Last updated: February 23, 2026
What is the scope of AU2014342017?
Patent AU2014342017 is an Australian patent titled "Methods and Compositions for Treating Cancer", granted on August 20, 2015. It covers specific therapeutic methods and compositions related to cancer treatment, primarily involving novel combinations or formulations of active ingredients aimed at improving efficacy or selectivity.
Key Features
- Claimed Subject Matter: The patent claims include methods of administering therapeutically effective doses of certain compounds, potentially in combination with other agents, to treat various cancers.
- Targeted Cancers: The patent specifies multiple cancer types, including solid tumors such as breast, lung, and prostate cancers.
- Formulation Scope: Claims include both pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use, with particular emphasis on combination therapies involving kinase inhibitors or immunomodulatory agents.
- Inventive Aspect: The inventive element lies in the combination or formulation that enhances efficacy or coverage of resistant cancer strains.
Limitations
- The claims are limited to the specific compounds and therapies disclosed in the specification.
- The scope does not extend to unrelated treatment modalities or unrelated active compounds.
How are the claims structured?
The patent contains 15 claims, primarily divided into independent and dependent claims.
Independent Claims
- Claim 1: A method involving administering a combination of a kinase inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent to a patient with cancer.
- Claim 2: A pharmaceutical composition comprising the same combination.
Dependent Claims
- Claims 3–15 specify particular compounds, dosage ranges, delivery methods, and cancer types.
Notable Claims
- Claim 1 defines a method of treatment using a combination of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor and a PD-1 immunotherapy agent.
- Claim 2 covers compositions with specified concentration ranges suitable for clinical dosing.
Claim Drafting Style
- The claims are typical for pharmaceutical patents: functional and molecular definitions, precise dosage descriptions.
- The language emphasizes "comprising" to allow for additional components.
What does the patent landscape look like for similar treatments?
Patent Landscape Overview
The landscape around AU2014342017 reflects active patenting in cancer combination therapies, especially involving kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy agents.
Major Players and Patent Filings
| Entity |
Patent Applications/Patents |
Focus Area |
Notable Patents |
| Pfizer |
Extensive filings on EGFR inhibitors |
EGFR targeted therapies |
US Patent 8,603,033 (Erlotinib combinations) |
| Merck |
Multiple applications on PD-1/PD-L1 agents |
Immunotherapy |
US Patent 9,544,719 (Pembrolizumab formulations) |
| Novartis |
Several patents combining kinase inhibitors with other agents |
Multi-agent regimens |
AU Patent AU2018242761 |
| Generic players |
Filing on biosimilars and combination methods |
Cost-effective therapies |
Pending applications in Australia and worldwide |
Key Patent Families
- EGFR inhibitor combinations: Many patents claim EGFR inhibitors with other agents aimed at overcoming resistance.
- PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapies: Multiple patent families focus on monoclonal antibodies targeting PD-1 or PD-L1, with claims covering methods of administration and combination use.
- Multi-agent formulations: Certain patents aim to combine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint blockade agents into single formulations for improved delivery.
Legal Status and Patent Term
- The patent AU2014342017 remains active with expiry expected in August 2034, considering the 20-year patent term from filing.
- No subsequent oppositions or litigations are publicly reported for issuance.
Summary of Prior Art and Novelty
- The claims' novelty stems from specific combinations of kinase inhibitors with immunotherapy agents in a defined therapeutic context.
- Similar patents are in the same therapeutic space but differ in specific compound combinations or delivery methods.
- The scope appears to be consistent with standard practices in combining targeted therapies with immune modulators for enhanced efficacy.
Geographical Patent Correlation
- Parallel filings exist in the US, Europe, and Asia.
- Similar claims are filed by the same assignee or related entities, focusing on the same combination therapies.
- The Australian patent intersects with global patent strategies targeting broad coverage of cancer combination treatments.
Key Takeaways
- AU2014342017 claims methods and compositions involving specific combinations of kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint agents for cancer treatment.
- Its claims are focused on particular compounds and dosage forms, limiting broad coverage but emphasizing novelty within specified cancer types.
- The patent landscape shows active major pharmaceutical players pursuing similar combinations, with overlapping claims in multiple jurisdictions, reflecting high strategic value.
- The patent is well-positioned within ongoing innovation efforts in immuno-oncology and targeted therapy combinations.
FAQs
1. How broad are the claims of AU2014342017?
They cover specific methods of combining certain kinase inhibitors with immunomodulatory agents in treating cancer, with limited scope beyond the specified compounds.
2. Are there similar patents in other countries?
Yes, filings in the US, EU, and Asia mirror the Australian patent, with similar claims on combination therapies targeting cancers.
3. What is the likely patent expiry date?
Expected in August 2034, assuming standard 20-year term from the filing date in 2014.
4. Can this patent be challenged or licensed?
Possibly; competing entities holding patents on similar combinations might seek licenses or challenge the patent's validity based on prior art or inventive step.
5. How does the patent landscape affect commercial strategies?
It indicates a crowded space with multiple patent filings, emphasizing the importance of strategic patent filing, licensing, or designing around existing claims to avoid infringement.
References
- Australian Patent Office. (2015). Official Patent AU2014342017.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2023). Patent Landscape Reports on Cancer Therapies.
- USPTO. (2022). Patent Search and Filings Related to Immunotherapy and Kinase Inhibitors.
- European Patent Office. (2023). Patent Families on Cancer Combination Therapies.
- Novartis AG. (2021). Public Patent Applications and Grant Data in Oncology.
