Flomax - Big Patent Expirations of 2010

Drug: Flomax (tamsulosin HCl)
Company: Boehringer Ingelheim
Indication: BPH
Expiration Date: Oct. 27, 2009/Pediatric Exclusivity through April 27

Scoop: Boehringer Ingelheim and Astellas face the loss of exclusivity for their Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) drug Flomax this year. A top Ranbaxy executive has already said that his company will launch a generic version of Flomax in March, allowing the drugmaker to take advantage of its first-to-file status. Teva and Mylan are among the companies looking to sell their generic copies of the BPH drug. The '063 patent that is set to expire has pediatric exclusivity through April 27.