Colcrys generics — when can they launch?
Colcrys (COLCHICINE) · Scilex Pharms · 41 active US patents · 0 expired
Where Colcrys sits in the generic timeline
Imminent generic cliff: earliest active US patent for Colcrys expires in 2028 (~2 years from today). ANDA filers are likely already preparing Paragraph IV certifications. Expect first-filer 180-day exclusivity competition imminently.
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 — 38 patents
- Formulation — 3 patents
FDA U-codes carved out by Colcrys 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-code | Description |
|---|---|
U-1116 | (no description) |
U-1007 | (no description) |
U-1166 | (no description) |
U-1161 | (no description) |
U-1020 | (no description) |
U-3639 | (no description) |
U-3643 | (no description) |
U-3864 | (no description) |
U-3640 | (no description) |
U-4168 | (no description) |
U-4132 | (no description) |
U-3867 | (no description) |
U-3638 | (no description) |
U-3641 | (no description) |
U-3642 | (no description) |
U-2814 | (no description) |
Sample patent estate
Showing 6 of 41 active US patents. View full estate on the Colcrys drug page →
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This patent protects methods for safely administering colchicine with macrolide antibiotics, such as clarithromycin.USPTO title: Methods for concomitant administration of colchicine and macrolide antibiotics
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This patent protects methods of treating gout flares with colchicine compositions.USPTO title: Colchicine compositions and methods
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This patent protects methods of treating gout flares with colchicine compositions.USPTO title: Colchine compositions and methods
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This patent protects methods for safely administering colchicine with macrolide antibiotics, such as clarithromycin.USPTO title: Methods for concomitant administration of colchicine and macrolide antibiotics
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This patent protects methods of treating gout flares with colchicine compositions.USPTO title: Colchicine compositions and methods
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This patent protects methods for safely administering colchicine with one or more additional active agents, such as ketoconazole and ritonavir.USPTO title: Methods for concomitant administration of colchicine and a second active agent
Sources
- FDA Orange Book — patents listed against Colcrys (NDA filed 1961)
- Colcrys drug profile — full patent estate, indications, clinical trials, pricing
- Scilex Pharms patent portfolio
- Patent cliff 2028 — every drug losing US exclusivity that year
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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