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Last Updated: December 23, 2024

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LEVULAN Drug Patent Profile


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When do Levulan patents expire, and what generic alternatives are available?

Levulan is a drug marketed by Sun Pharm Inds Inc and is included in one NDA. There are five patents protecting this drug.

This drug has eleven patent family members in three countries.

The generic ingredient in LEVULAN is aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride. There are six drug master file entries for this compound. Three suppliers are listed for this compound. Additional details are available on the aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride profile page.

DrugPatentWatch® Generic Entry Outlook for Levulan

Levulan was eligible for patent challenges on December 3, 2003.

By analyzing the patents and regulatory protections it appears that the earliest date for generic entry will be January 12, 2038. This may change due to patent challenges or generic licensing.

There have been two patent litigation cases involving the patents protecting this drug, indicating strong interest in generic launch. Recent data indicate that 63% of patent challenges are decided in favor of the generic patent challenger and that 54% of successful patent challengers promptly launch generic drugs.

Indicators of Generic Entry

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Drug patent expirations by year for LEVULAN
Drug Prices for LEVULAN

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DrugPatentWatch® Estimated Loss of Exclusivity (LOE) Date for LEVULAN
Generic Entry Date for LEVULAN*:
Constraining patent/regulatory exclusivity:
NDA:
Dosage:
SOLUTION;TOPICAL

*The generic entry opportunity date is the latter of the last compound-claiming patent and the last regulatory exclusivity protection. Many factors can influence early or later generic entry. This date is provided as a rough estimate of generic entry potential and should not be used as an independent source.

Recent Clinical Trials for LEVULAN

Identify potential brand extensions & 505(b)(2) entrants

SponsorPhase
National Cancer Institute (NCI)Phase 2
National Institutes of Health (NIH)Phase 2
Case Comprehensive Cancer CenterPhase 2

See all LEVULAN clinical trials

US Patents and Regulatory Information for LEVULAN

LEVULAN is protected by five US patents.

Based on analysis by DrugPatentWatch, the earliest date for a generic version of LEVULAN is ⤷  Subscribe.

This potential generic entry date is based on patent ⤷  Subscribe.

Generics may enter earlier, or later, based on new patent filings, patent extensions, patent invalidation, early generic licensing, generic entry preferences, and other factors.

Applicant Tradename Generic Name Dosage NDA Approval Date TE Type RLD RS Patent No. Patent Expiration Product Substance Delist Req. Exclusivity Expiration
Sun Pharm Inds Inc LEVULAN aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride SOLUTION;TOPICAL 020965-001 Dec 3, 1999 RX Yes Yes ⤷  Subscribe ⤷  Subscribe ⤷  Subscribe
Sun Pharm Inds Inc LEVULAN aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride SOLUTION;TOPICAL 020965-001 Dec 3, 1999 RX Yes Yes ⤷  Subscribe ⤷  Subscribe ⤷  Subscribe
Sun Pharm Inds Inc LEVULAN aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride SOLUTION;TOPICAL 020965-001 Dec 3, 1999 RX Yes Yes ⤷  Subscribe ⤷  Subscribe ⤷  Subscribe
Sun Pharm Inds Inc LEVULAN aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride SOLUTION;TOPICAL 020965-001 Dec 3, 1999 RX Yes Yes ⤷  Subscribe ⤷  Subscribe ⤷  Subscribe
>Applicant >Tradename >Generic Name >Dosage >NDA >Approval Date >TE >Type >RLD >RS >Patent No. >Patent Expiration >Product >Substance >Delist Req. >Exclusivity Expiration

Expired US Patents for LEVULAN

Applicant Tradename Generic Name Dosage NDA Approval Date Patent No. Patent Expiration
Sun Pharm Inds Inc LEVULAN aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride SOLUTION;TOPICAL 020965-001 Dec 3, 1999 ⤷  Subscribe ⤷  Subscribe
Sun Pharm Inds Inc LEVULAN aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride SOLUTION;TOPICAL 020965-001 Dec 3, 1999 ⤷  Subscribe ⤷  Subscribe
Sun Pharm Inds Inc LEVULAN aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride SOLUTION;TOPICAL 020965-001 Dec 3, 1999 ⤷  Subscribe ⤷  Subscribe
Sun Pharm Inds Inc LEVULAN aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride SOLUTION;TOPICAL 020965-001 Dec 3, 1999 ⤷  Subscribe ⤷  Subscribe
>Applicant >Tradename >Generic Name >Dosage >NDA >Approval Date >Patent No. >Patent Expiration

International Patents for LEVULAN

When does loss-of-exclusivity occur for LEVULAN?

