3 ms·
The article mentions that minocycline is available as a generic drug. But the article concludes by saying "the technology" has been patented and licensed to Cy
by DoofusOfDeath 7y ago
The article mentions that minocycline is available as a generic drug. But the article concludes by saying "the technology" has been patented and licensed to Cycle Pharmaceuticals.
Can anyone tell what was patented? I would assume not minocycline, but I've been surprised before about what could be patented.
- dvfjsdhgfv 7y agoThis struck me as well. The only thing that comes to mind is the way to administer minocycline. But it's obvious that if the treatment works well, other researchers will find other ways to administer this drug, so I don't see a point. They probably follow a standard procedure to recoup the cost of research, but since they choose a generic drug, I wonder if there is a way to monetize it at all.
- et2o 7y agoThey can patent minocycline and it's derivatives. If they made a brand name minocycline, no one would ever use it because it's already generic. However if they can make a derivative that is more efficacious (even if it's only slightly different), they can brand that and sell it under patent for a while.