Pharma Roundup: Pfizer's Lipitor Patent, Wyeth and Crucell, and More

Courts allow Pfizer to repair Lipitor patent loophole -- In 2006, an appeals court ruled that Pfizer's patent on Lipitor was illegal, potentially opening the door to generic versions of the hugely popular cholesterol drug -- and Teva, Ranbaxy, and Canada's Apotex, all of whom have developed versions, were chomping at the bit. The Feds have granted Pfizer the chance to re-write its patent (albeit for a $1,500 fee), though, securing protection on the blockbuster until 2011. [Source: PharmaTimes]

Wyeth looks to buy Crucell -- Although pundits pick Wyeth as a likely buyout target, the company is in talks to purchase Crucell, a Dutch producer of vaccines. Crucell is valued at around $1.35 billion. [Source: WSJ Health Blog]

Cuts at newly-formed Facet -- Recently-minted Facet Biotech, spun off from parent company PDL BioPharma only a few weeks ago, has announced 80 job cuts and the departure of its senior vice president, Jaisam Shah. [Source: FierceBiotech]

Ratiopharm on the block -- The family of Ratiopharm founder and billionaire suicide victim Adolf Merckle has announced its intention to sell the company. [Source: PharmaGossip]