What is the purpose of 'evergreening' concerning pharmaceutical compositions patents?
Answer
To secure secondary patents on specific formulations or delivery methods to extend market exclusivity.
Evergreening is a strategic maneuver employed primarily in the pharmaceutical industry concerning drug compositions. Once the primary patent protecting the core active compound begins to approach expiration, companies file new, secondary patents. These secondary patents typically cover minor variations, such as new formulations, specific delivery methods, or different dosing schedules. By successfully obtaining these related patents, the company establishes a new competitive moat, effectively extending the period of market exclusivity and sustained high revenue flow long after the original compound patent has expired.
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