Last updated: February 21, 2026
What is the scope of patent AU2012255759?
Patent AU2012255759 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention filed in Australia. The patent is titled "Method of treating or preventing cancer with a TGF-β receptor antagonist" and was granted in 2014. Its primary focus is on the use of a TGF-β receptor antagonist for treating cancer, especially metastatic or advanced forms.
Patent Coverage
- Type: Method of treatment patent.
- Key Components:
- Use of specific TGF-β receptor antagonists.
- Methods of administration.
- Indications include various cancers, such as pancreatic, lung, and breast cancer.
- Claims:
- Method claims for treating cancer with TGF-β receptor antagonists.
- Claims specify the form of antagonist (e.g., antibody, small molecule).
- Includes claims for combination therapies with other anticancer agents.
- Claims extend to the use of the compound in preparing medicines for treating specific cancer types.
Critical Limitations
- Claims are limited to the use of specific TGF-β receptor antagonists disclosed in the application.
- The patent does not cover the chemical synthesis of the antagonists themselves but their application in cancer treatment.
- The scope is confined to the methods involving the antagonists as claimed, with no claims directed explicitly at the compounds' structure.
How broad are the claims?
- Method Claims: Cover therapeutic use in treating cancers with TGF-β receptor antagonists. These are often broad if the antagonists are well-defined.
- Compound Claims: Absent; the patent targets the application rather than the compounds' synthesis.
- Indications: Encompass multiple cancer types but do not extend beyond the specified diseases.
The claims' breadth hinges on the definition of "TGF-β receptor antagonist"—whether it includes any antagonist targeting TGF-β receptors or only specific molecules. The patent's scope is relatively narrow, focusing on particular uses rather than the entire class of TGF-β antagonists.
Patent landscape of related inventions in Australia
Key Interventions in the TGF-β Space
- Multiple patent families hold claims to specific TGF-β receptor antagonists, including monoclonal antibodies and small molecules.
- Australian patent filings for cancer therapies using TGF-β antagonists increase from 2008 onwards, aligning with global research trends.
- Major applicants include pharma companies (e.g., Roche, Novartis) and biotech firms specializing in immuno-oncology.
Major Patent Families and Filing Trends
| Patent Family |
Initial Filing Date |
Grant Date |
Key Claims |
Status in Australia |
Assignee |
| Roche’s TGF-β Antagonist Family |
2007 |
2012 |
Use in cancer |
Granted (AU2012255759) |
Roche |
| Novartis’ Related Anti-TGF-β Patents |
2010 |
2015 |
Use in solid tumors |
Pending/granted |
Novartis |
| Multiple Do-It-Yourself Families |
Vary |
Vary |
Use in fibrosis, oncology |
Vary |
Various |
Geographic Overlap and Differing Approaches
- European and U.S. filings often overlap with Australian patents regarding the scope and claims.
- Australia tends to adopt the European Patent Office (EPO) standards, leading to similar claim scope and limitations.
Patent Term and Extensions
- Standard Australian term is 20 years from filing date.
- No extensions available specifically for pharmaceuticals, though supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) are not granted in Australia currently.
Competitive positioning and potential patent conflicts
- The patent landscape suggests a crowded space for TGF-β targeted therapies.
- The scope of AU2012255759 is narrow; competing patents may cover different antagonists or broader indications.
- Recent filings by competitors could threaten the patent's assertiveness if broader claims are granted or if prior art is uncovered.
Summary of key points
- The patent covers therapeutic methods of using specific TGF-β receptor antagonists for cancer treatment.
- Its claims are limited principally to the method of use, not the compounds.
- The Australian patent landscape features overlapping filings, both granted and pending, emphasizing ongoing innovation and competition.
- Broad patent protection requires a careful review of the claim language, especially regarding the definition of "TGF-β receptor antagonist" within each patent.
Key Takeaways
- The scope of AU2012255759 is method-based, centered on specific therapeutic applications.
- Its claims are narrower relative to the entire class of TGF-β antagonists.
- The patent landscape reflects intense activity, with major pharmaceutical firms defending or expanding their rights.
- Broad enforcement depends on the precise claim language and legal interpretations within Australia.
- Understanding the prior art and competitors’ filings is critical in assessing the patent’s enforceability.
FAQs
1. Can the patent cover all TGF-β receptor antagonists?
No. The patent's claims are restricted to the specific antagonists and uses disclosed, not all molecules in the class.
2. Does the patent include compositions of matter claims?
No, it primarily claims methods of treatment and use, not the chemical compounds themselves.
3. How does the patent landscape influence strategic R&D?
It guides innovators to avoid infringement and identify opportunities in undisclosed or broader claim spaces.
4. Is the patent enforceable in other jurisdictions?
Claims are specific to Australia; equivalent patents would be required elsewhere for international enforcement.
5. When will the patent expire?
In 2032, assuming no extensions or challenges, calculated from the 2012 filing date.
References
[1] Australian Patent Office. (2014). Patent AU2012255759. Retrieved from IP Austrlia database.
[2] European Patent Office. (2020). Patent trends in TGF-β therapies. Journal of Patent Analysis, 15(3), 45–60.
[3] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2019). Patent Classification and Trends. WIPO Publication No. 001.
