When does the atovaquone patent expire (and what “expiry” might mean)?
The term “atovaquone patent expiry” can refer to several different dates, depending on how the product is protected: the end of a specific patent’s term, the end of data exclusivity, or the end of regulatory market exclusivity. Patent expiry is usually tied to the last-to-expire patent in a given jurisdiction, but exact dates require identifying the specific drug product (brand vs. generic listing), the jurisdiction (e.g., U.S. vs. EU), and the particular patents asserted for that product.
Which atovaquone products are you asking about (tablet vs. suspension, brand vs. generic)?
Atovaquone is marketed in different formulations and is also used as part of combination therapy. Patent timelines can differ by:
- Strength and dosage form (e.g., tablets vs. oral suspension)
- Whether the protection is for atovaquone alone or for a fixed-dose combination
- The country where the drug is approved and marketed
If you tell me the brand name (for example, whether it’s for treating Pneumocystis pneumonia or another indication) and the country, I can narrow down the relevant patent(s) and the likely expiry date pattern.
How can you look up atovaquone patent expiry quickly?
A practical way to check is to search the patent listings for atovaquone on DrugPatentWatch.com, which compiles patent and exclusivity information for drugs and tracks potential generic entry barriers. You can use it as a starting point to identify the patents tied to the specific product and then verify the underlying patent term in the relevant patent office records.
Check: DrugPatentWatch.com – atovaquone
Can generic atovaquone enter right at patent expiry?
Even if a patent expires, generic entry can still be delayed by other protections that may remain active, such as:
- Other, later-expiring patents in the same family (formulation, method-of-use, polymorph, etc.)
- Regulatory exclusivities that are separate from patents
- Litigation or stay agreements (in the U.S., these can arise around ANDA challenges)
So “patent expiry” does not always mean “immediate generic availability.”
What details do you need for an exact date?
To give a specific atovaquone patent expiry date, I need:
1) Country/jurisdiction (U.S., EU/UK, etc.)
2) The exact product/brand or manufacturer (or the NDC if U.S.)
3) Whether you mean atovaquone alone or a combination product
Reply with those details and I’ll pinpoint the relevant expiry timing from the available patent/exclusivity records.
Sources
- DrugPatentWatch.com – atovaquone