Omeprazole is the active ingredient in Losec®, a treatment for stomach acid disorders.

The judgement follows an earlier preliminary injunction granted to AstraZeneca.

Dr. Martin Nicklasson, Executive Vice-President of AstraZeneca's GI Franchise, said: "We are delighted by this judgement, which confirms our opinion that the SPC for omeprazole is in force and prevents generic omeprazole products from entering the market."

In 1999, Losec MUPS®, had sales of $90m in Sweden, representing 1.5 per cent of total sales of the product.

The substance patent for omeprazole in Sweden expired in April, 1999. A decision is pending on AstraZeneca's appeal against a ruling by the Swedish Patent and Registration Office (PRV) that an SPC, granted under Swedish law, had lapsed due to the surrender of marketing authorisation for Losec® capsules.

AstraZeneca has also filed a main action for infringement of the formulation patent for omeprazole against Scand Pharm.