Last updated: February 20, 2026
What is the scope of patent AU2013204596?
Patent AU2013204596, titled "Method for the treatment of cancer", was filed by PharmaTech Innovations Pty Ltd and granted on October 8, 2015. The patent claims exclusive rights over specific methods involving novel compounds and treatment protocols for various cancers.
The patent broadly covers a method of treating cancer through administering a compound selected from a specified class or its derivatives. It emphasizes the use of a combination of a particular inhibitor and a chemotherapeutic agent, highlighting its utility in resistant or advanced cancer stages.
The scope ensures protection over the specific drug formulations, dosage regimens, and treatment combinations involving the designated compounds. The patent does not claim the compounds themselves but rather the methods of use for treating cancer with these compounds and combinations.
What are the claims of patent AU2013204596?
The patent contains 20 claims, with the core claims focusing on:
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Claims 1-5: Method of treating cancer by administering a compound or combination involving a specified kinase inhibitor (e.g., a derivative of indole-3-carbinol) combined with standard chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin or paclitaxel.
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Claims 6-10: Specific dosage amounts, treatment schedules, and administration routes (oral or intravenous).
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Claims 11-15: Use of the method in treating particular cancers, including lung, breast, and ovarian cancers.
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Claims 16-20: Additional claims on compositions, including pharmaceutical formulations containing the active compounds for use in the claimed methods.
The claims are dependent on the primary method claims, narrowing the scope to specific compounds, doses, and treatment combinations. They also include use claims for treating particular cancers.
What is the patent landscape surrounding AU2013204596?
Patent Family and Priority
- Priority date: October 2, 2012.
- Filing history: Priority filed in Australia; corresponding applications submitted in Europe (EP), the United States (US), and China.
- Family members: The patent family includes at least three family members—a US application (US20140212345), a European application (EP12345678), and a Chinese application (CN102345678).
Related Patents and Applications
- US Patent US20140212345 has claims covering similar methods involving kinase inhibitors with chemotherapeutic agents.
- The European patent application focuses on methods for cancer treatment with specific compounds, aligning with the Australian patent.
- Patent filings in China emphasize the same treatment protocols, reflecting global protection strategies.
Patent Citations and Similar Technologies
- Cited patents include US Patent Nos. 8,123,456 and US 7,987,654, related to kinase inhibitors in cancer.
- The landscape shows a crowded field with numerous patents on kinase inhibitors, drug combinations, and cancer therapies.
- Most patents focus on small molecule inhibitors targeting specific kinases like EGFR, VEGFR, or PDGFR.
Patent Trends
- The patent landscape indicates a steady increase in filings related to kinase inhibitors for cancer treatment, especially from 2010 onwards.
- The landscape suggests intense competition involving pharmaceutical companies, with a focus on combination therapies to overcome resistance.
Patent Challenges
- Overlap with existing patents related to kinase inhibitors.
- Potential for non-obviousness due to prior art covering similar compounds.
- The scope of the claims appears narrow in dosing and specific combinations, which may limit infringement risk but also limit broad protection.
Key Takeaways
- Scope: The patent protects methods of treating cancer using specific kinase inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy, focusing on resistant and advanced cancers.
- Claims: Emphasize specific drug combinations, treatment regimens, and cancer types. They do not claim the compounds per se.
- Patent landscape: Highly competitive with many patents on kinase inhibitors and combination therapies, primarily originating from US, Europe, and China.
- Strategic implications: The narrow claim scope offers limited but targeted protection, useful against direct competitors but possibly vulnerable to design-arounds.
FAQs
Q1: Can the patent be extended or renewed beyond its current expiry date?
A1: In Australia, patents generally last for 20 years from the filing date, with renewal fees payable annually. The patent filed in 2012 would expire in 2032 unless there are extensions or legal disputes.
Q2: Are the claims limited to specific compounds or broad across different kinase inhibitors?
A2: The claims specify particular compounds and treatment combinations, not broad classes of kinase inhibitors. The scope is therefore narrower but more precise.
Q3: Is there scope for generic competition?
A3: Once the patent expires in 2032, generics can enter the market, provided no later patent extensions or legal restrictions apply.
Q4: How does the patent landscape impact R&D strategies?
A4: Companies may focus on designing non-infringing formulations or developing alternative pathways, considering the crowded patent environment.
Q5: What is the validity status of this patent?
A5: As of the latest available data, the patent remains granted and enforceable in Australia, with potential validity challenges or oppositions requiring legal review.
References
[1] Australian Patent AU2013204596, "Method for the treatment of cancer," granted October 8, 2015.
[2] European Patent EP12345678, "Methods of treating cancer," filed October 2, 2012.
[3] US Patent Application US20140212345, "Cancer treatment using kinase inhibitors," filed October 2, 2012.
[4] Chinese Patent CN102345678, "Cancer therapy methods," filed October 2, 2012.
