Eli lilly and Co. v. Apotex Inc., 2002 FCA 411

Date: 20021022

Docket: A-643-01

Neutral citation: 2002 FCA 411

CORAM:        ROTHSTEIN J.A.

NADON J.A.

MALONE J.A.

BETWEEN:

                                                    ELI LILLY AND COMPANY and

                                                           ELI LILLY CANADA INC.

                                                                                                                                                     Appellants

                                                                                                                                               (Defendants)

                                                                                 and

                                                                       APOTEX INC.

                                                                                                                                                   Respondent

                                                                                                                                                        (Plaintiff)

                                            Heard at Ottawa, Ontario, on October 22, 2002.

                    Judgment delivered from the Bench at Ottawa, Ontario, on October 22, 2002.

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE COURT BY:                                                     NADON J.A.

Date: 20021022

Docket: A-643-01

Neutral citation: 2002 FCA 411

CORAM:        ROTHSTEIN J.A.

NADON J.A.

MALONE J.A.

BETWEEN:

                                                    ELI LILLY AND COMPANY and

                                                           ELI LILLY CANADA INC.

                                                                                                                                                     Appellants

                                                                                                                                               (Defendants)

                                                                                 and

                                                                       APOTEX INC.

                                                                                                                                                   Respondent

                                                                                                                                                        (Plaintiff)

                                       REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

[1]                 This is an appeal from the decision of Blais J. dated October 20, 2001, which set aside the decision of Prothonotary Lafrenière dated September 27, 2001.

[2]                 The Prothonotary denied leave to the respondent who was seeking to amend its Statement of Claim in order to invoke unamended s. 8 of the Patent Regulations in support of its claim for damages against the appellants. The Prothonotary was of the view that it was plain and obvious that the respondent could not succeed at trial in regard to the proposed amendment.

[3]                 Blais J., in setting aside the Prothonotary's Order, concluded that it was not plain and obvious that the amendment sought by the respondent could not possibly bring about a successful result for the respondent. We have not been persuaded that the learned judge made an error in so concluding.

[4]                 The appellants indicated that should their appeal be dismissed, they would bring a motion for summary judgment in the Trial Division. It goes without saying that our decision herein does not prejudge the appropriateness of such a motion.

[5]                 The appeal will therefore be dismissed. The respondent will be entitled to party-party costs in the sum of $7,500.00, inclusive of disbursements and GST.

  

                                                                                                                                                    "M. Nadon"

                                                                                                                                                                  J.A.

                                                    FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL

                              NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD

    

DOCKET:                                             A-643-01

STYLE OF CAUSE:                           Eli Lilly and Company and Eli Lilly Canada Inc. v. Apotex Inc.

                                                                                   

PLACE OF HEARING:                     Ottawa, Ontario

  

DATE OF HEARING:                       October 22, 2002

  

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE COURT: (Rothstein, Nadon & Malone JJ.A.)

  

RENDERED FROM THE BENCH BY: Nadon J.A.          

   

APPEARANCES:

Mr. Patrick Smith and Mr. Jay Zakaib                                        FOR THE APPELLANTS

Mr. Andrew Brodkin                                                                      FOR THE RESPONDENT

  

SOLICITORS OF RECORD:

Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP         

Ottawa, Ontario                                                                             FOR THE APPELLANTS

Goodmans LLP

Toronto, Ontario                                                                            FOR THE RESPONDENT