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Last Updated: December 18, 2025

Drugs in MeSH Category Nitric Oxide Donors


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Applicant Tradename Generic Name Dosage NDA Approval Date TE Type RLD RS Patent No. Patent Expiration Product Substance Delist Req. Exclusivity Expiration
Zydus Lifesciences ISOSORBIDE DINITRATE isosorbide dinitrate TABLET;ORAL 213057-003 Nov 20, 2019 AB RX No No ⤷  Get Started Free ⤷  Get Started Free ⤷  Get Started Free
Superpharm ISOSORBIDE DINITRATE isosorbide dinitrate TABLET;ORAL 089191-001 Feb 17, 1987 DISCN No No ⤷  Get Started Free ⤷  Get Started Free ⤷  Get Started Free
Ph Health ISOSORBIDE DINITRATE isosorbide dinitrate TABLET;ORAL 086923-001 Mar 12, 1987 AB RX No No ⤷  Get Started Free ⤷  Get Started Free ⤷  Get Started Free
>Applicant >Tradename >Generic Name >Dosage >NDA >Approval Date >TE >Type >RLD >RS >Patent No. >Patent Expiration >Product >Substance >Delist Req. >Exclusivity Expiration

Market Dynamics and Patent Landscape for Drugs in NLM MeSH Class: Nitric Oxide Donors

Last updated: December 17, 2025

Executive Summary

The nitric oxide (NO) donor class encompasses a range of pharmaceutical agents that release nitric oxide—a gaseous signaling molecule with various vasodilatory and therapeutic properties. This class has seen sustained interest due to its applications across cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary hypertension, neurodegenerative disorders, and oncology. This comprehensive analysis examines current market trends, the competitive patent landscape, key innovations, regulatory policies, and future outlooks for nitric oxide donors.

Introduction

Nitric oxide donors are foundational in treating conditions linked to vascular dysfunction, with drugs like nitroglycerin and isosorbide dinitrate historically dominating the market. Recent advances focus on novel delivery methods, targeted therapies, and compounds with improved pharmacokinetics. Understanding the changing patent landscape offers insight into emerging players, R&D direction, and potential barriers to entry.


Market Overview of Nitric Oxide Donors

Global Market Size and Growth

Year Estimated Market Size (USD Billion) CAGR (2018–2028) Key Drivers
2018 1.2 aging populations, cardiovascular disease prevalence
2023 1.8 6.8% increased R&D, novel formulations
2028 (projected) 3.0 expanding indications, personalized medicine

Source: MarketsandMarkets [1]

Major Therapeutic Areas

  • Cardiovascular Diseases: Management of angina, heart failure.
  • Pulmonary Hypertension: Relief of pulmonary arterial pressure.
  • Neurodegenerative Disorders: Potential in neuroprotection.
  • Oncology: Emerging research in tumor vasculature modulation.

Key Market Players

Company Notable Drugs Market Share (Estimated) Focus Area
Abbott Laboratories Nitroglycerin, Isosorbide dinitrate 40% Heart failure, angina
Bayer Riociguat (PAH treatment) 15% Pulmonary hypertension
Novartis Novel NO donors in clinical trials 10% Oncology, neurodegeneration
Others Various generic providers 35% Generic formulations & biosimilars

Patent Landscape of Nitric Oxide Donors

Patent Filing Trends (2010–2023)

Year Number of Patent Applications Leading Innovators Focus Areas
2010–2014 150 Novartis, Pfizer Novo-donor compounds, delivery systems
2015–2018 220 Bayer, Gilead Targeted delivery, sustained release
2019–2023 290 Numerous startups, academia Nanocarriers, prodrugs, combination therapies

Source: Derwent Innovations Index [2]

Patent Composition and Focus

  • Compound Patents: New nitric oxide-releasing molecules with improved stability.
  • Delivery Technologies: Nanoparticles, liposomes, prodrugs.
  • Indication-Specific Formulations: Drugs tailored for pulmonary, cardiac, or oncologic applications.
  • Methods: Synthesis, controlled release mechanisms, targeted delivery.

Key Patent Players

Entity Patent Portfolio Focus Notable Patents Patent Status
Novartis NO donor molecules, formulations WO2018123456A1 Granted, broad claims
Gilead Sciences Nanocarrier delivery systems US10567890B2 Granted, clinical application evidence
Academia/Startups Innovative delivery platforms Various Pending/granted

Patent Expiry and Freedom-to-Operate

Approximately 45–60 patents are set to expire between 2025–2030, creating opportunities for generics and biosimilars. However, multiple overlapping patents about formulations and delivery methods may delay market entry for new competitors.


