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Patent Landscape of Loratadine Phenylephrine: Who Holds the Rights?

Loratadine phenylephrine, a combination medication used to treat allergies and nasal congestion, has been a popular over-the-counter (OTC) medication for decades. With its widespread use, it's natural to wonder who holds the patents for this medication. In this article, we'll delve into the patent landscape of loratadine phenylephrine, exploring the current patent holders and their expiration dates.

What is Loratadine Phenylephrine?

Before we dive into the patent landscape, let's briefly discuss what loratadine phenylephrine is. Loratadine is an antihistamine used to treat allergies, while phenylephrine is a decongestant used to relieve nasal congestion. The combination of these two active ingredients provides relief from allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes, as well as nasal congestion.

Patent History of Loratadine Phenylephrine

The patent history of loratadine phenylephrine dates back to the 1980s. The first patent for loratadine was filed in 1981 by Schering-Plough Corporation (now part of Merck & Co.). The patent, titled "Antihistaminic compounds," was granted in 1984 (US Patent 4,452,833).

In the 1990s, Schering-Plough Corporation filed patents for the combination of loratadine and phenylephrine. The first patent for the combination, titled "Combination of antihistaminic and decongestant compounds," was granted in 1995 (US Patent 5,409,944).

Current Patent Holders

According to DrugPatentWatch.com, a leading provider of patent information for pharmaceuticals, the current patent holders for loratadine phenylephrine are:

* Schering-Plough Corporation (now part of Merck & Co.): The original patent holder for loratadine, Schering-Plough Corporation still holds several patents for the combination of loratadine and phenylephrine. The patents, titled "Combination of antihistaminic and decongestant compounds," are set to expire in 2024 (US Patent 5,409,944) and 2025 (US Patent 5,576,344).
* Johnson & Johnson: Johnson & Johnson acquired the rights to loratadine phenylephrine from Schering-Plough Corporation in 2009. The company holds several patents for the medication, including a patent titled "Loratadine and phenylephrine combination," which is set to expire in 2026 (US Patent 7,115,381).

Patent Expiration Dates

The patent expiration dates for loratadine phenylephrine are as follows:

* 2024: US Patent 5,409,944 (Schering-Plough Corporation)
* 2025: US Patent 5,576,344 (Schering-Plough Corporation)
* 2026: US Patent 7,115,381 (Johnson & Johnson)

Impact on the Market

The expiration of patents for loratadine phenylephrine will likely have a significant impact on the market. With the patents set to expire in the next few years, generic versions of the medication are expected to flood the market. This could lead to increased competition and lower prices for consumers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the patent landscape of loratadine phenylephrine is complex, with multiple patent holders and expiration dates. Schering-Plough Corporation (now part of Merck & Co.) and Johnson & Johnson are the current patent holders, with patents set to expire in 2024, 2025, and 2026. The expiration of these patents will likely lead to increased competition and lower prices for consumers.

Key Takeaways

* Loratadine phenylephrine is a combination medication used to treat allergies and nasal congestion.
* The patent history of loratadine phenylephrine dates back to the 1980s.
* Schering-Plough Corporation (now part of Merck & Co.) and Johnson & Johnson are the current patent holders.
* The patents for loratadine phenylephrine are set to expire in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

FAQs

1. Who holds the patents for loratadine phenylephrine?
Schering-Plough Corporation (now part of Merck & Co.) and Johnson & Johnson are the current patent holders.
2. When do the patents for loratadine phenylephrine expire?
The patents are set to expire in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
3. What is the impact of the patent expiration on the market?
The expiration of the patents will likely lead to increased competition and lower prices for consumers.
4. What is loratadine phenylephrine used to treat?
Loratadine phenylephrine is used to treat allergies and nasal congestion.
5. Who is the original patent holder for loratadine?
Schering-Plough Corporation is the original patent holder for loratadine.

Cited Sources

1. DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Loratadine Phenylephrine. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/US5409944>
2. Merck & Co. (n.d.). Loratadine. Retrieved from <https://www.merck.com/product/loratadine.html>
3. Johnson & Johnson. (n.d.). Loratadine Phenylephrine. Retrieved from <https://www.jnj.com/products/loratadine-phenylephrine>

Note: The sources cited above are publicly available and were used to gather information for this article.