Generic entry timeline

Pulmicort Respules generics — when can they launch?

Pulmicort Respules (BUDESONIDE) · AstraZeneca K.K. · 37 active US patents · 0 expired

Earliest patent expiry
2026-11-09
expired
Full patent estate to
2043-01-23
complete protection through 2043
FDA approval
1994
AstraZeneca K.K.

Where Pulmicort Respules sits in the generic timeline

All listed Orange Book patents for Pulmicort Respules have expired. Generic entry is permitted, and ANDA filers can launch without patent infringement risk. Hatch-Waxman exclusivity (NCE/ODE/PED) may still apply if recently approved.

Under US Hatch-Waxman, a generic enters via an ANDA (Abbreviated New Drug Application) and may file with one of four Paragraph IV certifications attacking the brand's listed patents. If the brand sues within 45 days, a 30-month FDA approval stay is triggered. First Para IV filer typically gets 180-day market exclusivity.

Patent estate by type — active patents

Method-of-use patents only carve out specific indications; generics can launch with a "skinny label" omitting those uses. Composition-of-matter patents block the molecule itself.

  • Method of Use — 24 patents
  • Formulation — 13 patents

FDA U-codes carved out by Pulmicort Respules patents

Method-of-use patents are listed against specific FDA Patent Use Codes ("U-codes") representing carved-out indications. Generics can launch with a label that omits these uses.

U-codeDescription
U-3820(no description)
U-3269(no description)
U-2889(no description)
U-3203(no description)
U-1325(no description)
U-2554(no description)
U-3810(no description)
U-4085(no description)

Sample patent estate

Showing 6 of 37 active US patents. View full estate on the Pulmicort Respules drug page →

  • US8679545 Formulation · expires 2026-11-09
    This patent protects methods and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing or alleviating symptoms and inflammation associated with gastrointestinal tract diseases.
    USPTO title: Topical corticosteroids for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
  • US8497258 Method of Use · expires 2026-11-09
    This patent protects methods for preventing or alleviating symptoms and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, using a pharmaceutical composition.
    USPTO title: Viscous budesonide for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
  • US8975243 Method of Use · expires 2026-11-09
    This patent protects methods for preventing or alleviating symptoms and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, using a pharmaceutical composition.
    USPTO title: Viscous budesonide for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
  • US11197822 Formulation · expires 2026-11-09
    This patent protects methods and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing or alleviating symptoms and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
    USPTO title: Topical corticosteroids for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
  • US11413296 Formulation · expires 2026-11-09
    This patent protects methods and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing or alleviating symptoms and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
    USPTO title: Viscous budesonide for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
  • US9119863 Method of Use · expires 2026-11-09
    This patent protects methods for preventing or alleviating symptoms and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, using a pharmaceutical composition.
    USPTO title: Viscous budesonide for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Sources

Patent term extensions (PTR, pediatric exclusivity), Hatch-Waxman 30-month stays, and FDA regulatory exclusivity (NCE/ODE/PED) may shift the effective generic entry date. Not legal advice.

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