Natco Pharma is the top loser on the BSE, down almost 5.5% at Rs.1442 and an intra day low at Rs.1409.85. The stock which is in deep red today, on 19^th Jan had hit a new 52-week high at Rs.1586.25.

The stock has slumped today after the US Supreme Court yesterday, ruled that Teva Pharma could continue to benefit from the patent protection for its best selling drug, Copaxone, which is used to treat multiple sclerosis.  Those in the sector say that this ruling would delay generic launches by Natco and other pharma companies  because the US Supreme Court will now send the patent case back to the lower court.

This is the same drug which in August had got the USFDA acceptance for its generic version, filed by its marketing partner in US, Mylan.  And Copaxone is marketed by Teva Neuroscience Inc, which is a subsidiary of Teva, in the US.