Title:Pemetrexed – First-Line Therapy for Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Review of Patent Literature
VOLUME: 16
Author(s):Pratik Ashwinbhai Vora*, Rakesh Patel and Abhay Dharamsi
Affiliation:Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Parul University, Vadodara, Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Parul University, Vadodara, Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Parul University, Vadodara
Keywords:ALIMTA, anticancer, cancer therapy, composition, malignant pleural mesothelioma, oncology, patent, pemetrexed.
Abstract:Background: Pemetrexed is a folate analogue metabolic inhibitor for mammalian cells. Pemetrexed is
established to be toxic to several cancer cells by interfering with their new biosynthesis of nucleotides and thus causing
cell apoptosis. Presently, Pemetrexed is given to patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Objective: This review focuses on the recent patents of Pemetrexed. This assessment includes patents grouped in
segments like crystalline form patent, composition related patents, product patents, as well as a method of treatment. The
aim of this review is to simplify inventors with altogether existing patents at a single place.
Methods: Data were searched from several available databases. In which, paid databases include Orbit® and SciFinder®.
Free databases include Worldwide Espacenet® (EPO), Patentscope® (WIPO), InPASS (Indian patent database) and Google
Patents.
Results: Some new polymorph and composition related inventions of Pemetrexed have been recently patented as its
orange-book listed patents will soon expire in May 2022. Further, because of the problem of oxidation through the
development and continuing storage of Pemetrexed composition, several excipients are experimented within these patents
to stabilize the same. Nevertheless, there is a need for further development of an improved composition of Pemetrexed
with improved characteristics.
Conclusion: Wide research has been conducted on different processes for preparing Pemetrexed and formulation thereof.
Such type of active research may clear the track for the generic companies in the United States which produces in the
reduction of the price of the formulation and hence, providing universal health care at economic prices.
