Kiddie Viagra Could Earn Patent Extension For Pfizer

Viagra for kids? That sounds… well, wrong. But apparently, low doses of the erectile dysfunction drug can help children stricken by a rare lung disorder. It could also earn Pfizer a six-month extension on the patent for its blue-chip brand.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension strikes around 600 children each year, and some doctors have had success treating young patients with small doses of Viagra (produced under the name Revatio).

An FDA advisory panel will meet Thursday to discuss whether or not to recommend approving Revatio.

If the FDA, who originally requested that Pfizer develop the for-kids version of Viagra, gives the thumbs-up to Revatio, Pfizer will be rewarded with a six-month extension of its exclusive patent on Viagra.

The Viagra patent is set to expire in 2012, after which other drug companies would be free to sell generic versions of the drug’s active ingredient, Seldenafil. Considering that Pfizer made $1.89 billion from Viagra in 2009, an extra six months of exclusive sales would be a huge financial windfall for the company.

It would also mean another six months of commercials featuring middle-aged men jamming out to “Viva Viagra” in their garage… Lord help us all.

Kiddie Viagra may get Pfizer a patent extension [NY Post]

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