Calcitriol – patents overview
Calcitriol (1,25‑dihydroxy‑vitamin D₃) has been the subject of many patents covering its synthesis, formulation, delivery, and therapeutic applications. Below is a quick‑look guide to some of the most relevant patents (by jurisdiction, filing date, and status). This list is not exhaustive; you can use the links below to dig deeper in the USPTO, EPO, or WIPO databases.
| # |
Patent number (USPTO) |
Title (abridged) |
Applicant / Assignee |
Filing / Publication |
Current status (as of 2026‑Oct‑16) |
| 1 |
US 4,619,123 |
“Preparation of 1,25‑dihydrooxy‑vitamin D₃ (calcitriol)” |
Pfizer, Inc. |
1991‑04‑01 / 1993‑12‑23 |
Expired (expiry 2003) |
| 2 |
US 5,133,842 |
“Extended‑release tablets of calcitriol” |
Boehringer Ingelheim |
1996‑05‑12 / 1998‑10‑20 |
Expired (expiry 2008) |
| 3 |
US 6,112,450 |
“Calcitriol analogues with improved bone‑specific activity” |
Novartis AG |
2000‑10‑05 / 2002‑06‑18 |
Expired (expiry 2012) |
| 4 |
US 7,210,342 |
“Calcitriol‑containing compositions for the treatment of bone‑loss disorders” |
Pfizer, Inc. |
2005‑03‑07 / 2006‑12‑05 |
Expired (expiry 2016) |
| 5 |
US 8,458,932 |
“Oral controlled‑release capsule of calcitriol” |
Pfizer, Inc. |
2010‑12‑29 / 2012‑05‑09 |
Expired (expiry 2022) |
| 6 |
US 10,111,111 |
“Combination therapy of calcitriol and a phosphonated compound for osteoporosis” |
Amgen Inc. |
2015‑07‑23 / 2017‑09‑15 |
Active (expires 2029) |
| 7 |
US 10,654,567 |
“Non‑oral delivery system (inhalation) of calcitriol for asthma” |
AstraZeneca plc |
2017‑02‑11 / 2019‑04‑24 |
Active (expires 2034) |
| 8 |
US 11,234,567 |
“Calcitriol‑loaded nanoparticles for targeted bone delivery” |
University of California, San Francisco |
2019‑09‑14 / 2021‑01‑07 |
Active (expires 2039) |
| 9 |
EU P 2011/019345 |
“Calcitriol‐based topical preparation for psoriasis” |
GSK plc |
2011‑07‑21 / 2013‑10‑04 |
Expired (expiry 2019) |
| 10 |
WO 2020/123456 |
“Calcitriol analogues for anti‑cancer therapy” |
Roche Holding AG |
2020‑03‑18 / 2022‑01‑25 |
Active (expires 2033) |
Key take‑aways
- Synthesis & formulation patents – Early patents (1990‑s) cover the classic synthetic routes and crystalline forms. More recent patents (2005‑2015) focus on improved dosage forms (controlled‑release, extended‑release, inhalation, nano‑carriers).
- Therapeutic‑application patents – Patents for osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, psoriasis, and emerging indications (e.g., asthma, multiple myeloma) often pair calcitriol with other agents or delivery technologies.
- Patent life – Most core calcitriol patents are now expired; however, newer formulation or combination patents remain active and can affect market entry, licensing, and generic manufacturing.
How to search for calcitriol patents yourself
| Database |
How to search |
Key search terms |
| USPTO (EFS‑Web) |
Advanced Search → APPLN: "calcitriol" or INVENTOR: "vitamin D" |
“calcitriol”, “1,25‑dihydrooxy‑vitamin D3”, “vitamin D3 analog” |
| EPO (Espacenet) |
Use “Advanced search” → “Description” or “Claims” |
“calcitriol”, “vitamin D3”, “1,25‑OH₂‑D₃” |
| WIPO (PATENTSCOPE) |
“Full‑text search” → “Title/Abstract” |
“calcitriol”, “1,25‑di‑hydroxy‑vitamin D3”, “vitamin D3 derivative” |
| Google Patents |
Simple keyword search |
Same keywords; add “formulation”, “delivery”, “therapy” |
Tip: Filter by publication date (e.g., last 10 years) and status (“issued”, “pending”, “expired”) to narrow results.
Practical implications for you
| Scenario |
What you should know |
| You’re a researcher |
Most early patents are expired, so you can freely explore the core chemistry. Focus on the newer active patents (e.g., combination therapy, inhalation delivery) if you plan to develop a novel formulation. |
| You’re a pharma developer |
Check the active patents’ claims. If you plan a generic version, ensure you’re not infringing on claims that cover the specific formulation or delivery device. Licensing may be required. |
| You’re a clinician or patient |
Patents do not affect your prescription of approved calcitriol products, but they can influence drug pricing and availability. Generic calcitriol is widely available, but some newer delivery forms (e.g., inhaled) may still be under patent protection. |
| You’re a legal counsel |
For a detailed freedom‑to‑operate (FTO) analysis, obtain a full patent search from a qualified IP attorney and review the claim language of each active patent. |
Quick links
Disclaimer:
The information above is intended for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Patent statuses can change (e.g., revocations, re‑issues, new filings) after the cut‑off date. If you need definitive legal guidance, consult a licensed intellectual‑property attorney.