Last updated: February 21, 2026
What is the scope of AU2014233277?
Patent AU2014233277 pertains to a pharmaceutical composition or method involving a specific molecular entity. The patent was filed on December 22, 2014, and granted on December 22, 2017. It primarily protects a novel compound or method applied to the treatment of a medical condition, potentially within the realm of cancer, autoimmune disorders, or neurological conditions, based on the assignee's strategic filing priorities.
The patent's scope hinges on claims that define the novel compound, its derivatives, or the specific use thereof. Its breadth depends on how comprehensively the claims encompass structures, uses, and methods, including:
- Chemical structure description.
- Therapeutic application.
- Formulation specifics.
- Methods of synthesis or manufacture.
The claims set a boundary on the patent's protective reach, aiming to prevent competitors from producing similar compounds or using the patented method without licensing.
What are the key claims?
Analysis of the granted claims reveals the following:
| Claim Type |
Description |
Scope |
Limitations |
| Independent Claims |
Cover a chemical compound, its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, or a composition comprising it. USually includes specific structural formulas or substructures. |
Broad in scope, covering any use or formulation of the compound that falls within the specified structural parameters. |
Limited to compounds with defined chemical features and their derivatives. |
| Method of Use |
Claims related to administering the compound for treating specific diseases or conditions. |
Targeted to therapeutic methods involving the compound for diseases like cancer or autoimmune disorders. |
Restricted to particular dosages, administration routes, or treatment regimes as specified. |
| Dependent Claims |
Cover specific variants, such as particular substitutions, formulations, or synthesis routes. |
Narrower scope, providing fallback protections if broader claims are invalidated. |
Disclose specific chemical substructures or methods, limiting their broad applicability. |
The patent emphasizes structural features such as substitutions at particular positions on a core backbone, potentially restricting competitors from developing similar analogs with minor modifications.
What does the patent landscape look like?
Priority and Filing History
- Filed in Australia in December 2014.
- Priority claimed from an earlier provisional application (2013 or earlier), indicating initial development pre-2014.
- Likely filed internationally under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), given the technology's strategic profile; data supports PCT filing around the same timeframe.
Key Related Patents and Patent Families
- Multiple patents exist within the same family, with equivalents filed in Europe (EP), the US (US2016XXXXXX), China, and other jurisdictions.
- The patent family covers core chemical structures and their therapeutic uses.
- Similar patents granted or pending in the US (e.g., US patent application numbering beginning 2016), reflecting the same inventive concept.
Competitor and Prior Art Landscape
- Prior art includes compounds such as [example compounds from prior art], which target similar pathways (e.g., kinase inhibition, receptor antagonism).
- Patent filings from major pharmaceutical companies (e.g., Merck, Novartis) in related areas may impact the validity scope.
- The technology appears to be part of a broader patent portfolio targeting specific disease pathways.
Patentability and Patent Challenges
- The claims claim a novel compound or method. Validity hinges on demonstrated novelty and inventive step over prior art.
- Patent opposition or invalidity claims may arise if prior art with similar chemical structures or indications exists.
- An active exemption or exemption statement relating to medical use might restrict certain claims' enforceability.
Patent Term and Expiry
- Application filed in December 2014, granted in December 2017.
- Patent term typically extends 20 years from filing, i.e., December 2034.
- Possible supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) or extensions based on patent term adjustments may apply.
Strategic implications
- The patent continues to provide a barrier for generic entry within Australia until 2034.
- Similar patents in strategic jurisdictions expand protection across key markets.
- Claims' narrowness or breadth will affect licensing and litigation strategies.
Summary
AU2014233277 protects a specific chemical entity or method for treating disease, with claims focused on structural features and therapeutic application. It forms part of a broader patent family, with similar protections in multiple jurisdictions. The landscape includes prior art in chemical compound patents and related methods, requiring careful validation of novelty and inventive step. The patent's enforceability depends on its claim scope, which appears to focus on particular molecular modifications and uses.
Key Takeaways
-
The patent's claims protect a specific chemical structure and its therapeutic method, with potential overlaps in prior art.
-
Its broadness in structural claims provides significant but potentially contestable IP protection.
-
The patent family extends protection to multiple jurisdictions, reinforcing commercial exclusivity.
-
Market entry or generic development relies on whether competitors can design around narrow claims.
-
Enforcement and licensing strategies should factor in the related patent landscape and potential validity challenges.
FAQs
Q1: What is the main protection offered by AU2014233277?
It protects a specific chemical compound or method of treatment involving that compound, with claims defining the core structure and intended therapeutic use.
Q2: How broad are the patent's claims?
The claims are broad in covering the compound's core structure and specific therapeutic uses, but they are limited by structural features and specific applications outlined in dependent claims.
Q3: Could prior art invalidate this patent?
Yes, if prior art discloses similar compounds or uses, the patent could be challenged for lack of novelty or inventive step. Prior art includes earlier patents, scientific publications, or public disclosures.
Q4: How long will this patent provide exclusivity?
Assuming regular patent term calculations, exclusivity will last until December 2034, with possible extensions depending on regulatory delays or supplementary protections.
Q5: What is the significance of the patent family?
The patent family ensures protection across multiple key markets, reducing risk of patent circumvention in jurisdictions like Europe, the US, and Asia.
References
- Australian Patent AU2014233277. (2017). Patent documentation.
- WIPO. (2015). PCT application data related to AU2014233277.
- PatentScope. (2022). Patent family and related filings.
- European Patent Office. (2022). Patent landscape reports.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2022). Patent application records.
[1]: Australian Patent AU2014233277. (2017). Patent document.
[2]: World Intellectual Property Organization. (2015). PCT application data.
[3]: European Patent Office. (2022). Patent landscape analysis.
[4]: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2022). Application status report.
[5]: PatentScope. (2022). Patent family and related applications.
