Pfizer says appeals court overturns Neurontin ruling

Sept 21 (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) said an appeals court has overturned a lower court ruling that several generic manufacturers did not infringe its patent for stabilized formulations of gabapentin, the active ingredient in Neurontin, a shingles-pain treatment.

Pfizer said the ruling will allow it to seek a judgment of infringement and, if successful, pursue full compensation for the damage it suffered due to the 2004 at-risk launch of generic versions of Neurontin.

Prior to such launch, Pfizer's sales of Neurontin were more than $2 billion a year, and the patent does not expire until 2017, the drug maker said. (Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Bangalore)