Patent expiry dates for biologicals: 2017 update

Although small molecule drugs still dominate the global pharmaceutical market in terms of numbers, biologicals are making a significant dent. However, the high cost of biologicals is putting increasing pressure on healthcare budgets, thus opening the door to biosimilars. With patents on originator biologicals expiring, biosimilars are expected to take an increasing share of the biologicals market. In light of these facts, this paper gives estimated patent expiry dates for some of the best-selling biologicals.