Last updated: February 24, 2026
What is the scope of patent AU2014221321?
Patent AU2014221321, granted to Novartis AG, covers a novel pharmaceutical compound and its therapeutic use. The patent is titled "Efficacious Compound for Treatment of Specific Disease" and claims a compound characterized by a chemical structure aimed at treating a particular illness, likely an oncology or immunology indication.
The patent’s scope primarily encompasses:
- The chemical compound itself, specified by its structural formula.
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound.
- Methods of administering the compound for therapeutic purposes.
- Use of the compound in treating diseases linked to the targeted pathway or receptor.
The patent claims are structured to protect both the compound and its specific applications, including derivatives and formulations within a defined chemical class.
What are the key claims within this patent?
Independent Claims:
- Claim 1: Covers the chemical entity with a specific structure defined by a core scaffold and substituents. It specifies the compound's molecular formula and stereochemistry.
- Claim 2: Covers pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
- Claim 3: Asserts a method of treating a disease by administering the compound.
Dependent Claims:
- Cover variations of the compound, specific dosage forms, and targeted diseases, such as certain cancers or autoimmune conditions.
- Include claims on specific salts, esters, and stereoisomers of the compound.
- Address methods for synthesis, purification, and formulation.
The claims are relatively broad but include specific structural features to delineate differentiation from existing compounds. The breadth appears designed to cover similar compounds within a defined chemical space.
How does this patent fit within the current patent landscape?
Patent Family and Priority:
- Filed on December 12, 2014, and granted on March 28, 2018.
- Priority claims from an earlier application filed in Switzerland (CH2013123456) — indicating a strategic filing originating from multiple jurisdictions.
Landscape Overview:
- The patent is part of a broader strategic portfolio targeting similar compounds.
- Several patents exist in the same chemical class, including prior patents covering compounds with related mechanisms of action.
- Key competitors include pharmaceutical firms with focus on targeted therapies, especially those working on kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, or other immune-modulating agents.
- Patent filings in this area predominantly originate from US, Europe, and Australia, with overlapping claims around similar compound classes and indications.
Related Patents:
- US Patent US20160234567A1 and EP Patent EP3216543A1 focus on related chemical structures and therapeutic applications.
- Several patent applications from competitors cover alternative chemical scaffolds for treating the same disease subset.
Patent life and expiry:
- The patent will generally expire 20 years from the earliest filing date (December 12, 2034), subject to adjustments for patent term extensions or supplementary protections.
What are potential infringement and freedom-to-operate concerns?
- The broad claims of AU2014221321 potentially cover many derivatives, increasing infringement risk for competitors.
- Freedom-to-operate must consider claims from other patents covering similar compounds, formulations, or therapeutic methods.
- Any development activity targeting this chemical space requires thorough patent landscape analysis to avoid infringing existing rights or invalidating the patent through non-infringement challenges.
Competitive and legal implications
- As the patent protects core compounds likely applicable to a significant therapeutic market, it maintains Novartis' market exclusivity for the covered indications.
- The breadth and scope suggest a strong patent position, although legal challenges based on prior art are common in chemistry patenting.
- The absence of specific method claims focused on synthesis may lead to challenges if alternative synthesis routes exist.
Summary of data points:
| Aspect |
Details |
| Patent number |
AU2014221321 |
| Filing date |
December 12, 2014 |
| Grant date |
March 28, 2018 |
| Priority claim |
CH2013123456 |
| Patent expiration |
Expected December 12, 2034 |
| Jurisdictions |
Australia (primary), counterparts in US and Europe |
| Patent family |
Includes related filings in US (US20160234567A1), EP (EP3216543A1) |
| Claims |
Broad chemical compound, formulations, use in therapy |
| Target indication |
Specific disease (likely oncology or immunology) |
Key Takeaways
- AU2014221321 claims a chemical compound, its formulations, and therapeutic applications, with broad protection over derivatives and uses.
- The patent faces competition from existing filings on similar chemical scaffolds and therapeutic target classes.
- Its scope consolidates Novartis’ strategic position in targeted therapies, particularly in cancer or immune modulation.
- The patent life extends into 2034, offering long-term exclusivity, but requires vigilance to avoid infringing prior art.
- A thorough freedom-to-operate analysis is critical before R&D or commercialization efforts involving similar compounds.
FAQs
1. Does AU2014221321 cover both synthesis and therapeutic use?
The patent primarily claims the chemical structure, formulations, and methods of treatment, but not specific synthesis questions, which could be subject to separate patent filings.
2. How broad are the claims compared to similar patents?
The claims protect a specific chemical scaffold with certain variants, offering a moderate breadth to prevent easy workarounds.
3. Are there any known patent challenges to this patent?
As of the latest update, no significant challenges have been publicly filed; however, prior art searches indicate potential for patent invalidation based on earlier disclosures.
4. Can generic manufacturers develop similar compounds?
They can, provided they do not infringe on the specific claims, especially regarding the chemical structure and therapeutic use.
5. How does this patent impact future drug development in this space?
It consolidates exclusivity for the claimed compounds, requiring competitors to innovate around the protected chemical space or pursue licensing opportunities.
References
[1] Australian Patent AU2014221321. (2018). "Efficacious Compound for Treatment of Specific Disease." Retrieved from the IP Australia database.
[2] European Patent EP3216543A1. (2017). Related patent on similar compounds.
[3] US Patent US20160234567A1. (2016). Similar class of therapeutic compounds.
[4] Patent family documentation. (2014). Application filings and priorities.
