4 ms·
> 20+ years is way too long a term I've heard that the approvals process eats up almost half of those years. (Or if not the approvals process, then something t
by philh 10y ago
> 20+ years is way too long a term
I've heard that the approvals process eats up almost half of those years. (Or if not the approvals process, then something that's going on after they get the patent but before they're allowed to sell it.)
- jonlucc 10y agoThis is usually true. The patent is filed before you start clinical trials, because it must be described in publications. Those trials together often take 5 years or more. Only after that can you even file the New Drug Application or foreign equivalent. Edited to add: Also, people often lump the market exclusivity extensions in with the patent. The FDA offers companies and incentive to try their drugs in children. Without this, almost nothing would be approved for kids because the trials are ridiculously expensive (even compared to adult trials).