figures to determine the incidence of patients suffering from cancer in India. The Bench took into consideration Bayer's Country Medical Director's affidavit which clearly illustrated that the quantum of drugs sold was not in consonance with the quantum of patients requiring said drug.
Infringer's supply
In response to Bayer's contention that supplies by infringers of the patented drug is to be taken into account to determine the satisfaction of the reasonable requirement test; the Bench held that the obligation to meet the reasonable requirement of the public is on the patentee, either alone or through his licensees. The Bench agreed with the reasoning of the IPAB that in filing form 27 under the Act on a yearly basis for showing working of the patent in India, Bayer had not included Cipla's sale of the patented drug.
Interpretation of "Adequate Extent"
The Bench also analyzed the interpretation of the term "adequate extent" under the deeming fiction in Section 84(7) of the Act, which states that the reasonable requirement of the public is not satisfied if the demand for the patented article is not met to an adequate extent. The Bench differentiated the test for 'adequate extent' with respect to medicines and luxury articles. With regard to medicines, the Bench held that the adequate extent test has to be 100%, i.e. to the fullest extent. The Bench, referring to the Doha Declaration 2001 held that adequate extent for medicines had to be interpreted as medicines to be made available to every patient and in the instant case, Bayer did not meet the requirements of all the patients.
Reasonably affordable price
Bayer contended that under Section 90(1)(iii) of the Act, there exists an obligation on the Controller to determine the reasonably affordable price of the patented drug. The Bench however held that the Act does not bestow any such powers of investigation on the authorities to determine the reasonable affordable price of the patented drug. The evidence led by parties would form the basis of determining reasonably affordable prices and it has to be determined on the basis of the relative price being offered by the patent holder and the applicant after hearing other interested parties opposing the application. While Bayer sold the drug at Rs. 2,84,000/- for a month's therapy, Natco was offering the same drug at Rs. 8,800/- for a month's therapy. Hence, the Bench held that Bayer did not sell the drug at a reasonably affordable price.
Adverse inference against Bayer
In response to the assertion, that the price of the patented drug should also cover the costs incurred in respect of research and development on failed drugs, the Bench held that under Section 90(1) of the Act, only the expenditure incurred for research and development on the patented drug ought to be taken into account. Natco asserted that Bayer failed to produce audited accounts to establish the amount spent on research and development. Further, Nexavar is classified as an orphan drug [see end note 3] in the U.S.A and thus Bayer is entitled to be reimbursed either by tax credit or otherwise to an extent of 50% of its costs incurred on research and development of the patented drug. Bayer did not reveal the quantum of reimbursement received. The Bench upheld the order of the IPAB and the Controller that the patented drug was not made available to the public at a reasonably affordable price.
Importance of PAP Schemes
Bayer argued that schemes such as Patient Assistance Program (PAP) whereby if a patient buys three dosages (12 tablets) of Nexavar, the remaining tablets (108 tablets) for the month are given free of cost, suggests that the patented drug was available to the public at a reasonably affordable price. Natco responded that the special price under PAP was only given to particular patients on the recommendation of the doctor and at the discretion of Bayer. The Bench held that under Section 84(1)(b) of the Act, the patented drug should be available to any member of the public at a reasonably affordable price and not an exceptional price like PAP.
Worked in the territory of India
Bayer argued that in light of Article 27 of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) there can be no discrimination in respect of a patented product whether legally manufactured or imported and the patented drug Nexavar has been worked in India. In Form 27 wherein the patent holder has to provide details under two heads, namely, manufacture in India and imported from other countries and thus working the patent product in the territory of India does not exclusively mean manufacture of the patented product in India.
The Bench referring to Section 83 of the Act held that some efforts to manufacture in India should be made by the patent holder. Referring to Form 27, the Bench agreed with the interpretation by the IPAB that whether a patent has been worked in the territory of India, has to be determined on a case-to-case basis. When a patent holder is faced with an application for compulsory license, it is for the patent holder to show that the patented invention is worked in the territory of India by manufacture or import. The Bench also clarified that manufacture in all cases may not be necessary to establish working in India. However, the patent holder would have to satisfy the authorities under the Act as to why the patented invention was not being manufactured in India.
Terms and conditions for grant of compulsory license
Bayer argued that the grant of compulsory license to Natco was done contrary to the terms mentioned under Section 90 of the Act. Section 90 of the Act states amongst other terms that the Controller has to ensure that the royalty and other remuneration paid to the patent holder should reasonably cover the expenses incurred by the patent holder in making or developing the patented invention. The CG fixed the royalty rate to be paid by Natco to Bayer at 6% of the net sales made by Natco, on the basis of the United Nations Development Programme Report which recommends that the normal rate of royalty should be at 4% of the net sale. The IPAB however, increased the royalty rate to 7% of the net sales. The Bench held that the terms of the compulsory license were not contrary to Section 90 of the Act since Bayer did not adduce any evidence to show in what manner the royalty rate of 7% of the net sales was inadequate or on the cost incurred to develop Nexavar.
Conclusion
After 2005, Chapter XVI of the Patents Act, 1970 which deals with compulsory license, has been invoked very few times. Nexavar is the only case which has been examined at three different levels, i.e. by the Controller General, the IPAB and the High Court. In the above-mentioned decision of the Bench of the Bombay High Court, the Court elaborated and clarified the provisions pertaining to compulsory licenses. It also emphasized that the proceedings under Section 84 of the Act are in public interest and that public interest is fundamental in deciding a matter of compulsory license with respect to medicines or drugs. This decision has thus paved the way for more applications of compulsory licenses for medicines.
[The author is an Associate, IPR Practice, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan, New Delhi]
End Notes:
- Writ Petition No. 1323 of 2013
- Order No. 252 of 2013
- Section 316.3(b)(10) & (11) of the US Orphan Drug Act (21 CFR Part 316) "(10) Orphan drug means a drug intended for use in a rare disease or condition as defined in section 526 of the act. (11) Orphan-drug designation means FDA's act of granting a request for designation under section 526 of the act."