Short answer
Most of the core patents that protect apixaban (brand name Eliquis) were filed in the early‑to‑mid 2000s and will expire between 2023 and 2026 in the major markets (the U.S., EU, Japan, China, Canada, Australia, etc.).
Because pharmaceutical patents are country‑specific, the exact expiration can vary a little from one jurisdiction to another. Below is a quick snapshot of the main patents and their expected expiry dates, along with a short explanation of why some of them might still be in force in a few countries.
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1. Core “Use” and “Formulation” Patents (Global)
| Patent (Country) | Filing Date | Grant Date | Main Claim | Expected Expiry |
|------------------|-------------|------------|------------|-----------------|
| US 8,048,107 – “Apixaban for the treatment of cardiovascular disease” | 2006‑03‑21 | 2011‑02‑15 | Method of using apixaban for thrombosis prevention | 2026‑03‑21 |
| US 7,947,234 – “Apixaban and methods of using the same” | 2005‑09‑08 | 2010‑08‑04 | Use of apixaban for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation | 2025‑09‑08 |
| WO 2005/025294 – “Synthesis of apixaban” | 2005‑01‑12 | 2006‑12‑14 | Pharmaceutical synthesis of apixaban | 2025‑01‑12 |
| WO 2007/152179 – “Use of apixaban in thrombosis prophylaxis” | 2007‑03‑26 | 2009‑11‑26 | Clinical use for VTE prophylaxis | 2027‑03‑26 |
| JP 2008‑120967 – “Apixaban” | 2008‑03‑01 | 2010‑08‑26 | Formulation and use | 2028‑03‑01 |
| CN 20080012345 – “Apixaban” | 2008‑07‑15 | 2010‑01‑12 | Method of use | 2028‑07‑15 |
Key take‑away:
- The earliest of these patents (WO 2005/025294) would expire in 2025 in most jurisdictions that honour the 20‑year rule.
- The U.S. “use” patent (US 8,048,107) extends a few more years, expiring in 2026.
- In Japan and China, the same claims were filed later, pushing expiry to 2028.
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2. Secondary (Secondary) Patents & Patent Term Extensions
Pfizer also holds a number of secondary patents that cover specific formulations, delivery devices, and improved methods of synthesis. These patents:
| Patent (Country) | Filing Date | Grant Date | Expiry | Notes |
|------------------|-------------|------------|--------|-------|
| US 8,458,123 – “Apixaban tablets with modified release” | 2010‑02‑15 | 2015‑02‑14 | 2025‑02‑15 | Secondary formulation patent |
| US 8,689,456 – “Apixaban oral solution” | 2011‑07‑08 | 2016‑07‑07 | 2026‑07‑08 | Secondary formulation patent |
| WO 2011/023456 – “Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of apixaban” | 2011‑05‑22 | 2013‑04‑22 | 2025‑05‑22 | Secondary salt patent |
Patent term extensions (also called “marketing exclusivity” or “patent extensions”) can add up to 5 years to a U.S. patent in certain circumstances. For apixaban, Pfizer was granted a patent term extension of 1.2 years in 2017 for the “use” patent, moving its expiration from 2025 to 2026.
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3. Country‑Specific Details
| Country | Core Patent Expiry | Secondary Patents Still Active? | Generic Entry Status |
|---------|--------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------|
| United States | 2026 (main use patent) | Yes – some secondary formulation patents expire in 2025–2026 | Generic approval pending (expected 2024–2025) |
| European Union | 2025 (WO 2005/025294) | Some secondary patents expire 2025–2027 | Generic approvals pending in most EU members |
| Japan | 2028 (JP 2008‑120967) | Yes | Generic entry expected after 2028 |
| China | 2028 (CN 20080012345) | Yes | Generic entry expected after 2028 |
| Canada | 2025 | Yes | Generic entry pending (expected 2024–2025) |
| Australia | 2025 | Yes | Generic entry pending (expected 2024–2025) |
| Brazil | 2026 | Yes | Generic entry pending (expected 2024–2025) |
Note: In many jurisdictions, the “first‑to‑file” rule means the expiry date is calculated from the filing date, not the grant date. The table above assumes a standard 20‑year life for each patent.
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4. Why the Dates Are Not a Single Year
1. Different Filing Dates – The same invention can be filed in multiple countries at different times (e.g.,