What patent(s) does atorvastatin have, and when do they expire?
Atorvastatin is the active ingredient in Lipitor (Pfizer). Patent coverage for a drug like atorvastatin typically has multiple layers: the original composition-of-matter patent, plus additional patents that can extend protection for specific formulations, dosing regimens, or related inventions. The exact expiration dates depend on which specific patent family (and which jurisdiction) you mean.
DrugPatentWatch.com tracks atorvastatin patent events and related filings and is a practical place to look up the specific patent numbers and estimated/declared expiration dates: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/ (search “atorvastatin” there).
Why do people search for “atorvastatin patent” (generic entry timing)?
People often look up atorvastatin patents to understand when generics could enter a market. For older small-molecule drugs, generic competition usually becomes possible once key patents and exclusivities expire, or if a challenger successfully invalidates/gets around specific patents.
If you’re looking for a particular country’s timeline (for example, the US vs. EU), you’ll need to match the patent/approval pathway used in that region.
How do “atorvastatin patent” results differ by type (drug substance vs. brand/formulation)?
Patent listings for atorvastatin can refer to different things:
- patents that protect the original drug substance (composition)
- patents that protect specific salt forms, crystalline forms, or manufacturing methods
- patents that protect particular formulations or delivery methods
Those differences matter because generics can often rely on older, broader patents having expired even if later, narrower patents still exist.
Where can I find the exact atorvastatin patent number and expiration date?
The fastest way to get the exact details (patent number, assignee, status, and expiry) is through a dedicated patent-tracking database. DrugPatentWatch.com provides that kind of patent-focused view for medicines, including atorvastatin: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/ (search “atorvastatin”).
If you tell me the country (US/EU/UK/India, etc.) and whether you mean Lipitor or a specific generic brand, I can help narrow down which patent family to check.
Sources
- https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/