August 9, 2025

The Dasatinib compulsory license conundrum

Amit Kapoor06 mins

The anticancer meds “nibs” (including Imatinib, Sunitinib, and Dasatinib) have always been mired in controversy. Recently Dasatinib made news when the economic times reported that “The Indian Patent Office has rejected Mumbai-based BDR Pharmaceutical’s application for compulsory licence on cancer drug Dasatinib, according to an affidavit filed by Bristol Myers Squibb, the patent holder for the drug.” This post aims to explore whether the CL application has indeed been rejected.

Dasatinib 70mg Tablets
Image from here

CL application by BDR u/s 84 – The patent office decision

Earlier around March this year, BDR had made an application for compulsory license of Dasatinib. Readers may recall that Shamnad had extensively covered this development in his post here. Prashant had captured subsequent developments  in his post here.

Quick review of the timeline of events:

  • On May 04, 2013, BDR received a notice from the patent office intimating that a prima facie case for CL u/s 84 has not been made. 
  • Then on May 13, BDR requested hearing in accordance with Rue 97(1). 
  • A notice for hearing was issued by patent office on May 23. On May 23 BDR also filed a petition under 137 for condonation of delay in complying with prima facie case requirements.
  • Subsequently on June 24, BDR submitted “written submissions” 
  • On July 10, correspondences indicating related to Voluntary license of Dasatinib was submitted to the patent office.
  • On July 15, BDR filed another petition to condone delay in complying with procedural formalities and requested that the evidence regarding voluntary license be taken on record. They also requested a hearing regarding this.

Rule 97 of the patent act states “When a prima facie case is not made out.- 

(1) If, upon consideration of the evidence, the Controller is satisfied that a prima facie case has not been made out for the making of an order under any of the sections referred to in rule 96, he shall notify the applicant accordingly, and unless the applicant requests to be heard in the matter, within one month from the date of such notification, the Controller shall refuse the application.”

(2) If the applicant requests for a hearing within the time allowed under subrule (1), the Controller shall, after giving the applicant an opportunity of being heard, determine whether the application may be proceeded with or whether it shall be refused.”

At this stage, the hearing on whether a prima facie case has been made is still pending at the patent office. The patent office will conclusively determine whether the CL application is accepted or refused based on the hearing. Obviously the  affidavit which suggests that the CL application has been rejected is erroneous. As the You reporta final decision regarding the CL u/s 84 is expected on Sept 16.

What about CL u/s 92?

Meanwhile the Govt is planning to issue a compulsory license (under Section 92) to Natco and BDR as reported by Times of India over here. Dasatinib was one of three drugs selected by Govt for Compulsory license under Section 92 route (we had blogged about it over here and here). 

Does the controller have discretionary power in case of CL u/s 92?

Section 92 (1) (i) the patents act provides that “the Controller shall on application made at any time after the notification by any person interested grant to the applicant a licence under the patent on such terms and conditions as he thinks fit”

So unlike a CL u/s 84, in case of CL u/s 92 it is necessary for the Controller to grant a CL after the Central Govt notification and upon application by an interested person. I don’t think the Controller has power to exercise his discretion, although the terms and condition of the license may be decided by him.

It would be interesting to see which route is finally adopted for Compulsory license of Dasatinib. We will keep you posted!