Last year, India allowed Natco Pharma to produce Nexavar and, on Monday, the patent appeals office rejected Bayer's plea to overturn that ruling.

BBC: Bayer to challenge India cancer drug ruling

The German company last year approached the Intellectual Property Appellate Board after the local patent authority granted a "compulsory license" to Natco Pharma Ltd.

WSJ: India Rejects Bayer's Nexavar Plea

Last year, India's patent office allowed local drug manufacturer Natco Pharma Ltd. to produce a generic version of Bayer's kidney and liver cancer drug Nexavar on the grounds it would make the drug available to the public at a reasonably affordable price.

NPR: India Rejects Bayer Plea Against Cheap Cancer Drug