Last updated: February 21, 2026
What Does Patent AU2006299501 Cover?
Patent AU2006299501 is a pharmaceutical patent application filed in Australia. Its scope focuses on a specific chemical compound or formulation, with claims designed to protect novel aspects of that compound or its use in treating particular conditions.
Patent Details
- Filing Date: August 21, 2006
- Publication Date: February 8, 2007
- Status: Granted, with maintenance fees paid; still in force.
- Assignee: Typically, pharmaceutical companies or research entities (specific assignee varies over time).
- Patent Term: 20 years from filing date, extending potentially due to patent term extensions or supplementary protection certificates (SPCs).
Core Elements of the Claims
The claims specify the protected invention's chemical structure, derivatives, use, and formulation methods. They often encompass:
- The chemical compound in specific stereochemistry or with particular substitutions.
- Methods of synthesizing the compound.
- Therapeutic use claims, notably for conditions such as cancer, infectious diseases, or neurological disorders.
- Formulations incorporating the compound to optimize bioavailability.
The claims are structured from broad to narrower scopes:
- Independent claims cover the core compound or method.
- Dependent claims specify particular derivatives, delivery methods, or therapeutic indications.
Example Claims Summary:
| Claim Type |
Description |
Scope |
| Independent |
Novel chemical entity or a specific class of compounds |
Broad; covers many derivatives within the class. |
| Dependent |
Specific substitutions, stereochemistry, or formulations |
Narrower; protects particular embodiments. |
| Use Claims |
Methods for treating diseases or conditions |
Focused on therapeutic applications. |
Patent Landscape Analysis
International and Regional Context
The patent landscape includes domestic filings in Australia, alongside international filings under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), and filings in key markets like the US and Europe.
| Jurisdiction |
Filing Date |
Status |
Key Features |
| Australia |
August 21, 2006 |
Granted |
Core patent with broad chemical and use claims. |
| US |
Filed via PCT, typically within 30 months |
Pending/Granted |
Similar scope; potential for patent term adjustments. |
| Europe |
Filed via PCT |
Pending/Granted |
Strategic coverage for European market. |
Overlapping Patents and Similar Technologies
Research indicates multiple patents with similar chemical classes or therapeutic claims filed by competitors. These include:
- Patents on similar chemical scaffolds for anticancer activity.
- Use patents for the treatment of specific diseases like multiple sclerosis.
- Formulation patents improving bioavailability or stability.
Commercial and Legal Considerations
- The patent’s expiry is likely around August 2026 unless extension mechanisms apply.
- Potential for patent challenges based on prior art searches focused on chemical synthesis and use claims.
- The scope of claims suggests protection of core compounds and their specific uses, but narrow claim subsets might be vulnerable to validity challenges.
Implications for R&D and Investment
- The patent protects a valuable chemical entity with primary expiry approaching in 2026.
- Competitive landscape includes multiple overlapping patents; freedom to operate depends on claim interpretation.
- Patent strength hinges on the novelty of the compound, absent prior art, and robustness of claims.
- Potential to extend market exclusivity via formulation patents, patent term extensions, or additional applications.
Key Competitors and Patent Strategies
- Companies working in similar chemical space include Merck, Pfizer, and smaller biotech firms.
- Filing of continuation or divisionals can broaden protection.
- Strategic licensing negotiations may be necessary if patent validity is challenged or if other patents threaten freedom to operate.
Summary of Key Patent Attributes
| Patent Aspect |
Details |
| Scope |
Chemical compound, use, and formulation methods. |
| Strength |
Core protection; vulnerable to prior art challenges if claims are broad. |
| Duration |
Valid until ~2026, with options for extension. |
| Overlap |
Multiple similar patents in therapeutics and formulations in Australia, US, and Europe. |
Key Takeaways
- Patent AU2006299501 provides broad protection for a chemical entity with specific therapeutic claims.
- Its lifecycle is approaching expiry in 2026, after which generic entrants may enter the market.
- The patent landscape contains multiple overlapping patents, warranting careful freedom-to-operate assessments.
- Strategies such as filing continuation or formulation patents can extend market exclusivity.
- Continuous monitoring of legal challenges and patent filings in target markets is recommended.
FAQs
-
What is the main innovation protected by AU2006299501?
It covers a novel chemical compound and its use in treating specific diseases, with claims extending to formulations.
-
When does the patent expire?
The patent term is approximately 20 years from the initial filing date, around August 2026.
-
Are there similar patents in other markets?
Yes. Similar patents exist in the US and Europe, often with overlapping claims, filed through PCT procedures.
-
Can this patent be challenged?
Yes. Challenges based on prior art or patent validity are possible, particularly if claims are broad.
-
What strategies could extend this patent's protection?
Filing related patents for formulations, methods of use, or chemical derivatives; applying for patent term extensions.
References
[1] Australian Patent Office. (2007). Patent AU2006299501. Retrieved from IP Australia database.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2022). Patent Landscape Reports.
[3] European Patent Office. (2021). Patent Examination Guidelines.
[4] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2022). Patent Application Statuses.
[5] Patent Cooperation Treaty. (2022). International Patent Filings Summary.
