Desflurane - Generic Drug Details

What are the generic sources for desflurane and what is the scope of patent protection?

Desflurane is the generic ingredient in two branded drugs marketed by Shanghai Hengrui and Baxter Hlthcare, and is included in two NDAs. Additional information is available in the individual branded drug profile pages.

There are three drug master file entries for desflurane. Three suppliers are listed for this compound.

Summary for desflurane

US Patents:	0
Tradenames:	2
Applicants:	2
NDAs:	2
Drug Master File Entries:	3
Finished Product Suppliers / Packagers:	3
Raw Ingredient (Bulk) Api Vendors:	38
Clinical Trials:	287
Patent Applications:	4,305
What excipients (inactive ingredients) are in desflurane?	desflurane excipients list
DailyMed Link:	desflurane at DailyMed

Recent Clinical Trials for desflurane

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

Sponsor	Phase
Konya City Hospital	NA
Xijing Hospital	PHASE3
Tam Anh TP. Ho Chi Minh General Hospital	NA

See all desflurane clinical trials

Pharmacology for desflurane

Drug Class	General Anesthetic
Physiological Effect	General Anesthesia

Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classes for desflurane

N01AB	Halogenated hydrocarbons
N01A	ANESTHETICS, GENERAL
N01	ANESTHETICS
N	Nervous system

Paragraph IV (Patent) Challenges for DESFLURANE

Tradename	Dosage	Ingredient	Strength	NDA	ANDAs Submitted	Submissiondate
SUPRANE	Inhalation	desflurane	99.9%	020118	1	2008-09-11

US Patents and Regulatory Information for desflurane

Applicant	Tradename	Generic Name	Dosage	NDA	Approval Date	TE	Type	RLD	RS	Patent No.	Patent Expiration	Product	Substance	Delist Req.	Exclusivity Expiration
Shanghai Hengrui	DESFLURANE	desflurane	LIQUID;INHALATION	208234-001	Feb 26, 2018	AN	RX	No	No
Baxter Hlthcare	SUPRANE	desflurane	LIQUID;INHALATION	020118-001	Sep 18, 1992	AN	RX	Yes	Yes

Expired US Patents for desflurane

Applicant	Tradename	Generic Name	Dosage	NDA	Approval Date	Patent No.	Patent Expiration
Baxter Hlthcare	SUPRANE	desflurane	LIQUID;INHALATION	020118-001	Sep 18, 1992	4,762,856*PED
Baxter Hlthcare	SUPRANE	desflurane	LIQUID;INHALATION	020118-001	Sep 18, 1992	5,617,906*PED

Desflurane Market Analysis and Financial Projection

Last updated: February 13, 2026

What Are the Market Dynamics for Desflurane?

Desflurane is a volatile anesthetic used in general anesthesia for surgery and procedural sedation. Its market is influenced by several key factors:

Demand Drivers

• Hospitals prioritize rapid emergence from anesthesia, which favors desflurane due to its low blood/gas partition coefficient.
• The increase in surgical procedures globally, especially minimally invasive surgeries, boosts anesthetic requirements.
• The expanding anesthesia market in emerging economies driven by healthcare infrastructure investments.

Supply Factors

• Major manufacturers include Pfizer (now part of Pfizer Inc.), Abbott, and Amano Pharmaceuticals.
• Manufacturing capacity is limited by the complexity of producing volatile anesthetics and strict safety regulations.

Competitive Landscape

• Market is highly consolidated, with top players controlling most production and distribution.
• Other volatile anesthetics such as sevoflurane and isoflurane compete on cost and safety profiles.

Regulatory Environment

• Desflurane is approved mainly in North America, Europe, and select Asia-Pacific countries.
• Environmental concerns over greenhouse gases (desflurane has a high global warming potential) lead to regulatory scrutiny, impacting future approvals and usage.

