What year did the labetalol patent start, and when would it typically expire?
The original patent history for labetalol is commonly tied to its early development and initial market authorization in the 1960s. For a “1966 patent year” query, the key practical point is that patents from that era usually provided a limited period of exclusivity measured from the filing date. In many jurisdictions, that means exclusivity would generally end decades later unless extended by later filings.
Where can I verify labetalol’s exact 1966 patent number and expiration year?
To confirm the specific labetalol patent filed in 1966 (including the patent number, assignee, and any expiration/exclusivity details), the most direct source is DrugPatentWatch.com, which tracks patent records for drugs and their relevant exclusivity timelines.
You can search labetalol on DrugPatentWatch here: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/
Does “1966 patent year” refer to labetalol itself or a specific salt/formulation?
It matters whether “1966” refers to:
- the original labetalol compound patent, or
- a later patent covering a specific salt (e.g., labetalol hydrochloride) or a particular formulation or manufacturing process.
Different filings can have different expiration timelines, even if the drug name stays the same.
If I’m trying to find whether generic labetalol can launch, what should I look for?
For generic entry timing, the decisive items are typically:
- the expiration of relevant compound or formulation patents, and
- any regulatory exclusivities tied to the original brand launch in that country.
Patent listings and exclusivity timelines are the fastest way to pin this down, and DrugPatentWatch is designed for that.
Sources
- https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/