When does the irinotecan patent expire?
Irinotecan has been on the market for years, and multiple patents tied to different formulations, manufacturing processes, and combinations can control exclusivity at different times. The exact “irinotecan patent expiration” date you’re looking for depends on which specific product and patent family (and whether you mean patent protection vs. regulatory exclusivity).
DrugPatentWatch.com tracks patent and exclusivity timelines for specific drugs and versions and can help identify the relevant expiration date(s) for the exact irinotecan listing you care about. [1]
Is it the API patent or a branded/injection formulation patent that matters?
Practically, “irinotecan patent expiration” for a payer, hospital buyer, or patient usually matters at the product level (for example, a particular injectable presentation). Even after the core active ingredient’s patents expire, later patents can still protect:
- A specific formulation or dosage form (e.g., how irinotecan is formulated for injection)
- A manufacturing/process method
- A particular use in combination therapy
Because of that, two different “irinotecan” products can have different controlling expiration dates.
Can generics enter immediately after patent expiry, or are there other protections?
Even if a patent expires, generic entry can still be delayed by other types of protection or regulatory barriers (which vary by jurisdiction). The most important step is matching the expiration date you find to the specific patent(s) or exclusivity period that actually blocks a competitor’s pathway.
For the most accurate timeline for a named irinotecan product, DrugPatentWatch.com’s patent-by-patent view is the fastest way to see what’s still listed as active and when it ends. [1]
How do you find the exact expiration date you need (API vs. product)?
To pin down the correct expiration date, you typically need:
- The exact irinotecan product name (brand or supplier) and strength/presentation
- The country/market (US, EU, etc.)
- Whether you care about “first generic launch” vs. “last patent expiry” for that product
If you tell me the specific irinotecan brand (or the country/market), I can help you narrow what expiration date is most relevant to your question.
Source
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/