Judge's patent ruling inflames Viagra wars.

THE "Viagra wars" being waged by giant drugs companies are set to deepen and widen following last week's landmark patent ruling in the High Court.

Pfizer lost the battle to keep its patent for Viagra. Sunday Business revealed in September last year the legal challenge by rivals that threatened to end Viagra's grip on the multi-billion pound market for male impotence treatments.

Another global US-based pharmaceutical giant, Eli Lilly, makers of the anti-depressant Prozac, mounted the challenge with Icos, an American biotech company. Lilly Icos teamed up in 19