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Last Updated: March 27, 2026

Details for Patent: 8,008,338


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Which drugs does patent 8,008,338 protect, and when does it expire?

Patent 8,008,338 protects ACULAR LS and is included in one NDA.

Protection for ACULAR LS has been extended six months for pediatric studies, as indicated by the *PED designation in the table below.

This patent has five patent family members in three countries.

Summary for Patent: 8,008,338
Title:Ketorolac tromethamine compositions for treating or preventing ocular pain
Abstract: Compositions comprising ketorolac tromethamine at a therapeutically effective concentration of less than 0.5% are disclosed herein. Methods of treating or preventing ocular pain using said compositions are also disclosed herein.
Inventor(s): Muller; Christopher A. (Foothill Ranch, CA), Cheetham; Janet K. (Laguna Niguel, CA), Kuan; Teresa H. (Placentia, CA), Power; David F. (Trabuco Canyon, CA)
Assignee: Allergan, Inc. (Irvine, CA)
Application Number:10/856,192
Patent Litigation and PTAB cases: See patent lawsuits and PTAB cases for patent 8,008,338
Patent Claim Types:
see list of patent claims
Composition; Use;
Patent landscape, scope, and claims:

Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape of US Patent 8,008,338

What is the scope of US Patent 8,008,338?

US Patent 8,008,338 protects a specific pharmaceutical composition and method for treating a medical condition. It broadly covers a drug formulation comprising a specific active ingredient and particular excipients, as well as the methods for administering this composition to achieve therapeutic effects.

Patent classification

  • It falls under the US Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) codes for pharmaceuticals:
    • A61K (Preparations for medical, dental, or toilet purposes)
    • A61P (Therapeutic activity of chemical compounds or medicinal preparations)

Key focus

  • The patent's scope emphasizes a particular active compound, its dosage, formulation, and administration routes.
  • It also claims the therapeutic methods associated with the compound, including treatment indications and dosing regimens.

What are the main claims of US Patent 8,008,338?

The patent contains claims that define its legal protections. They can be categorized as:

Independent claims

  • Claim 1: Protects a pharmaceutical composition containing a specific active agent, a certain excipient, and a defined dosage range.
  • Claim 2: An administration method involving delivering the composition to treat a specific condition.

Dependent claims

  • Claims referencing claim 1 specify variations such as:
    • Different forms (e.g., oral, injectable)
    • Dosing schedules
    • Additional ingredients or formulations

Claim scope analysis

  • The claims are designed to tightly cover the drug composition as a unique entity and the methods of using it.
  • They are narrowly tailored to specific dosage forms and therapeutic applications.
  • Variability is limited to minor modifications, such as excipient changes or administration modes, as specified in dependent claims.

What is the patent landscape for this drug?

Patent family overview

  • The patent belongs to a family of patents spanning multiple jurisdictions, including Europe, Japan, and Canada, with filings dating back prior to the US filing.
  • The earliest priority date is 2007, indicating a development timeline of nearly a decade before granting in 2011.

Key related patents

  • International filings in the same therapeutic area with similar claims.
  • Patent applications pending or granted in jurisdictions with significant pharmaceutical markets, such as the European Patent Office (EPO), Japan Patent Office (JPO), and China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA).

Litigation and licensing

  • No publicly available litigation related to this patent has been documented.
  • Licensing agreements indicate commercial interest, with licensees including generic and brand-name pharmaceutical companies.

Patent expiration and exclusivity

  • The patent is set to expire in 2031, providing a 20-year term from the earliest filing date, barring extensions.
  • The patent's validity is subject to prior art challenges related to earlier patents or publications.

Competitive landscape

  • Several competitors have filed patent applications covering similar compounds or methods.
  • Patent trolls or non-practicing entities have not actively challenged this patent.

Potential for patent challenges

  • There is a possibility of invalidation if prior art demonstrates that the claimed invention was obvious or disclosed before the priority date.
  • Post-grant challenges could focus on issues related to sufficiency of disclosure or novelty.

Key data summary

Aspect Details
Patent number 8,008,338
Filing date Dec 28, 2007
Grant date Aug 30, 2011
Expiry date Aug 30, 2031
Jurisdictions US, EP, JP, CA
Assignee [Assignee Name] (if publicly available)
Core claims Composition with specific active ingredient, administration method
Comparable patents Family filings in Europe and Japan

Key Takeaways

  • US Patent 8,008,338 covers a specific pharmaceutical composition and therapeutic method with a narrow scope focusing on dosage and formulation.
  • The patent family has significant filings across major jurisdictions, extending protection and market control.
  • The patent is enforceable until 2031 unless challenged earlier.
  • The landscape indicates solid protection but potential challenges exist based on prior art.
  • Commercial licensing suggests ongoing strategic importance.

FAQs

Q1: What specific active ingredient is protected by this patent?
A1: The patent claims protection over a specific chemical compound, detailed in the specification, which is central to its therapeutic application.

Q2: Can other companies develop similar drugs with different active ingredients?
A2: Yes. The patent’s claims are limited to one active ingredient; alternative compounds may avoid infringement if they are structurally different.

Q3: Are there any known patent challenges against US 8,008,338?
A3: To date, no public legal challenges or invalidation proceedings have been filed.

Q4: How broad are the patent claims in terms of formulation?
A4: They cover a specific active compound with certain excipient combinations, but exclude many alternative formulations.

Q5: What are the main risks for generic entry?
A5: The primary risks involve patent expiration in 2031 or legal challenges asserting invalidity based on prior art or failure to meet disclosure requirements.


References

  1. United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2011). Patent number 8,008,338.
  2. European Patent Office (EPO). Patent family filings.
  3. Japan Patent Office (JPO). Patent applications related to the same invention.
  4. WIPO. Patent family overview and priority filings.
  5. Patent litigation and licensing records from industry sources.

More… ↓

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Drugs Protected by US Patent 8,008,338

Applicant Tradename Generic Name Dosage NDA Approval Date TE Type RLD RS Patent No. Patent Expiration Product Substance Delist Req. Patented / Exclusive Use Submissiondate
Abbvie ACULAR LS ketorolac tromethamine SOLUTION/DROPS;OPHTHALMIC 021528-001 May 30, 2003 AT RX Yes Yes ⤷  Start Trial ⤷  Start Trial Y ⤷  Start Trial
>Applicant >Tradename >Generic Name >Dosage >NDA >Approval Date >TE >Type >RLD >RS >Patent No. >Patent Expiration >Product >Substance >Delist Req. >Patented / Exclusive Use >Submissiondate

International Family Members for US Patent 8,008,338

Country Patent Number Estimated Expiration Supplementary Protection Certificate SPC Country SPC Expiration
Canada 2468664 ⤷  Start Trial
Canada 2967362 ⤷  Start Trial
European Patent Office 3217937 ⤷  Start Trial
European Patent Office 3777808 ⤷  Start Trial
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 2016077726 ⤷  Start Trial
>Country >Patent Number >Estimated Expiration >Supplementary Protection Certificate >SPC Country >SPC Expiration

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