Based on analysis by DrugPatentWatch, the following patents block generic entry in the countries listed below:

Australia

Patent: 19200152
Patent: Methods for photodynamic therapy
Estimated Expiration: ⤷  Subscribe

Patent: 20103365
Patent: Methods for photodynamic therapy
Estimated Expiration: ⤷  Subscribe

Patent: 20267186
Patent: Methods for photodynamic therapy
Estimated Expiration: ⤷  Subscribe

Patent: 21102111
Patent: Methods for photodynamic therapy
Estimated Expiration: ⤷  Subscribe

Patent: 21107564
Patent: Methods for photodynamic therapy
Estimated Expiration: ⤷  Subscribe

Patent: 22209242
Patent: METHODS FOR PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY
Estimated Expiration: ⤷  Subscribe

Canada

Patent: 29792
Patent: METHODES DE THERAPIE PHOTODYNAMIQUE (METHODS FOR PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY)
Estimated Expiration: ⤷  Subscribe

Japan

Patent: 11268
Estimated Expiration: ⤷  Subscribe

Patent: 19123708
Patent: 光線力学療法のための局所用組成物、閉塞性ドレッシング材、それを用いたキット、光線力学療法材料、および光線力学療法のための方法 (TOPICAL COMPOSITION FOR PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY, OCCLUSIVE DRESSING MATERIAL, KIT USING THE SAME, PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY MATERIAL, AND METHOD FOR PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY)
Estimated Expiration: ⤷  Subscribe

Patent: 23130447
Patent: 光線力学的治療のための局所用組成物、閉塞性ドレッシング材、それを用いたキット、光線力学的治療用材料、および光線力学的治療のための方法 (TOPICAL COMPOSITION FOR PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY, OBSTRUCTIVE DRESSING MATERIAL, KIT USING THE SAME, MATERIAL FOR PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY, AND METHOD FOR PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY)
Estimated Expiration: ⤷  Subscribe

Generics may enter earlier, or later, based on new patent filings, patent extensions, patent invalidation, early generic licensing, generic entry preferences, and other factors.

See the table below for additional patents covering LEVULAN around the world.

Country Patent Number Title Estimated Expiration
Canada 2461070 METHODE PHOTOCHIMIOTHERAPEUTIQUE FAISANT APPEL A DES PRECURSEURS DE LA PROTOPORPHYRINE (PHOTOCHEMOTHERAPEUTIC METHOD USING PRECURSORS OF PROTOPORPHYRIN IX) ⤷  Subscribe
Australia 2021102111 Methods for photodynamic therapy ⤷  Subscribe
New Zealand 251284 USE OF A PROTOPORPHYRIN IX PRECURSOR (PREFERABLY 5-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID) TO PREPARE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS ⤷  Subscribe
Canada 3029792 METHODES DE THERAPIE PHOTODYNAMIQUE (METHODS FOR PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY) ⤷  Subscribe
>Country >Patent Number >Title >Estimated Expiration

LEVULAN Market Analysis and Financial Projection Experimental

Market Dynamics and Financial Trajectory for LEVULAN

Introduction to LEVULAN

LEVULAN, also known as aminolevulinic acid (ALA), is a photosensitizing agent used in the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK), a precursor to skin cancer. It is commonly used in conjunction with photodynamic therapy (PDT) to target and destroy abnormal cells.

Market Size and Growth

The market for actinic keratosis treatments, which includes LEVULAN, has seen significant growth in recent years. The global photodynamic therapy market, which is a key segment for LEVULAN, was valued at $1.77 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $3.43 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7% from 2024 to 2032[4].

Regional Market Performance

  • North America: This region dominates the photodynamic therapy market, including treatments like LEVULAN, due to the high prevalence of chronic disorders such as actinic keratosis. The increasing number of inpatient and outpatient admissions in healthcare settings further supports this dominance[4].
  • Europe: Europe is also a significant market, driven by the growing prevalence of chronic skin disorders and the increasing focus of key players on research and development to launch novel products[4].

