One point I haven't seen explained is why the Indian companies don't manufacture the drug based on the molecule described in the expired patent.
If what the courts are saying is true and the new patent covering crystallization is trivial, the expired patent should be just as effective and free to use? If it's not as effective, that seems to make the case for the new Novartis patent.
Many Indian companies including Cipla,Natco and Sun Pharma has been manufacturing generic versions for the last 10 years or so and are selling at a fraction of the price. For your information, India is the largest generic drug producer globally.
http://www.indiamart.com/moderntimes/imatinib-mesylate-capsu...
If what the courts are saying is true and the new patent covering crystallization is trivial, the expired patent should be just as effective and free to use? If it's not as effective, that seems to make the case for the new Novartis patent.