Novartis AG, Novartis Pharm. Corp. v. Ezra Ventures LLC

Chen, Circuit Judge.

*1369 SUMMARY

This case concerns the interplay between a patent term extension (PTE) granted pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 156 and the obviousness-type double patenting doctrine. The Delaware District Court concluded that, in accordance with statutory construction principles and as a logical extension of this court's holding in Merck & Co. v. Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co. , 482 F.3d 1317 (Fed. Cir. 2007), obviousness-type double patenting does not invalidate an otherwise validly obtained PTE under § 156. We agree and accordingly affirm.

BACKGROUND

Defendant-Appellant Ezra Ventures LLC (Ezra)…