David Larish

A showdown between global pharmaceutical giants over the world’s best selling vaccine began Monday in Federal Court, with Merck Sharp & Dohme claiming three patents for Prevnar 13 sold by Pfizer’s Wyeth are invalid and that its own vaccine offers greater protection against pneumococcal bacteria.

Optus can hang on to its Optus trade mark for marketing and advertising services, after successfully challenging a ruling that the mark should be deregistered for non-use in those areas.