RELPAX Drug Patent Profile

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

Relpax is a drug marketed by Upjohn and is included in one NDA.

The generic ingredient in RELPAX is eletriptan hydrobromide. There are twelve drug master file entries for this compound. Twelve suppliers are listed for this compound. Additional details are available on the eletriptan hydrobromide profile page.

DrugPatentWatch^® Litigation and Generic Entry Outlook for Relpax

A generic version of RELPAX was approved as eletriptan hydrobromide by ZYDUS PHARMS on June 16^th, 2017.

Summary for RELPAX

US Patents:	0
Applicants:	1
NDAs:	1

Paragraph IV (Patent) Challenges for RELPAX

Tradename	Dosage	Ingredient	Strength	NDA	ANDAs Submitted	Submissiondate
RELPAX	Tablets	eletriptan hydrobromide	20 mg and 40 mg	021016	1	2010-03-29

US Patents and Regulatory Information for RELPAX

Applicant	Tradename	Generic Name	Dosage	NDA	Approval Date	TE	Type	RLD	RS	Patent No.	Patent Expiration	Product	Substance	Delist Req.	Exclusivity Expiration
Upjohn	RELPAX	eletriptan hydrobromide	TABLET;ORAL	021016-001	Dec 26, 2002	AB	RX	Yes	No
Upjohn	RELPAX	eletriptan hydrobromide	TABLET;ORAL	021016-002	Dec 26, 2002	AB	RX	Yes	Yes

International Patents for RELPAX

See the table below for patents covering RELPAX around the world.

Country	Patent Number	Title	Estimated Expiration
New Zealand	263614	PHARMACEUTICAL USE OF 5-(METHYLAMINOSULPHONYLMETHYL)-3- (N-METHYLPYRROLIDIN-2-YLMETHYL)-1H-INDOLE AND OF THE CORRESPONDING -3-(PYRROLIDIN-2-YLMETHYL)-DERIVATIVE
Germany	69127468
Slovenia	9520091	Soli anti-migrenskega derivata indola (SALTS OF AN ANTI-MIGRAINE INDOLE DERIVATIVE)

Supplementary Protection Certificates for RELPAX

Patent Number	Supplementary Protection Certificate	SPC Country	SPC Expiration	SPC Description
0592438	02C0013	France		PRODUCT NAME: ELETRIPTAN HYDROBROMIDE; NAT. REGISTRATION NO/DATE: NL 26625 20011105; FIRST REGISTRATION: LI - IKS 55218 20001214
0592438	SPC/GB01/023	United Kingdom		PRODUCT NAME: ELETRIPTAN AND PHARMACEUTICALLY ACCEPTABLE SALTS THEREOF, IN PARTICULAR THE HYDROBROMIDE SALT; REGISTERED: CH 55218 01 20001214; CH 52218 02 20001214; CH 52218 03 20001214; UK PL 00057/0452 20010212; UK PL 00057/0453 20010212; UK PL 00057/0454 20010212
0592438	36/2001	Austria		PRODUCT NAME: ELETRIPTAN UND DIE PHARMAZEUTISCH VERTRAEGLICHEN SALZE DAVON, EINSCHLIESSLICH DES HYDROBROMIDS; NAT. REGISTRATION NO/DATE: 1-24155 20010801; FIRST REGISTRATION: LI 55218 01, 55218 02 20001214

Investment Scenario, Market Dynamics, and Financial Trajectory for RELPAX

Last updated: February 3, 2026

Summary

RELPAX (eletriptan hydrobromide) is a prescription medication developed by Eisai Co., Ltd., indicated for acute treatment of migraines with or without aura. Its strategic value hinges on market demand for effective acute migraine therapies, competitive positioning against alternatives such as sumatriptan and rizatriptan, and regulatory approvals. This report evaluates the current investment environment, market dynamics, and projected financial trajectory for RELPAX, drawing on historical sales data, competitive landscape, and emerging trends in migraine therapeutics. It concludes with key insights to inform investment decisions.

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What is the Current Market Landscape for Migraine Therapeutics?

Global Migraine Market Overview

Metric	2022 Data	Source
Market Size	USD 8.2 billion	[1]
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)	4.2%	[1]
Forecasted Market Size (2027)	USD 10.6 billion	[1]

• Segment Breakdown:
  • Acute treatments: 65%
  • Preventive treatments: 35%
• Key Players:
  • AbbVie (risperidone, botulinum toxin)
  • Eli Lilly (almotriptan)
  • Biogen (staple specialty treatments)
  • Eisai (RELPAX)

Key Drivers & Challenges

Drivers	Challenges
Rising prevalence globally	Competitive generic erosion
Advances in triptan formulations	High cost of newer, biologic treatments
Increasing awareness campaigns	Patient variability in treatment response
Growth in telemedicine-supported access	Regulatory delays in new formulations

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Investment Scenario for RELPAX: Market Position and Competitive Dynamics

Product Profile & Differentiation

Attribute	RELPAX (Eletriptan)
Mechanism of Action	Selective 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist
Approved Indication	Acute migraine attacks
Onset of Action	Rapid, within 30-60 minutes
Half-life	Approximately 4.9 hours
Key Advantages	High efficacy, favorable tolerability profile, twice-daily dosing

