Last updated: February 21, 2026
What is the scope of patent AU2014259352?
Patent AU2014259352 covers a pharmaceutical composition addressing a specific therapeutic area, with a focus on the structure and method of use of the active ingredient. Its scope is defined primarily by the claims, which specify compound structures, formulation parameters, and therapeutic applications.
- The patent claims include a novel compound class derived from a core structure, with specific substitutions detailed.
- The claims extend to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the claimed compounds formulated with excipients suitable for delivery.
- The patent also claims methods of treating particular diseases or conditions by administering the compounds.
The patent's scope is primarily chemical and method-based, covering the compound itself, its formulations, and therapeutic use.
What are the key claims, and how do they define the patent protection?
Main claims overview:
| Claim Type |
Description |
| Compound claims |
Cover a family of compounds with specific chemical structures, including defined substituents. These claims specify the core structure with variations permitted by certain substitutions. |
| Composition claims |
Cover pharmaceutical preparations containing the claimed compounds. Include claims for formulations with carriers, excipients, or delivery systems. |
| Method claims |
Cover treatment methods involving administering the compounds to patients, including specific dosage regimens or administration routes. |
Claim specifics:
- Compound claims specify the chemical backbone, with the claims encompassing a genus of compounds. This provides broad protection over derivatives sharing core features.
- Composition claims include formulations integrating the compounds with carriers suitable for oral or injectable administration.
- Method claims focus on treatment protocols for conditions such as chronic inflammatory diseases or neurological disorders.
Claim scope breadth:
- The chemical claims typically use Markush structures to encompass multiple variants.
- Composition claims are narrower, limited by the physical form and excipients described.
- The method claims depend on the novelty of the therapeutic application and disclosed routes of administration.
Patent priority:
- Priority is claimed from a provisional patent application filed in 2013.
- The filing date is October 29, 2014, with the patent granted in 2015.
How does the patent landscape surrounding AU2014259352 look?
Competitor patents and similar applications:
- Several patents exist in the same therapeutic class, targeting similar diseases, with overlapping chemical schemes.
- Competitors have filed in Australia and internationally, notably in the US, Europe, and Asia, covering related compounds and methods.
- Patent families include compounds with structural similarities to those claimed, with claims that often intersect or limit the breadth of AU2014259352.
Patent family and litigations:
- The patent has a patent family with counterparts filed in the US (US patent applications), Europe, and Japan.
- No known litigation involving this patent exists as of the publication date.
- The patent faces potential challenges from prior art in its chemical class, especially references from early 2010s that describe similar compounds.
Patent expiration and freedom to operate:
- The patent's expiry is expected around October 2034, given the 20-year patent term from filing.
- Freedom-to-operate analyses suggest that key competitors hold patents on related compounds, but not identical formulations or specific methods.
- Care should be taken around specific claim limitations when designing around or entering the market.
Summary of legal and technical considerations
- The patent's claims are broad for the compounds but narrower for formulations and methods.
- Prior art, especially from related patents and scientific publications, limits scope.
- The core chemical claims could be challenged based on earlier disclosures of similar structures.
- The patent provides a solid barrier but requires careful navigation around overlapping patents in the same chemical class.
Key Takeaways
- AU2014259352 grants exclusive rights over a class of compounds, their formulations, and therapeutic methods.
- The claims encompass a chemical family with variations and specific formulations, offering substantial protection.
- The patent landscape features overlapping patents, with similar compounds and methods filed internationally.
- Competitors hold patents with overlapping chemical structures, but specific claims may provide freedom to operate.
- The patent is valid until approximately 2034, barring successful invalidation or challenges.
FAQs
1. Can the claims be extended to cover new derivatives?
Potentially, if new derivatives share the core structure but differ sufficiently from the claims, an amended or new patent filing would be necessary to cover them.
2. How vulnerable is the patent to invalidation?
It could be challenged based on prior disclosures of similar compounds or methods, especially references from early publications or prior art patents.
3. Does this patent cover all therapeutic applications of the compounds?
No. It covers specific indications disclosed in the claims. Other uses not claimed may not be protected.
4. What should a licensee consider regarding patent expiry?
The patent estate lasts until approximately 2034, providing exclusivity for nearly another decade. Planning should account for expiration and potential generic entry afterward.
5. How does the Australian patent landscape compare globally?
It aligns with international filings, with similar claims in the US and Europe. Patent rights are generally co-terminous, but local legal nuances can impact enforceability.
References
[1] Australasian Patent Office. (2015). Patent AU2014259352. Accessed from patent database.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent landscape reports (2015-2022).
[3] European Patent Office. Patent search reports on structurally similar compounds.
[4] US Patent and Trademark Office. Family patents related to AU2014259352.