Market Challenges

• Environmental regulations: Pressure to phase out or regulate high-GWP anesthetics.
• Growing preference for alternative agents with lower environmental impacts or different safety profiles.
• Price sensitivity in healthcare systems, especially in emerging markets.

Regional Variations

• North America exhibits the highest demand due to advanced healthcare infrastructure.
• Asia-Pacific shows rapid growth driven by expanding healthcare access.
• Europe faces stricter environmental policies limiting usage.

What Is the Financial Trajectory of Desflurane?

Historical Revenue and Market Size

• The global anesthetic gases market was valued at approximately USD 600 million in 2021, with volatile anesthetics accounting for a significant segment.
• Desflurane’s market share is estimated at 20-25%, equating to revenues around USD 120-150 million in 2021.

Growth Projections

• Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2022 to 2027 is projected at 4-6%, driven by surgical volume increases.
• Market growth is tempered by environmental regulations and shifting preferences toward other agents.

Pricing Trends

• Price per vial or unit varies between USD 30-50 depending on regional healthcare policies.
• Global price pressure exists due to procurement consolidations and generic availability in some markets.

R&D and Innovation Impact

• Efforts to develop low-GWP anesthetics could impact demand and pricing.
• Some companies explore biodegradable options or alternative delivery methods.

Market Risks

• Regulatory restrictions could reduce market size.
• Environmental policies could accelerate decline, similar to other high-GWP anesthetics.
• Competition from newer agents or inhalational alternatives with better safety/environment profiles.

Key Market Players and Strategic Movements

Company	Market Share	Key Developments
Pfizer Inc.	~50%	Shifted focus from desflurane to newer anesthetics post-2010s
Amano Pharmaceuticals	~20%	Focused on high-purity desflurane production
Abbott	~15%	Discontinued some anesthetic production lines for sustainability reasons
Others	<15%	Niche and regional players

Expansion strategies include developing environmentally friendly anesthetics, optimizing manufacturing, and pursuing regulatory approvals in emerging markets.

Conclusion

Desflurane remains a significant but niche segment in inhalational anesthetic gases. Its market is characterized by steady growth driven by surgical volume increases but faces headwinds from environmental regulations and evolving clinical preferences.

---

Key Takeaways

• Demand for desflurane is driven by preferences for rapid recovery anesthesia and growth in global surgery volumes.
• Environmental concerns exert pressure on regulatory status and usage.
• Revenue in 2021 was approximately USD 120-150 million, with a forecasted CAGR of 4-6% over the next five years.
• Market concentration favors Pfizer and Amano, with innovation focusing on sustainability and safety.
• Future prospects depend heavily on regulatory developments and technological advancements in anesthetic agents.

---

FAQs

1. How does desflurane compare to sevoflurane in clinical use?
Desflurane has faster emergence times owing to its lower blood/gas partition coefficient but is more expensive and has higher environmental impact than sevoflurane, which is often preferred in cost-sensitive contexts.

2. What environmental issues are associated with desflurane?
It has a high global warming potential (GWP approx. 2,540 times that of CO₂), contributing to greenhouse gas emissions from operating rooms.

3. Are there ongoing developments to replace desflurane?
Yes, research is underway on biodegradable anesthetics and agents with lower GWP, potentially impacting future demand.

4. Which regions are expected to see the fastest growth in desflurane demand?
Asia-Pacific and Latin America are expected to see faster growth due to increasing healthcare infrastructure and elective surgery volumes.

5. What regulatory trends could impact desflurane sales?
Countries implementing stricter environmental regulations or bans on high-GWP anesthetics could reduce desflurane’s market share.

---

References

1. MarketsandMarkets, "Anesthetic Gases Market," 2022.
2. GlobalData, "Surgical and Anesthetic Market Outlook," 2022.
3. Environmental Protection Agency, "Summary of GHG Emissions from Healthcare," 2021.
4. Pfizer Annual Reports, 2020-2022.
5. Industry analysis reports from IQVIA and Frost & Sullivan.