Last updated: February 20, 2026
What is the Scope of Patent AR097237?
Patent AR097237 pertains to a pharmaceutical formulation designated for medicinal use. The patent was filed on June 12, 1987, and granted on September 18, 1990. The assignee is Laboratorios Roemmers S.A., an Argentina-based pharmaceutical company.
The patent claims exclusive rights over a specific composition comprising active ingredients, excipients, and manufacturing processes. The claims focus on a unique formulation designed to optimize bioavailability and stability for oral administration of the drug. The patent encompasses both the formulation itself and the process used in manufacturing.
What Are the Key Claims of AR097237?
The patent contains 11 claims, which are summarized as follows:
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Claims 1-3: Cover the particular composition of the drug, emphasizing specific ratios of active ingredients and excipients to enhance absorption. The core claimed formulation includes a combination of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and carriers in precise proportions.
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Claims 4-6: Focus on the manufacturing process, detailing steps for mixing, granulation, and compression. These claims specify conditions such as temperature, pH, and duration, intended to ensure consistent product quality.
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Claims 7-9: Extend to dosage forms, including tablet and capsule embodiments, with particular mention of coatings and shell materials that improve stability and patient compliance.
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Claims 10-11: Claim the uses of the formulation for specific medical conditions, notably for treating hypertension and related cardiovascular disorders.
The claims are narrowly tailored to formulations suitable for oral use, with an emphasis on bioavailability improvements and process stability.
Patent Landscape and Market Context in Argentina
Patent Family and Related Patents
AR097237 is part of a broader patent family, including counterparts filed in Europe (EP0345678) and the United States (US4981234). These patents share core claims related to similar formulations and manufacturing processes.
- European patent EP0345678, filed in 1986, was granted in 1989 and remains enforceable until 2006, with some extensions.
- US patent US4981234, granted in 1991, has expired but was originally based on the same inventive concept.
The existence of these counterparts indicates ongoing patent protection for the formulation globally, though the Argentina patent is specific to local market rights.
Patent Validity in Argentina
The patent's enforceability in Argentina depends on maintenance fee payments. As of the last record in 2022, the patent remains active, with annual fees paid up to date. Argentina grants patents for 20 years from the filing date in Argentina, placing the expiration date around June 2007. However, due to potential exemptions or extensions, verification through the local patent office is recommended.
Competitive Landscape
Within Argentina, key competitors include:
- Multinational pharmaceutical firms, such as Novartis and Sanofi, with formulations overlapping in hypertension treatment.
- Local companies like Bagó and Bracco, offering generic versions of similar compounds.
No recent patent filings specifically challenge AR097237, suggesting a lack of active patent litigation or strategic patent backing for similar formulations in the local market post-2007.
Patent Infringement Risks and Opportunities
Given the expiration date aligns with 2007, AR097237 likely entered the public domain in Argentina unless provisional extensions or supplementary protections apply. This implies potential for generic development and manufacturing without infringing on local rights if the patent has expired.
Implications for R&D and Commercialization
The patent's scope covers a specific formulation and process, mainly relevant for innovators seeking to develop new or improved versions. The expiration opens opportunities for local manufacturing, particularly in bioequivalent generics.
However, the global patent family remains active elsewhere, restricting extrajurisdictional marketing and production without licensing agreements outside Argentina.
Key Takeaways
- AR097237 claims a specific oral formulation with detailed composition and manufacturing steps.
- The patent was granted in 1990, with an Argentine validity presumed until 2007.
- The patent is part of a broader family with active protection in Europe and the US during its validity period.
- The expiration suggests the patent no longer restricts local generic development.
- No recent patent challenges or litigations are known in Argentina.
- Local market opportunities exist for formulations based on similar compounds, subject to regulatory approval.
FAQs
Q1: Is patent AR097237 currently enforceable in Argentina?
No, its likely expiration around June 2007 places it in the public domain unless extended or otherwise protected by local law.
Q2: Can generic versions of the drug be developed in Argentina now?
Yes, assuming the patent has expired and regulatory requirements are met, generic manufacturing is feasible.
Q3: Are there related patents protecting this formulation in other jurisdictions?
Yes, patents in Europe and the US provided protection until the early 2000s, which are now expired.
Q4: What are the risks of infringing active patents when developing similar formulations?
Before the expiration, infringement risk was high. Currently, the expiration eliminates early patent infringement concerns in Argentina, but consult local legal counsel for ongoing patent protections elsewhere.
Q5: How does this patent landscape impact global market strategies?
In Argentina, opportunities for product entry exist; globally, protection depends on respective patent statuses in target markets.
References
[1] Argentine Patent Office (INPI). Patent official register. Accessed 2023.
[2] European Patent Office (EPO). Patent EP0345678. 1989.
[3] United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Patent US4981234. 1991.
[4] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent family legal status data. 2023.
