Court dismisses AIDS Healthcare Foundation lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline

U.S. district court judge Terry J. Hatter Jr. has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation against drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline alleging that the company's patent on the anti-HIV drug AZT is invalid. Glaxo lawyers had moved to dismiss the lawsuit on the basis that AHF's claims were without merit, offered no new information, and attempted to reopen issues already reviewed and decided by the courts. Hatter agreed and dismissed the lawsuit. The case was filed in the U.S. district court for the Central District of California. AHF officials say they plan to appeal. A second lawsuit filed against Glaxo by AHF contending that the company engages in false advertising by claiming it provides AZT to developing countries at cost is still pending in U.S. district court.