UPDATE 2-Bayer loses European patent for Yasmin | Reuters

FRANKFURT, July 8 (Reuters) - German drugmaker Bayer (BAYGn.DE) has lost European patent protection for birth control pill Yasmin, its second-best selling drug, dealing a serious hit to its revenue prospects. Bayer said on Friday after the market close that the European Patent Office has revoked the patent following an appeal from rival Hexal against an earlier decision in 2006 that confirmed the patent.