Eli Lilly Granted Extension on Prozac

Drug maker Eli Lilly said it has received a six-month extension of marketing exclusivity for its blockbuster antidepressant Prozac. An August court ruling shortened the patent protection over Prozac to 2001. The Indianapolis-based company had been expected to apply for the six-month extension, which is often granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on key drugs that could be tested on children for further use. The company is expected to see a decline in sales after generic versions of the drug hit the market. Lilly said there is a lack of data on effects of Prozac in children, necessitating the extension. The company said the extension would end Aug. 2, 2001. During that time, no other drug companies would be allowed to market generic forms of Prozac. Lilly closed off 19 cents at $87.69 on the Big Board.