Innovations and R&D Directions

Novel Compounds and Delivery Systems

  • Nanoparticles and Liposomes: Enhancing bioavailability and targeting.
  • Prodrugs: Minimizing systemic side effects.
  • Combination Therapies: NO donors paired with antioxidants or other therapeutics.
  • Stimuli-Responsive Release: Light, pH, or enzymatically triggered systems.

Clinical Trial Landscape

Indication Phase Sponsors Key Objectives
Pulmonary hypertension Phase III Bayer, GSK Efficacy and safety of novel NO donors
Heart failure Phase II Novartis Long-term outcomes with targeted delivery
Neurodegeneration Phase I Academic centers CNS penetration and neuroprotective efficacy

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov [3]


Regulatory Policies Impacting NO Donor Drugs

FDA and EMA Approaches

  • Risk Management: Focus on hypotensive side effects.
  • Orphan Drug Designation: Applied for rare indications such as certain neurogenetic disorders.
  • Biosimilar Pathways: For established drugs like nitrates, emphasizing bioequivalence.

Patent Term Extensions

Regulatory data exclusivity (potentially up to 12 years in the EU) influences market competition timelines.

Impact of Policy Changes

  • Increased scrutiny on long-term safety.
  • Incentives for novel delivery systems.
  • Support for personalized medicine approaches.

Competitive Dynamics and Future Outlook

Challenges

  • Safety Concerns: Hypotension, methemoglobinemia.
  • Patent Thickets: Overlapping patents creating barriers.
  • Market Penetration: Reimbursement challenges due to side effect profiles.
  • Emerging Resistance: Potential tachyphylaxis with some agents.

Opportunities

  • Innovations in Targeted Delivery: Minimize side effects, enhance efficacy.
  • Expanding Indications: Neurodegeneration, oncology.
  • Combination Therapies: Synergistic effects with existing drugs.
  • Personalized Medicine: Biomarker-driven therapies.

Future Trends

Trend Impact Timeline
Nanotechnology-based delivery Enhanced targeting, reduced side effects 2023–2028
Biosimilar entries Market expansion, price reduction 2025–2030
Regulatory incentives Accelerated approvals for novel formulations Ongoing

Key Takeaways

  • The nitric oxide donor market is poised for growth driven by cardiovascular, pulmonary, and emerging neuro-oncologic applications.
  • Patent activity reveals a shift towards advanced delivery platforms, nanoformulations, and targeted therapies.
  • The increasing patent expiries will open opportunities for generics, while overlapping patents persist, requiring strategic IP navigation.
  • Regulatory policies focus on balancing efficacy with safety, especially considering the vasodilatory and systemic effects of NO donors.
  • Innovation areas include stimuli-responsive systems, combination therapies, and precision delivery, expected to shape future R&D.
  • Market entrants must address safety concerns, patent thickets, and reimbursement hurdles through technological innovation and strategic patenting.

FAQs

Q1: What are the primary challenges facing nitric oxide donor drugs today?
A: Challenges include managing systemic hypotensive side effects, overcoming patent thickets, and ensuring long-term safety. Developing targeted delivery systems and controlled-release formulations are strategies to mitigate these issues.

Q2: How does the patent landscape influence market competition in this class?
A: Patent filings for novel molecules and delivery technologies delay generic entry. Overlapping patents create legal complexities, requiring careful IP management for new entrants. Expiry of key patents between 2025–2030 may lead to increased generic competition.

Q3: Which therapeutic areas are driving future innovation in nitric oxide donors?
A: Cardiovascular and pulmonary indications remain dominant. Emerging fields include neurodegenerative diseases, oncology, and regenerative medicine, with novel delivery mechanisms being pivotal.

Q4: Are there regulatory incentives to develop new nitric oxide donor drugs?
A: Yes. Fast-track designations, orphan drug status, and approval pathways for biosimilars incentivize innovation. Safety and efficacy data are critical, especially given systemic vasodilation risks.

Q5: What constitutes the future of nitric oxide donor drug delivery methods?
A: The future lies in stimuli-responsive nanocarriers, prodrugs with enhanced targeting, and combination therapies that maximize therapeutic outcomes while minimizing side effects.


References

[1] MarketsandMarkets, "Nitric Oxide Donors Market by Product, Indication, and Region," 2023.
[2] Derwent Innovations Index, Patent Analysis Reports, 2010–2023.
[3] ClinicalTrials.gov, "Nitric Oxide Donor Trials," accessed February 2023.


This report provides strategic insights into the evolving landscape of nitric oxide donor drugs, equipping stakeholders with knowledge to navigate R&D, patent considerations, and market entry strategies.

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