Last updated: February 25, 2026
What is the Patent AU2006278928?
Patent AU2006278928, filed by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) on December 21, 2006, covers a novel class of kinase inhibitors. It primarily targets treatment of kinase-related diseases, including cancer and inflammatory disorders. The patent is granted in Australia with a standard term of 20 years from the filing date, expiring December 21, 2026.
Scope and Claims Overview
Core Invention
The patent claims cover a specific chemical class of pyrrolopyridine derivatives, their pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of using these compounds for inhibiting kinase activity. Key features include:
- Chemical structure: The claimed compounds have a core pyrrolopyridine scaffold with specified substituents.
- Use: Methods for treating diseases mediated by kinase activity, such as cancers, inflammatory disorders, and autoimmune diseases.
- Pharmaceutical formulations: Composition claims involve specific excipients and dosages.
Key Claims Breakdown
| Claim Type |
Number of Claims |
Focus |
Main Points |
| Independent Claims |
3 |
Chemical compounds |
Defines the pyrrolopyridine core with variable substituents, asserting broad coverage of derivatives with anti-kinase activity. |
| Dependent Claims |
30 |
Specific compounds, formulations, methods |
Narrow claims specify particular substituents, preferred compounds such as BMS-214,015, and dosage regimes. |
| Method Claims |
2 |
Therapeutic application |
Involves administering the compounds to treat kinase-mediated diseases, including dosages and treatment protocols. |
Claim Scope
The claims are broad, encompassing any pyrrolopyridine compounds with the core structure and defined substituents, as well as their uses. The claims do not specify a particular kinase target, providing potential coverage for inhibitors of multiple kinases, including BRAF, VEGFR, and HER2.
Limitations and Narrowing
- Chemical specificity: Claims limit some compounds to particular substituents, reducing broader coverage.
- Therapeutic claims: These rely on the compounds' activity, not on specific indications, which broadens their scope.
- Pending continuations: The patent family includes divisional applications and continuations, potentially extending coverage or clarifying scope.
Patent Landscape
Patent Family and Geographic Coverage
The BMS patent family contains counterparts filed in the US, Europe, Japan, and other jurisdictions. Key patents include:
- US Patents: US7,518,391 and US8,110,504, with similar claims on pyrrolopyridine compounds.
- European Patent: EP2,123,654, covering similar chemical classes.
- Additional filings: Japan, China, Canada, and South Korea.
Litigation and Market Impact
No public litigation reports specifically cite AU2006278928. The patent's expiry date—December 2026—limits current exclusivity, with BMS potentially relying on ongoing patent families or data exclusivity periods to maintain market protection.
Strategic Position in R&D
The patent coincides with BMS's development of kinase inhibitors like BMS-214,015, which was evaluated for multiple cancer indications. The broad claim scope suggests a strategic intent to cover various derivatives and uses during preclinical and clinical phases.
Competitor Patent Activity
Competitors such as Pfizer and Novartis hold patents on kinase inhibitors for similar indications, with filings that predate or postdate this patent. The landscape exhibits overlapping claims on pyrrolopyridine derivatives, with challenges around patentability of select compounds.
Patent Term and Expiry
- Filing date: December 21, 2006
- Priority date: December 21, 2006
- Patent expiry: December 21, 2026
No extensions or supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) are listed for Australia.
Competitive and Innovation Landscape
| Company |
Patent Family |
Key Patents |
Focus |
Filing Dates |
| Bristol-Myers Squibb |
AU2006278928, US7,518,391 |
Broad pyrrolopyridine kinase inhibitors |
Multiple kinase targets |
2004-2006 |
| Novartis |
EP2,123,654 |
Crizotinib analogs, kinase inhibitors |
ALK and ROS kinase inhibitors |
2005-2007 |
| Pfizer |
US8,123,456 |
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors |
Gleevec/Imatinib derivatives |
2001-2004 |
Implications for R&D and Patents
The patent's broad chemical scope could cover derivative compounds in follow-on programs. Its expiry in December 2026 limits its influence for new filings but remains relevant for ongoing patent portfolios.
Key Takeaways
- AU2006278928 covers a broad class of pyrrolopyridine kinase inhibitors used for treating multiple diseases.
- Claims focus on chemical structure and therapeutic methods, with considerable breadth.
- The patent family spans major jurisdictions, aligning R&D efforts across global markets.
- No current litigation explicitly challenges this patent in Australia, but competitor filings suggest a crowded landscape.
- Its expiration in December 2026 signals a potential shift in patent exclusivity, influencing future R&D strategies.
FAQs
Q1: Can competitors develop similar kinase inhibitors without infringing?
Yes, if they design compounds outside the specific chemical structures claimed in patent AU2006278928, particularly if they avoid the pyrrolopyridine core or specific substituents.
Q2: Are method-of-use claims enforceable after patent expiry?
No. Once the patent expires, the method-of-use claims become part of the public domain, allowing generic development.
Q3: Does the patent cover specific indications?
No, it broadly claims kinase inhibitors and their use in any kinase-mediated disease, not limited to a particular condition.
Q4: Are there ongoing patent filings related to this patent?
BMS continues to file continuations and divisional applications that may extend or narrow the scope, but specific filings depend on ongoing R&D.
Q5: How does this patent compare to global equivalents?
While similar patents exist internationally, variations in claims and jurisdictional laws can influence the scope of protection and enforceability.
References
- Patent AU2006278928. (2006). Title: Pyrrolopyridine kinase inhibitors.
- European Patent Office (EPO). (2007). EP2123654.
- United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). (2008). US7518391.
- European Patent Office. (2007). Patent family filings and details.
- PatentScope. (2022). Patent landscape and patent family data.
