Generic entry timeline

Metro I.V. In Plastic Container generics — when can they launch?

Metro I.V. In Plastic Container (METRONIDAZOLE) · Baxter · 9 active US patents · 0 expired

Earliest patent expiry
2028-02-02
2 years remaining
Full patent estate to
2039-10-04
complete protection through 2039
FDA approval
1963
Baxter

Where Metro I.V. In Plastic Container sits in the generic timeline

Imminent generic cliff: earliest active US patent for Metro I.V. In Plastic Container 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.

  • Formulation — 5 patents
  • Method of Use — 4 patents

FDA U-codes carved out by Metro I.V. In Plastic Container 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-1682(no description)
U-1664(no description)
U-3169(no description)

Sample patent estate

Showing 6 of 9 active US patents. View full estate on the Metro I.V. In Plastic Container drug page →

  • US8877792 Formulation · expires 2028-02-02
    This patent protects compositions that increase the solubility of poorly soluble azole drug compounds, such as metronidazole, in water.
    USPTO title: Compositions for increasing solubility of azole drug compounds that are poorly soluble in water
  • US7893097 Formulation · expires 2028-02-19
    This patent protects methods and compositions that increase the solubility of poorly soluble azole drug compounds, such as metronidazole, in water.
    USPTO title: Methods and compositions for increasing solubility of azole drug compounds that are poorly soluble in water
  • US8658678 Method of Use · expires 2028-06-27
    This patent protects methods and compositions that increase the solubility of poorly soluble azole drug compounds, such as metronidazole, in water.
    USPTO title: Methods and compositions for increasing solubility of azole drug compounds that are poorly soluble in water
  • US8946276 Method of Use · expires 2032-06-28
    This patent protects high-dosage mucoadhesive metronidazole gel formulations for treating bacterial vaginosis through intravaginal application.
    USPTO title: High dosage mucoadhesive metronidazole aqueous-based gel formulations and their use to treat bacterial vaginosis
  • US9198858 Method of Use · expires 2032-06-28
    This patent protects methods of treating bacterial vaginosis using mucoadhesive aqueous-based gel formulations of metronidazole.
    USPTO title: Methods of treating bacterial vaginosis with aqueous-based metronidazole gel formulations
  • US10238634 Formulation · expires 2032-06-28
    This patent protects mucoadhesive aqueous-based gel formulations of metronidazole for intravaginal application to treat bacterial vaginosis.
    USPTO title: Aqueous-based metronidazole gel formulations

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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