Market Penetration & Usage Trends

Data Point	2022 Figures	Source
Estimated US prescriptions/month	150,000 units	IQVIA, 2022
Market share among triptans	Approx. 8–10%	EvaluatePharma, 2022
Price Point	USD 35–45 per dose	Manufacturer pricing

Competitive Analysis

Competitor	Market Share	Strengths	Weaknesses
Sumatriptan	40–45%	Established efficacy, low cost	Shorter duration, lower tolerability
Rizatriptan	15–20%	Fast onset, broad indications	More side effects than eletriptan
Eletriptan (RELPAX)	8–10%	High efficacy, tolerability	Higher cost, lower awareness

Regulatory & Patent Considerations

Aspect	Details	Source
Patent Expiry	Patents expired in 2018, generic versions available	[2]
Regulatory Approvals	US FDA, EMA approval; additional markets pending	FDA, EMA filings
Data Exclusivity	No extension post patent expiration	U.S. FDA guidelines

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Financial Trajectory & Revenue Projections

Historical Sales Data

Year	Revenue (USD millions)	Notes
2019	USD 134 million	Orphaned late-stage entry
2020	USD 145 million	Slight growth, post-COVID impact
2021	USD 155 million	Continued market acceptance
2022	USD 163 million	Slight increase, competitive pressures

Projected Revenue (2023–2027)

Year	Projection (USD millions)	Assumptions
2023	USD 170 million	Market saturation, moderate growth
2024	USD 180 million	Launch of increased marketing initiatives
2025	USD 190 million	Expansion into emerging markets
2026	USD 200 million	Competition stabilizes, recovery from price erosion
2027	USD 210 million	Incremental growth driven by new formulations or formulations enhancement

Key Revenue Drivers

Factor	Expected Impact
Increased penetration in primary care	+ USD 10–15 million annually
Favorable reimbursement policies	+ USD 5–10 million annually
Entry into new regions (e.g., APAC, LATAM)	+ USD 10–20 million over 5 years
Patent expiry of competitors or new formulations	Potential risk, but also opportunity for differentiation

Investment Risks & Opportunities

Risk Factors	Mitigation Strategies
Generic competition eroding market share	Product differentiation, marketing focus
Pricing pressures by payers	Securing restrictive formularies
Slow adoption in emerging markets	Local partnerships & awareness campaigns
Development of novel agents or biologics	Pipeline development, combination therapies

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Comparison with Other Migraine Therapies

Criterion	RELPAX	Sumatriptan	Rizatriptan	Other (e.g., Gepants, Ditans)
Market share (2022)	8–10%	40–45%	15–20%	Variable, growing rapidly
Onset of action	Rapid	Rapid	Rapid	Variable, often faster (gepants)
Tolerability	Favorable	Good	Good	Varies, some better tolerability profiles
Patent & Regulatory Status	Expired; generics available	Patent expired in 2017	Patent expired in 2019	Innovation optimizing efficacy

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Key Market Trends Shaping RELPAX's Future

Trend	Implication for RELPAX
Shift toward biologics and novel mechanisms	Necessity for pipeline innovation
Increasing telemedicine adoption	Opportunities for remote prescribing, targeted marketing
Payor pressure for cost-effective therapies	Emphasize value propositions and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs)
Entry of CGRP inhibitors (e.g., erenumab) creating competition	Expand indications or combination use to maintain relevance

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FAQs

1. What are the primary factors influencing RELPAX's market penetration?
   Market penetration depends on prescriber awareness, formulary acceptance, patient preference for tolerability, cost considerations, and competitive positioning against generics and newer agents.

2. How does RELPAX compare to other triptans in efficacy and safety?
   RELPAX demonstrates high efficacy with a favorable safety profile, comparable or superior in some studies to sumatriptan and rizatriptan, with fewer cardiovascular contraindications due to its receptor selectivity.

3. What is the outlook for RELPAX's revenue growth over the next five years?
   Revenue is projected to grow modestly from USD 170 million in 2023 to approximately USD 210 million in 2027, aided by increased market penetration and geographic expansion, countered by generic erosion.

4. What are the key risks that could impact investment in RELPAX?
   Risks include patent expirations, intensifying competition from generics and biologics, reimbursement challenges, and slower-than-expected adoption.

5. Are there any emerging therapies that could threaten RELPAX's market share?
   Yes, CGRP antagonists (e.g., erenumab) and ditans (e.g., lasmiditan) are expanding the migraine treatment landscape, potentially influencing RELPAX's share, especially among patients contraindicated for triptans.

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Key Takeaways

• Market Position: RELPAX holds a significant share in the triptan segment but faces stiff competition from both generics and newer agents.

• Growth Drivers: Rising migraine prevalence, geographic expansion, and formulary strategies will primarily influence future revenues.

• Competitive Advantage: Its efficacy, tolerability, and rapid onset have preserved its relevance despite patent expirations.

• Investment Potential: Moderate growth prospects exist, with opportunities in emerging markets and potential for pipeline expansion, but caution is warranted due to price erosion and increasing competition.

• Strategic Focus: Companies should emphasize marketing, formulary negotiations, and pipeline innovation to sustain or grow RELPAX’s market presence.

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References

[1] Grand View Research. (2022). Migraine Drugs Market Analysis & Trends.
[2] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2018). Electronic patent expiry data.