patent cliff

noun

1. a potential sharp drop in sales and revenue for a company when one of its patents expires:

   the looming patent cliffs faced by pharmaceutical firms.

Word History and Origins

Origin of patent cliff¹

First recorded in 2005–10

Example Sentences

It also has promising drugs like newly launched flu-drug Xofluza but the patent cliff for its HIV treatments will create an earnings gap that will be hard to completely offset.

From Reuters

“I truly believe we’re going to see two or three products come out of these efforts that will help us counter our HIV patent cliff,” he said.

From Reuters

But Shionogi, Japan’s most profitable drugmaker by operating margin, has become open to more risk - prodded into seizing more sales for itself by a looming patent cliff that will see a key HIV drug and three combination medicines exposed to generic competition in nine years time.

From Reuters

The drug faces a so-called patent cliff, when its patents will expire and cheaper generic rivals could enter the market.

From New York Times

When asked whether Bayer faces a “patent cliff” in its pharmaceuticals business once licenses for blockbuster drugs Xarelto and Eylea expire, Dietsch said, “The question is how do you strengthen the pharma pipeline. Do you need a large acquisition or are there other opportunities like cooperations, partnerships licensing deals and perhaps smaller acquisitions?”

From Reuters