Vasostrict patent approved by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Endo International plc announced on June 28 that a patent for Vasostrict was issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO). 

Endo's operating company, Par Pharmaceutical received the patent for the vasopressin injection product.

Vasostrict is a sterile solution of vasopression intended for use intravenously. Each 1 mL vial contains 20 units/mL of vasopressin, a preservative and water. The water may be a 0.9 percent saline or a 5 percent dextrose solution. 

Vasostrict is used to constrict blood vessels to raise blood pressure in patients suffering from vasodilatory shock. Vasopressin is also used to reduce urine output and help the kidneys reabsorb water from the body.  

The PTO issued U.S. Patent No. 9,375,478. Its expiration date is Jan. 30, 2035. After the patent was issued, it was submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA's Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluation is also known as the Orange Book. Being added to the Orange Book protects the patent before it expires. Any company putting in an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) must notify PAR of the filing before the FDA can approve a generic version of Vasostrict.