Tafas v. Dudas et al

Filing 39

MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief in Support of the "GSK" Plaintiffs' Motion for A temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction by Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Memorandum in Support of Motion for Leave# 2 Exhibit Elan's Amicus Brief# 3 Exhibit Battle Declaration to Amicus Brief# 4 Proposed Order)Associated Cases: 1:07-cv-00846-JCC-TRJ, 1:07-cv-01008-JCC-TRJ(Carr, Rebecca) Modified on 10/31/2007 to reflect the title of docket entry (klau, ).

Tafas v. Dudas et al

Doc. 39

Case 1:07-cv-00846-JCC-TRJ

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Filed 10/29/2007

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA (Alexandria Division) ____________________________________ TRIANTAFYLLOS TAFAS, ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) Civil Action No. 1:07cv846 (JCC/TRJ) ) JON W. DUDAS, et al. ) ) Defendants. ) ____________________________________) CONSOLIDATED WITH ____________________________________ ) SMITHKLINE BEECHAM ) CORPORATION, et al. ) ) Plaintiffs, ) ) v. ) ) JON W. DUDAS, et al. ) ) Defendants. ) ____________________________________)

Civil Action No. 1:07cv1008 (JCC/TRJ)

MOTION OF AMICUS CURIĆ ELAN PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION FOR LEAVE TO FILE ITS BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF THE "GSK" PLAINTIFFS' MOTION FOR A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., on behalf of itself and its parent and affiliates (herein collectively referred to as "Elan"), by the undersigned counsel, moves for leave to file its brief as amicus curić in support of SmithKline Beecham Corporation, SmithKline Beecham PLC and Glaxo Group Limited's Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction ("Brief").

Dockets.Justia.com

Case 1:07-cv-00846-JCC-TRJ

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Elan is a biotechnology company that is focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing and marketing advanced therapies in neurology, autoimmune diseases, and severe pain. Elan wishes to submit its amicus Brief addressing the likelihood of success on the merits, irreparable harm and public interest prongs of the pending Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction. Elan concurs with GSK's assertion that the "Changes to Practice for Continued Examination Filings, Patent Applications Containing Patentably Indistinct Claims, and Examination of Claims in Patent Applications," 72 Fed. Reg. 46716 (Aug. 21, 2007) (to be codified at 37 C.F.R. pt. 1) (hereinafter "Final Rules") are ultra vires. Elan's Brief expands on GSK's position that the Final Rules improperly shift the burden of examining a patent application from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO") to the applicant. This burden shifting is contrary to law and serves as a basis to overturn the Final Rules. Elan has contacted counsel for plaintiffs GSK and Tafas who consent to the filing of Elan's amicus Brief. Counsel for defendants John Dudas and the PTO oppose Elan's Motion and the filing of its Brief. Elan's Motion is filed a mere 14 days after GSK initially filed its Motion for Preliminary Injunction and is therefore timely. Elan's proposed Brief is attached as Exhibit A to this Motion and Elan requests that the Court accept the Brief for filing without requiring a separate filing. A proposed Order is attached.

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Case 1:07-cv-00846-JCC-TRJ

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Dated: October 29, 2007 By:

Respectfully submitted, /s/ Rebecca M. Carr (VSB # 70874) PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN, LLP 2300 N Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail] Scott J. Pivnick (VSB # 48022) PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN, LLP 1650 Tysons Boulevard McLean, Virginia 22102-4856 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail] ATTORNEYS FOR AMICUS CURIĆ ELAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Of Counsel Vincent J. Napoleon PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN, LLP 2300 N Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037

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Case 1:07-cv-00846-JCC-TRJ

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that on this 29th day of October 2007, I electronically filed in Case Nos. 1:07cv1008 and 1:07cv846 (JCC/TRJ) the foregoing "MOTION OF AMICUS CURIĆ ELAN PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION FOR LEAVE TO FILE ITS BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF THE `GSK' PLAINTIFFS' MOTION FOR A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION" using the CM/ECF system and that service was thereby accomplished on: Elizabeth M. Locke, Esq. KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP 655 15th Street, NW ­ Suite 1200 Washington, DC 20005 e-mail: [e-mail] and Craig C. Reilly, Esq. RICHARD MCGETTIGAN REILLY & WEST PC 1725 Duke Street, Suite 600 Alexandria, VA 22314 e-mail: [e-mail] Attorneys for Plaintiffs in Civil Action No. 1:07cv1008 (JCC/TRJ) and Lauren A. Wetzler, Esq. United States Attorney's Office 2100 Jamison Ave. Alexandria, VA 22314 e-mail: [e-mail] Attorney for Defendants in Civil Action Nos. 1:07cv1008 (JCC/TRJ) and 1:07cv846 (JCC/TRJ)

Case 1:07-cv-00846-JCC-TRJ

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I further certify that on this 29th day of October 2007, I caused a copy of the foregoing to be served by U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, upon: Joseph Dale Wilson, III, Esq. KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP Washington Harbour 3050 K Street NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 2007 E-mail: [e-mail] Counsel for Plaintiff in Civil Action No. 1:07cv846 (JCC/TRJ)

/s/ Rebecca M. Carr (VSB # 70874) PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN, LLP 2300 N Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail]