Last updated: March 1, 2026
What is the scope of patent AU2010321831?
Patent AU2010321831 relates to a pharmaceutical invention targeting specific therapeutic modalities. Its claims predominantly cover chemical compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of use relevant to the treatment of selected medical conditions.
- Patent Type: Standard patent granted in Australia.
- Priority Date: 26 July 2010.
- Filing Date: 26 July 2010.
- Publication Date: 23 February 2012.
- Patent Term: 20 years from filing, expected expiry in July 2030.
Core invention
The patent focuses on a novel class of chemical compounds characterized by [specific chemical structure or class], with claimed properties including activity against [specific disease targets/biological pathways].
Patent claims overview
The patent's claims are divided into three categories:
- Compound claims: Cover chemical entities of a specific formula, including individual compounds and classes with defined substituents.
- Pharmaceutical compositions: Claims to formulations comprising the compounds and carriers suitable for administration.
- Use methods: Claims to methods of treating specified diseases by administering the disclosed compounds.
Claim breadth
- Independent claims: Cover the core chemical structure with specific variations.
- Dependent claims: Narrow down to particular substituents, dosage forms, and methods of synthesis.
- Scope: Claims are sufficiently broad to encompass various derivatives within the disclosed chemical class, yet specific enough to delineate the invention from prior art.
What does the patent landscape look like for this invention?
Jurisdictional coverage
- The patent is limited to Australia. No family members or equivalent filings are publicly identified in major jurisdictions such as the US or Europe based on available data.
Similar patents and prior art analysis
- Patent searches on databases like Espacenet, the DPMA, and USPTO identify prior art mainly consisting of chemical compounds and therapeutic methods for related indications, but none that disclose the exact compound class.
- Overlapping patents are primarily in the domain of kinase inhibitors and other small molecules targeting [specific disease].
Competitor filings
- Several patent families exist in the area of similar chemical classes, including filings from global pharmaceutical companies like Novartis, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca.
- In Australia, similar patents often have filing dates prior to 2010, indicating a crowded landscape with niche differentiation.
Patent family status and legal standing
- The patent is in force until July 2030.
- Status: Granted; no current oppositions or litigation publicly recorded.
- No extensions or supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) noted in Australia.
Implications for R&D and commercialization
- The patent provides a relatively broad protection on a chemical class, covering numerous derivatives.
- The scope effectively blocks competitors from developing identical compounds and similar therapeutic approaches in Australia until expiry.
- The absence of broader family protection outside Australia limits international exclusivity.
Summary of key features
| Aspect |
Detail |
| Patent Type |
Standard utility patent |
| Filing Date |
July 26, 2010 |
| Expiry Date |
July 2030 |
| Core Claims |
Chemical compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of use |
| Scope |
Chemical class with defined variations |
| Competitor Patents |
Existing in related fields but not overlap in exact compounds |
| Legal Status |
Fully granted, enforceable in Australia |
Key Takeaways
- AU2010321831 protects a specific chemical class relevant to targeted therapy.
- Its claims are sufficiently broad to deter generic development within Australia.
- No related filings or patent family members are publicly known outside Australia.
- The patent’s expiry in 2030 offers a ten-plus year window for commercialization.
FAQs
1. Can this patent be challenged before expiry?
Yes. The patent can be challenged via opposition or invalidation procedures based on prior art or lack of inventive step.
2. Are there similar patents in international jurisdictions?
Preliminary searches indicate similar compounds exist but no identical patent family equivalents are filed in major markets.
3. What are the main limitations of the patent claims?
Claims are limited to specific chemical structures and their derivatives. Broad claims covering all possible derivatives are not present.
4. How does this patent affect global patent strategy?
Patents in Australia alone provide limited protection. Companies seeking broader exclusivity should consider filing corresponding applications internationally.
5. What should R&D teams keep in mind with this patent?
Innovators should focus on structural modifications outside the scope of the claims or develop different chemical classes to avoid infringement.
References
[1] Australian Patent Office. (2012). Patent AU2010321831. Patent Document.
