ATROVENT Drug Patent Profile

When do Atrovent patents expire, and when can generic versions of Atrovent launch?

Atrovent is a drug marketed by Boehringer Ingelheim and is included in five NDAs. There is one patent protecting this drug.

The generic ingredient in ATROVENT is ipratropium bromide. There are eight drug master file entries for this compound. Twenty-one suppliers are listed for this compound. Additional details are available on the ipratropium bromide profile page.

DrugPatentWatch^® Litigation and Generic Entry Outlook for Atrovent

A generic version of ATROVENT was approved as ipratropium bromide by RITEDOSE CORP on January 26^th, 2001.

Summary for ATROVENT

US Patents:	0
Applicants:	1
NDAs:	5
Raw Ingredient (Bulk) Api Vendors:	64
Clinical Trials:	47
Patent Applications:	7,886
Drug Prices:	Drug price information for ATROVENT
What excipients (inactive ingredients) are in ATROVENT?	ATROVENT excipients list
DailyMed Link:	ATROVENT at DailyMed

See drug prices for ATROVENT

Recent Clinical Trials for ATROVENT

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

Sponsor	Phase
Hat Yai Medical Education Center	Phase 3
University of Nevada, Las Vegas	Phase 4
Ohio State University	Phase 4

See all ATROVENT clinical trials

US Patents and Regulatory Information for ATROVENT

Applicant	Tradename	Generic Name	Dosage	NDA	Approval Date	TE	Type	RLD	RS	Patent No.	Patent Expiration	Product	Substance	Delist Req.	Exclusivity Expiration
Boehringer Ingelheim	ATROVENT	ipratropium bromide	AEROSOL, METERED;INHALATION	019085-001	Dec 29, 1986		DISCN	No	No
Boehringer Ingelheim	ATROVENT	ipratropium bromide	SPRAY, METERED;NASAL	020394-001	Oct 20, 1995		DISCN	Yes	No
Boehringer Ingelheim	ATROVENT	ipratropium bromide	SOLUTION;INHALATION	020228-001	Sep 29, 1993		DISCN	Yes	No

Expired US Patents for ATROVENT

Applicant	Tradename	Generic Name	Dosage	NDA	Approval Date	Patent No.	Patent Expiration
Boehringer Ingelheim	ATROVENT	ipratropium bromide	AEROSOL, METERED;INHALATION	019085-001	Dec 29, 1986
Boehringer Ingelheim	ATROVENT	ipratropium bromide	SPRAY, METERED;NASAL	020393-001	Oct 20, 1995
Boehringer Ingelheim	ATROVENT	ipratropium bromide	SPRAY, METERED;NASAL	020394-001	Oct 20, 1995

International Patents for ATROVENT

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

Country	Patent Number	Title	Estimated Expiration
Germany	2903957
Italy	7949417
Belgium	760251

Market Dynamics and Financial Trajectory for Atrovent (Ipratropium Bromide)

Last updated: January 21, 2026

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Summary

Atrovent (Ipratropium Bromide) is a bronchodilator primarily indicated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma management. Its market landscape is shaped by increasing prevalence of respiratory diseases, evolving treatment guidelines, and competitive landscape including generic versions. Revenue streams, patent expirations, and regulatory pathways define its financial trajectory. This report examines current market dynamics, forecasted growth, key drivers, competitive environment, and potential challenges affecting Atrovent’s commercial performance.

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1. Product Overview and Therapeutic Indications

Attribute	Details
Generic Name	Ipratropium Bromide
Brand Name	Atrovent
Formulations	Metered-dose inhaler (MDI), nebulizer solutions
Indications	COPD, Asthma exacerbations, chronic bronchitis
Approval Year	1974 (by Boehringer Ingelheim; later adopted broadly)

2. Market Scope and Value (Global & Regional)

Region	Market Size (USD billion, 2022)	CAGR (2022–2027)	Key Drivers
North America	2.5	4.3%	Rising COPD prevalence, advanced healthcare infrastructure
Europe	1.8	3.8%	Aging population, updated COPD management guidelines
Asia-Pacific	1.2	6.1%	Increasing urbanization, increasing smoking rates, unmet respiratory needs
Rest of World	0.6	4.5%	Limited access, growing disease awareness

Total global market (2022): ~$6.1 billion
Projected market by 2027: ~$8.0 billion

3. Key Market Drivers

Drivers	Impact
Rising prevalence of COPD and asthma	Drives demand; COPD projected to become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030 [1]
Aging populations globally	Increases patient population requiring maintenance therapy
Adoption of inhalation therapy guidelines	Promotes use of anticholinergic agents like Atrovent
Development of combination therapies	Inclusion with other agents (e.g., albuterol derivatives) enhances efficacy
Generic erosion of branded revenues	Heightened competition limits revenue growth for original Atrovent formulations

4. Competitive Landscape

Competitors	Type	Market Share (Estimated, 2022)	Notes
Boehringer Ingelheim (original)	Branded inhaler	~35%	Dominant in developed markets
Cipla, Teva, Mylan (generics)	Generics & biosimilar inhalers	40–50%	Dry powder and solution formulations available
AstraZeneca, Novartis	Adjunct therapies and combinations	N/A	Competitors in combination inhalers

5. Patent and Regulatory Landscape

Patent Status	Details
Original patent expiration	1990s (varied by jurisdiction)
Recent patent challenges / biosimilars	Increased biosimilar filings from 2010 onwards
Regulatory approvals in key markets	US FDA (1974), EMA (1974), Japan PMDA (1974)
Market exclusivity extensions	Limited, due to biosimilar and generic competition

6. Revenue Trends and Financial Trajectory

Year	Estimated Revenue (USD billion)	Notes
2017	1.2	Steady but plateauing
2018	1.3	Introduction of generics impacts sales
2019	1.2	Price erosion observed
2020	1.1	Impact of COVID-19 on inhaler prescriptions
2021	1.2	Resumption of respiratory treatments post-pandemic
2022	1.2–1.3	Market stabilization

Forecast (2023–2027):
Anticipate moderate growth to approximately USD 1.4 billion by 2027, driven by new formulations and combination therapies, offsetting patent and generic impacts.

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7. Market Challenges and Risks

Challenge/Risk	Implication
Patent expiry and generic competition	Revenue erosion, market share decline
Regulatory hurdles for inhaler devices	Potential delays, increased costs
Market saturation	Limits growth, especially in mature markets
Alternative therapies (e.g., LAMA/LABA)	Competition from newer long-acting agents
Pricing pressures	Cost containment measures, reimbursement challenges

8. Future Growth Opportunities

Opportunity Area	Potential Impact
Development of combination inhalers (e.g., ICS + LAMA)	Boosts efficacy and patient compliance, expands indications
Market penetration in emerging regions	Large, underpenetrated markets with rising respiratory disease incidence
Personalized medicine approaches	Tailored therapy to improve outcomes and justify premium pricing
Digital inhaler technologies	Better adherence tracking, data collection, enhanced patient outcomes

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9. Comparative Analysis of Inhaler Therapies

Parameter	Atrovent (Ipratropium Bromide)	Tilted towards	Strengths	Weaknesses
Onset of Action	15–30 minutes	Rapid (compared to LAMA)	Proven efficacy	Short duration (4-6 hours)
Delivery Method	Metered-dose inhaler, nebulizer	Flexible (multiple formulations)	Established safety	Less convenient than dry powders
Cost-effectiveness	Moderate	Cost advantage over branded LAMAs	Widely used	Limited long-term efficacy in severe COPD
Patent & Market Status	Expired patents; generic availability	High competition, price-driven market	Accessibility	Generic pressure limits profit

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10. Comparing Atrovent with Newer Alternatives

Parameter	Atrovent (Ipratropium Bromide)	LAMA (e.g., Tiotropium)	Combination Inhalers (e.g., ICS + LAMA)
Duration of Action	Short (< 6 hours)	Long (> 24 hours)	Varies, typically 12–24 hours
Efficacy in COPD	Moderate	Superior in long-term management	Superior due to dual mechanism
Market Penetration	Mature in many markets	Growing rapidly	Expanding rapidly
Patent Status	No patent restrictions	Several patents active	Combinations often patented

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Conclusion

Atrovent remains a foundational inhaler therapy amid evolving respiratory disease management landscapes. Its market is characterized by high generic penetration, modulated by patent expirations and increasing adoption of combination therapies. The steady shift towards long-acting inhalers and biologic options in severe cases presents both challenges and opportunities for Atrovent’s market stability. Innovation in inhaler delivery devices, expansion into emerging markets, and strategic positioning within combination regimens are key to sustaining revenue streams.

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Key Takeaways

• Market Size & Growth: The global Atrovent market is approximately USD 6.1 billion in 2022, projected to grow to USD 8 billion by 2027.
• Patent and Competition: Patent expirations have led to significant generic competition, pressuring branded revenues.
• Therapeutic Shift: Long-acting agents and combination therapies are encroaching on Atrovent’s market share.
• Regional Dynamics: Asia-Pacific shows the highest growth potential due to rising respiratory disease burden.
• Innovation Pathways: Development of combination inhalers and digital adherence tools will shape future market trajectories.

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FAQs

1. What factors are driving the decline in Atrovent’s market share?
   Patent expirations, increased competition from generics, and the shift towards long-acting inhalers and combination therapies contribute to market share erosion.

2. How is COVID-19 impacting the sales of inhalation therapies like Atrovent?
   Pandemic disruptions temporarily decreased prescriptions due to healthcare access limitations, but recovery has begun with renewed respiratory treatment demand.

3. What regions offer the most growth potential for Atrovent?
   Asia-Pacific exhibits the highest growth potential owing to increasing urbanization, smoking prevalence, and respiratory disease burden.

4. Are there ongoing innovations aiming to extend Atrovent’s market viability?
   Yes, innovations include combination inhalers, improved delivery devices, and digital adherence solutions.

5. How do regulatory policies influence Atrovent’s market trajectory?
   Regulatory approvals facilitate market access, while regulatory pressures on drug pricing and biosimilar entry can impact revenues.

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References

[1] World Health Organization. "Global surveillance, prevention and control of chronic respiratory diseases: a comprehensive approach." 2021.