Making Ivacaftor Easier for the Body to Absorb
A patent describing a specific way to turn a drug molecule into an amorphous solid to help the body absorb it more effectively.
Original patent title: “Solid forms of N-[2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-5-hydroxyphenyl]-1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxamide”
A patent describing a specific way to turn a drug molecule into an amorphous solid to help the body absorb it more effectively. Granted to Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc in 2013 with 26 claims and 50 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes how to create a solid dispersion of a drug molecule, specifically the compound known as Ivacaftor. In its natural state, this molecule is crystalline, which makes it hard for the human body to dissolve and absorb. By creating an amorphous solid dispersion—where the drug is mixed into a polymer matrix like HPMCAS—the molecules are locked in a disordered state that dissolves much faster in the gut. The patent specifically claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → combinations of this drug with polymers and surfactants, often prepared through a process called spray drying.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover the chemical structure of the drug molecule itself.
- Does not cover crystalline forms of the drug.
- Does not cover methods of treating specific diseases like cystic fibrosis.
- Does not cover drug delivery methods that do not use solid dispersions.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in preventing the drug from reverting to its stable, poorly soluble crystalline form by trapping it within a polymer matrix, effectively 'freezing' it in a high-energy, easily dissolvable state.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Kalydeco (ivacaftor) tablets
Orkambi (lumacaftor/ivacaftor) tablets
Symdeko (tezacaftor/ivacaftor) tablets
Trikafta (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor) tablets
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology is essential for the commercial viability of Ivacaftor, a breakthrough treatment for cystic fibrosis. By solving the solubility problem, Vertex Pharmaceuticals enabled the drug to reach the bloodstream in therapeutic concentrations, forming the basis for the Kalydeco medication.
Filed
January 26, 2012
Granted
April 2, 2013
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Vertex Pharmaceuticals remains the primary entity utilizing this specific formulation technology for their cystic fibrosis portfolio. Other pharmaceutical companies use similar amorphous solid dispersion techniques to improve the bioavailability of various poorly soluble drug candidates.
Market impact
This patent helped secure the market position of Vertex Pharmaceuticals in the cystic fibrosis space. It enabled the development of highly effective oral medications that transformed cystic fibrosis from a condition managed by symptoms to one treated by addressing the underlying protein defect.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes how to create a solid dispersion of a drug molecule, specifically the compound known as Ivacaftor. In its natural state, this molecule is crystalline, which makes it hard for the human body to dissolve and absorb. By creating an amorphous solid dispersion—where the drug is mixed into a polymer matrix like HPMCAS—the molecules are locked in a disordered state that dissolves much faster in the gut. The patent specifically claims combinations of this drug with polymers and surfactants, often prepared through a process called spray drying.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in preventing the drug from reverting to its stable, poorly soluble crystalline form by trapping it within a polymer matrix, effectively 'freezing' it in a high-energy, easily dissolvable state.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover the chemical structure of the drug molecule itself.
- Does not cover crystalline forms of the drug.
- Does not cover methods of treating specific diseases like cystic fibrosis.
- Does not cover drug delivery methods that do not use solid dispersions.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
34/40
Moderately cited
Claim breadth
17/20
Very broad protection
Recency
5/20
Granted 10–20 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$307K – $983K
Midpoint $614K · 5.6 yr remaining · industry ×3.0
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
26 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Feng, Y., Rowe, W., Gong, Y., Connelly, P. R., Hurter, P., Costache, A., Trudeau, M., Young, C. R., & Krawiec, M. (2013). Making Ivacaftor Easier for the Body to Absorb (U.S. Patent No. 8,410,274). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8410274/kalydeco-ivacaftor
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Making Ivacaftor Easier for the Body to Absorb cover?
A patent describing a specific way to turn a drug molecule into an amorphous solid to help the body absorb it more effectively.
Who owns patent US 8410274?
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc owns this patent, granted in 2013.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on April 2, 2033, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 8410274 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 50 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology is essential for the commercial viability of Ivacaftor, a breakthrough treatment for cystic fibrosis. By solving the solubility problem, Vertex Pharmaceuticals enabled the drug to reach the bloodstream in therapeutic concentrations, forming the basis for the Kalydeco medication.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover the chemical structure of the drug molecule itself.
Patent monitoring