Krka said on Thursday the patent in question protects the active substance esomperazole with optic purity exceeding 99.8%, but the product with esomeprazole sold by Krka Sverige does not contain esomeprazole with such optic purity.

The company is confident that Krka Sverige will prove that the patent is not infringed.

In 2010 the Copenhagen court rejected the motion requested by AstraZeneca for issuing a temporary injunction over asserted violations of the same patent.

The active ingredient esomeprazole, used in the treatment of ailments such as dyspepsia and peptic ulcer, is not patent protected per se.