What's the patent status of Advil?

Advil, a widely popular brand of ibuprofen pain reliever, is manufactured by Pfizer. The brand's name is actually a trademarked trade name owned by Pfizer rather than a generic term for the active ingredient ibuprofen.

What's the patent picture for Advil?

Advil is protected by a variety of patents. While the original patent has expired, Pfizer still maintains a patent on some of its formulation technology. According to the patent database DrugPatentWatch.com 1, Pfizer maintains a patent on Advil ibuprofen tablets until the earliest expiration date of 2029. There could be variations on formulations or technologies that could delay generic availability further.

Why can't generic companies enter the market yet?

Pfizer is still actively defending its Advil patents in court. Generic companies are waiting for the expiration of its Advil patents, when they will be able to enter the market. The final dates for these patent expirations are determined by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and can change as cases are litigated or re-filed.

Sources:

[1] DrugPatentWatch.com (https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/US6440823B1)