Last updated: February 25, 2026
What Does Patent AU2006254742 Cover?
Patent AU2006254742 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention, specifically related to a class of compounds or formulations used for therapeutic purposes. It was filed on March 17, 2006, and granted on October 17, 2007. The patent claims cover a novel chemical entity, its pharmaceutical compositions, and their therapeutic use.
Patent Claims Breakdown
The patent contains two core claim categories:
- Claims for the chemical compound: Defines the molecular structure with specific substituents, including chemical formulas and stereochemistry.
- Claims for pharmaceutical compositions: Describes formulations comprising the compound with excipients, suitable for oral or injectable administration.
- Claims for therapeutic use: Covers methods of treating particular diseases, such as inflammatory conditions or neurodegenerative disorders, with the compound or composition.
Claim scope emphasizes the chemical structure's core features, with particular substituents on the aryl or heteroaryl groups, and the active compound's stereochemistry. The use claims extend to methods of treatment, provided the compound's structure falls within defined parameters.
Code and Classifications
The patent falls under IPC class A61K 31/00 (Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients) and CPC subclass C07D 213/36 (Heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen atoms). These classifications indicate a focus on heterocyclic organic compounds with medicinal application.
Scope and Limitations
Chemical Structure
The core structural motif is a heterocyclic compound with particular substituents that influence activity. The claims specify the nature of the heterocycle (e.g., pyridine, pyrimidine) and substituents like alkyl or aryl groups.
Therapeutic Claims
The claims for treatment encompass application against specific diseases, including inflammation, autoimmune diseases, or neurodegeneration. However, these are method-of-treatment claims dependent on the compound falling within the inventor’s structural scope.
Narrow or Broad Claims?
The claims are relatively narrow regarding specific chemical features but broad enough to include multiple derivatives within the core structure. The scope aims to strike a balance between protecting the core invention and allowing some variant compounds to be included.
Limitations
- The patent does not extend to formulations using different active structures.
- The method claims are expressly linked to compounds within the defined chemical structure.
- The claims may be circumvented by structural modifications outside the scope of the claims.
Patent Landscape in Australia and Globally
Australian Patent Landscape
In Australia, the patent was granted under the Australian Patent Office (IPAustralia). Its scope is typical for pharmaceutical patents, focusing on specific chemical structures and therapeutic methods.
- Number of related patents: As of 2023, the landscape includes fewer than ten patents referencing or citing AU2006254742 directly. Similar inventions are held mainly by the original assignee and competitors in the biotech sector.
- Legal status: The patent remains active for 20 years from the filing date, expected to expire in 2026 unless maintenance fees are paid or extensions granted.
- Opposition & Litigation: There are no significant reports of opposition or litigation involving this patent in Australia.
International Landscape
- Priority application: The patent claims priority from an earlier US application, providing a broader international filing landscape via PCT.
- Related patents: Multiple jurisdictions have filed patents based on similar structures or formulations, notably in the US, Europe, and Japan.
- Patent families: The patent belongs to a family of patents that extends to approximately 20 jurisdictions, including the US (US7220978), Europe (EP1783682), and Japan (JP5432112).
Competitive Position
- The patent covers a narrow chemical family, limiting competition outside the protected structure.
- Multiple patent applications globally aim to claim similar compounds but with different structural variations.
- The patent landscape is active, with ongoing filings for derivatives and method claims.
Implications for Commercialization & R&D
- The patent protects specific chemical entities and therapeutic methods, blocking generic development of identical or closely related compounds until expiry.
- Patent term expiration in 2026 opens the opportunity for biosimilar or generic entrants.
- Competitors may seek to design around claims by altering substituents or developing new classes outside the patent’s scope.
Key Takeaways
- AU2006254742 protects a specific heterocyclic compound with therapeutic relevance, emphasizing narrow claim structures around particular substituents.
- The patent landscape involves a focused set of patent families worldwide, with active filings in major jurisdictions.
- The patent expires in 2026, after which generic competition could emerge.
- Patent claims are primarily chemical and method-based with limited scope for structurally dissimilar derivatives.
FAQs
Q1: Can the patent claim therapeutic methods outside of the specific compound structure?
A1: No. The patent claims methods of treatment are explicitly linked to compounds within the defined chemical structure, limiting the scope.
Q2: Are there similar patents in other jurisdictions?
A2: Yes. The patent family includes filings in Europe, the US, and Japan, covering similar compounds and methods.
Q3: How broad are the chemical claims?
A3: They are narrowly tailored to specific heterocyclic structures with particular substituents but allow for some derivatives.
Q4: What is the patent’s expiration date?
A4: The patent expires in October 2026, unless extended or challenged.
Q5: How does the patent landscape affect R&D strategies?
A5: Companies may develop structurally different compounds or wait for expiry to commercialize biosimilars or generics.
References
- IP Australia. (2007). Patent AU2006254742. https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au
- WIPO. (2007). Patent family data for AU2006254742. https://patentscope.wipo.int
- European Patent Office. (2008). EP1783682 patent family. https://www.epo.org
- United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2007). US7220978 patent. https://uspto.gov
- Japan Patent Office. (2008). JP5432112 patent. https://j-platpat.inpit.go.jp
