3 chapters across the catalog
Pfizer Patent Extensions and Generic Drug Battles
Pfizer is accused of using the Whitney Houston tragedy to lobby against generic drugs and protect its patents for medications like Xanax. The company is also seeking extensions for Viagra's active ingredient, Revatio, to offset massive revenue losses from Lipitor going off-patent.
The pharmaceutical industry faces a significant "patent cliff" in 2012 as major drugs like Lipitor lose patent protection. The hosts argue that the industry's heavy lobbying for SOPA was primarily aimed at shutting down international generic drug competition rather than protecting digital media.
Pharmaceutical Patent Expirations and Vaccine Profits
The pharmaceutical industry faces a "patent cliff" in 2011, with major drugs like Lipitor losing exclusivity, representing $50 billion in annual sales. The hosts suggest the industry is pivoting toward vaccines, which have less liability and higher profit margins. They also note recent multi-billion dollar acquisitions of biotech firms like Genentech and Genzyme as part of this market shift.
