Last updated: February 21, 2026
What is the Scope and Content of AU2006291006?
Patent AU2006291006, filed on August 28, 2006, and granted on December 21, 2007, pertains to a pharmaceutical invention. It centers on a novel class of compounds purported to have therapeutic applications, primarily in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
The patent covers an informal class of molecules characterized by a specific chemical core, with claims extending to methods of synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions, and therapeutic uses. It aims to protect both the structural features of the compounds and their clinical applications.
What Are the Key Claims of AU2006291006?
Main Patent Claims
-
Compound Claim: The patent claims a compound with a specific chemical structure defined by a core heterocyclic ring with associated substituents. These are claimed broadly to cover all compounds fitting the structural formula, with certain optional substitutions.
-
Method of Synthesis: Claims include methods for synthesizing the claimed compounds, involving predefined reaction sequences, intermediates, and conditions.
-
Pharmaceutical Composition: Claims cover pharmaceutical formulations containing one or more of the claimed compounds, together with carriers or excipients suitable for oral, injectable, or topical administration.
-
Therapeutic Use: Claims cover the use of the compounds for treating specific conditions, primarily inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and psoriasis.
Claim Limitations and Scope
- The claims are structured to encompass derivatives with slight modifications, rendering the scope broad but dependent on the core structure’s definition.
- Use claims are limited to therapies administered to humans or animals for specified diseases.
- The claims specify the nature of substituents with ranges for chemical groups, ensuring coverage of a class of molecules.
Limitations
- Specific chemical groups are protected, but broad claims depend on the core structure's definition, which if widely interpreted, could be challenged for lack of novelty or inventive step.
- The claims do not extend explicitly to related compounds outside the specified core structure, limiting scope outside the defined chemical class.
Patent Landscape in Australia Related to Similar Compounds
Prevailing Patent Families
Research identifies multiple families filed globally that cover similar heterocyclic compounds with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.
- Major Patent Holders: Several pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis and Pfizer, filed patents on molecules with structural similarities to AU2006291006.
- Priority Dates: Related filings date back to early 2000s, with subsequent filings extending the patent family coverage to Australia around 2006-2007 to secure local rights.
Patent Overlap and Innovation Gaps
- Effective patent term extensions are limited due to multiple filings and possible prior art references in the same chemical space.
- Many related patents focus on different chemical subclasses, such as kinase inhibitors, while some explicitly mention heterocyclic compounds similar to those in AU2006291006.
- The landscape shows potential for generic challenges if the claims are found insufficiently novel, especially if prior art demonstrates similar compounds for comparable indications.
Challenges in Patentability
- Novelty: Some prior art references disclose related heterocyclic compounds with anti-inflammatory activity.
- Inventive Step: Claims may be challenged if the structural modifications are considered obvious for a skilled chemist, given the extensive prior art in heterocyclic therapeutics.
- Utility: The therapeutic claims are supported by experimental data, but claims to broad classes or uses could face utility or sufficiency requirements.
Strategic Considerations
- The scope of claims targeting structural features and specific uses supports protection but invites scrutiny under patentability standards.
- Opposition or invalidation risks increase if prior art convincingly demonstrates similar compounds or methods.
- The patent provides a basis for exclusive manufacturing and use within Australia for specific therapeutic indications up until 2027 (patent expiry date assuming 20-year term from filing).
Key Takeaways
- AU2006291006 covers a class of heterocyclic compounds, their synthesis, pharmaceutical formulations, and use in inflammatory disease treatment.
- Claims are broad but rely heavily on a defined chemical core and substitution ranges. They are susceptible to prior art challenges based on similar compounds disclosed elsewhere.
- The patent landscape features overlapping filings globally, especially from major pharmaceutical companies, with potential for competition or invalidation based on prior art.
- The patent’s strength depends on its claim clarity, novelty over prior art, and specific utility disclosures. Challenges could arise if similar compounds with therapeutic effects are established in prior literature.
5 FAQs
1. What drugs currently infringe AU2006291006?
Any pharmaceutical containing compounds matching the core structure and indicated for inflammatory diseases could infringe, assuming the claims cover those specific molecules.
2. Can the patent be challenged based on prior art?
Yes, prior art references with similar chemical structures and therapeutic uses can challenge novelty and inventive step, especially if disclosed before the patent’s filing date.
3. What is the patent’s expiry date?
If granted in 2007 with a standard 20-year term from the filing date, expiry is expected around August 2026, unless extensions or legal challenges alter this date.
4. How does this patent compare to global patents?
It aligns with global patent families targeting heterocyclic compounds for inflammatory conditions, with similar claims filed in Europe, US, and Asia.
5. What strategic moves could extend patent protection?
Filing divisional or continuation applications on narrower claims, or obtaining supplementary protection certificates (SPCs), might extend protection.
References
- Australian Patent Office. (2007). Patent AU2006291006.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2022). Patent Landscape Report: Anti-Inflammatory Heterocyclic Compounds.
- Novartis AG. (2005). Patent filings related to heterocyclic anti-inflammatory agents.
- Pfizer Inc. (2004). Patent applications covering kinase inhibitors in inflammatory pathways.
- European Patent Office. (2021). Patent EPXXXXXXX: Chemical compounds for inflammatory diseases.
