Legal & Disputes
Acadia Pharmaceuticals Sees NUPLAZID Patent Decision in First Half of 2027
By News Desk ·
Key takeaways
- Oral arguments were held before a three-judge Federal Circuit panel in Acadia's appeal of the May 2025 Delaware district court decision upholding the '721 patent.
- Acadia expects NUPLAZID protection to February 2038 if the judgment stands, or October 2030 under the composition of matter patent and pediatric exclusivity.
- Acadia expects NUPLAZID to be subject to a negotiated price under the Inflation Reduction Act taking effect in 2029.
Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. said oral arguments were held before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in its appeal of a May 2025 Delaware district court decision upholding its '721 patent covering the NUPLAZID 34 mg capsule formulation. The company expects a ruling in the first half of 2027, Business Wire reported.
Acadia's Case Before the Federal Circuit
Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a San Diego-based drugmaker whose commercial portfolio includes the first and only FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson's disease psychosis and Rett syndrome. NUPLAZID (pimavanserin) was approved for hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson's disease psychosis in April 2016.
The appeal concerns U.S. Patent No. 11,452,721, which covers the NUPLAZID 34 mg capsule formulation. A three-judge panel heard the arguments, and a decision requires a majority of two of the three judges. Acadia said there is no set timeline for a ruling but expects one in the first half of 2027.
"We continue to believe in the strength of our position on the NUPLAZID formulation patent, on which the Federal Circuit heard oral arguments today," said Catherine Owen Adams, Chief Executive Officer of Acadia. "Acadia believes the district court's decision is supported by the facts established at trial and by applicable law."
If the district court's judgment is upheld, Acadia expects the '721 patent to protect the NUPLAZID 34 milligram capsule formulation until February 2038. If it is not upheld, Acadia expects protection to extend to October 2030, based on pimavanserin's composition of matter patent, which the Federal Circuit previously upheld, and associated pediatric exclusivity.
Acadia's Revenue Base Behind NUPLAZID
According to akta.pro company records, Acadia reported full year 2025 GAAP total revenues of $1.07 billion, up 12% year-over-year and the company's first time surpassing $1 billion in annual revenue. The company reaffirmed 2026 revenue guidance of $1.22 billion to $1.28 billion. Acadia's total funding on record is $811.7 million, with the last round a 2019-09 post ipo equity of $287.5 million.
Earlier Acadia Disclosures This Fall
On November 4, 2026, Acadia reported third quarter 2026 GAAP total revenues of $342 million, up 22% year-over-year, with NUPLAZID net sales of $202 million up 12%, according to Stock Titan. On October 23, 2026, The future of trading reported that executive vice president Elizabeth H.Z. Thompson would retire as research and development head on October 23, 2026, for personal reasons. On October 13, 2026, GlobeNewswire reported that Pomerantz LLP was investigating securities fraud claims on behalf of Acadia investors.
Acadia's 2029 Pricing Step
Acadia said that under the Inflation Reduction Act it expects NUPLAZID to be subject to a negotiated price taking effect in 2029.