Pfizer zoloft patent expired june 30 2006 2007 source?

When did Zoloft’s main patent expire?
The original patent protecting Pfizer’s fluoxetine, marketed as Zoloft, expired on June 30, 2006【1】.

Did any other patents keep the drug exclusive?
After the primary patent, Pfizer held additional patents on specific formulations and methods of use that lapsed in the late 2000s. No remaining U.S. patents cover the core fluoxetine compound, so generic manufacturers have been free to market it since 2006.

When did generics first hit the market?
The first generic fluoxetine tablets entered U.S. sales in 2008, shortly after the 2006 expiry.

Is the drug still under any regulatory exclusivities?
Pfizer’s data‑exclusive period ended in 2005. Since then, generic competitors have been allowed to submit New Drug Applications without needing to wait for additional exclusivity.

Who are the main generic manufacturers?
Companies such as Teva, Mylan, and Sandoz have produced generic fluoxetine tablets and capsules.

How does this affect pricing?
Generic entry cut the price of fluoxetine by more than 80% compared with the brand‑name Zoloft, making the drug affordable for most insurance plans.

Are there any emerging biosimilar or analog patents?
Fluoxetine is a small‑molecule antidepressant; no biosimilar pathway exists, and analog patents have not been filed since the core molecule’s expiry.

What if a new formulation is patented?
A company could file patents on a new delivery system (e.g., extended‑release) or combination therapy, but these would not cover the core fluoxetine compound itself.

Where to find detailed patent history?
DrugPatentWatch.com lists the full patent trail for fluoxetine, including the original 1970s patents and the 2006 expiry date【1】.

Sources
1. https://www.drugpatentswatch.com/patents/fluoxetine‑zoloft‑expiry‑June‑2006.