Product Approval and Regulatory Environment

LEVULAN is approved for the lesion-directed therapy of actinic keratosis on the face and scalp. The regulatory environment plays a crucial role in its market dynamics. For instance, Biofrontera, the company behind LEVULAN, has coordinated with regulatory bodies such as the FDA to ensure compliance and expand indications. In 2017, Biofrontera received written confirmation from the FDA for the approval path of Ameluz® (another product related to LEVULAN) to treat basal cell carcinoma, highlighting the ongoing regulatory efforts[3].

Sales and Revenue Performance

Biofrontera, the company associated with LEVULAN, has seen significant revenue growth. In the first half of 2017, the company's sales revenue leaped by 193% year-on-year, reaching EUR 5.0 million. This growth was partly due to the expansion of sales and marketing activities in the USA and the resolution of initial reimbursement difficulties[3].

Challenges and Opportunities

  • Reimbursement Issues: One of the challenges faced by LEVULAN is the complexity of reimbursement processes. For example, in the USA, reimbursement was initially time-consuming and costly for physicians until a specific J-code was allocated to Ameluz®, which simplified billing[3].
  • Generic Competition: The actinic keratosis treatment market, including LEVULAN, faces competition from generic drugs. The loss of patent exclusivities for many treatment options has led to the penetration of generics, which can lower revenue generation capacity[1].

End-User Segments

The hospitals segment is a major end-user for LEVULAN and other actinic keratosis treatments. In 2022, hospitals captured the largest revenue share of 30.4% in the U.S. actinic keratosis treatment market, driven by factors such as treatment accessibility and the increasing number of photodynamic therapy procedures performed in hospitals[1].

Competitive Landscape

The market for photodynamic therapy and actinic keratosis treatments is consolidated with a few key players. Companies like Biofrontera are focusing on expanding their product portfolios and geographical reach. The competitive landscape is characterized by strong commercial performance of products like Fluroplex, Carac, and Efudex, which are also used to treat actinic keratosis[1].

Research and Development

Continuous research and development are crucial for the growth of LEVULAN and related products. Biofrontera has been involved in various clinical trials and has received approvals for new indications, such as the use of Ameluz® for basal cell carcinoma. These efforts help in expanding the market opportunities and sales revenues[3].

Financial Trajectory

  • Revenue Growth: The revenue growth for LEVULAN is tied to the overall growth of the photodynamic therapy market. With a projected CAGR of 7.7% from 2024 to 2032, the financial trajectory looks promising[4].
  • Operational Costs: Despite revenue growth, operational costs such as research and development expenses and sales costs are significant. For instance, Biofrontera's research and development costs were EUR 2.185 million in the first half of 2017[3].

Key Takeaways

  • LEVULAN is a key player in the photodynamic therapy market for treating actinic keratosis.
  • The market is driven by increasing prevalence of chronic skin disorders and expanding regulatory approvals.
  • Challenges include generic competition and reimbursement complexities.
  • Hospitals are a significant end-user segment.
  • Continuous R&D and strategic market expansion are crucial for growth.

FAQs

Q: What is LEVULAN used for? A: LEVULAN is used in the treatment of actinic keratosis, a precursor to skin cancer, often in conjunction with photodynamic therapy.

Q: What is the current market size of the photodynamic therapy market? A: The global photodynamic therapy market was valued at $1.77 billion in 2023[4].

Q: What is the projected growth rate of the photodynamic therapy market? A: The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2024 to 2032[4].

Q: What are the main challenges faced by LEVULAN in the market? A: The main challenges include generic competition and reimbursement complexities[1][3].

Q: Which region dominates the photodynamic therapy market? A: North America dominates the market due to the high prevalence of chronic disorders such as actinic keratosis[4].

Cited Sources

  1. Grand View Research - U.S. Actinic Keratosis Treatment Market Size Report, 2030
  2. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited - Annual Report 2023-24
  3. Biofrontera AG - Half-year financial report as at June 30, 2017
  4. Fortune Business Insights - Photodynamic Therapy Market Size, Share | Global Report, 2032
  5. Bloomberg Quint - VOICES, Motilal Oswal Strategy Voices

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