Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. has been granted patent protection by the FDA for its extended cycle oral contraceptive, Seasonique. The patent would run through January 30, 2024. Seasonique, which was approved by the FDA in May 2006, is a birth control pill that limits menstrual cycles to four in a year. The regimen comprises of taking active contraceptive pills daily for 84 days, followed by 7 days of a low dose of estrogen.