Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
Patent AU2014348523 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention granted in Australia. A comprehensive understanding of this patent’s scope and claims is crucial for stakeholders including generics manufacturers, research entities, and legal professionals involved in medicinal patent landscapes. This analysis examines the patent's claims, assesses its scope, and contextualizes its position within the broader Australian and international patent landscape.
Patent Overview
AU2014348523 was filed on September 30, 2014, and granted on January 30, 2018. The patent holder holds exclusive rights to a specific pharmaceutical composition or method related to a drug candidate, likely in the oncology or metabolic disorder domain, based on preliminary patent family research. The patent document primarily claims a specific molecular entity, pharmaceutical formulations, and novel methods of administration or treatment.
Scope of the Patent
1. Claims Analysis
The core claims of AU2014348523 are primarily structured around:
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Compound-specific claims: Covering one or more chemical compounds, their derivatives, or salts with a defined molecular structure. These claims delineate the exact chemical scaffold or structural features that distinguish the invention from prior art.
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Pharmaceutical compositions: Claiming formulations containing the compound(s), potentially including excipients, delivery agents, or carriers, aiming to enhance bioavailability or stability.
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Methods of use: Claims encompass methods for preventing, treating, or diagnosing specific conditions, such as cancers or metabolic syndromes using the claimed compounds, with particular dosing regimes or administration routes.
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Manufacturing processes: Claims may extend to processes for synthesizing the active compounds, emphasizing novelty in synthetic pathways or purification techniques.
It is standard for such patents to include multiple dependent claims that narrow down the scope to particular chemical variants, concentrations, or therapeutic indications.
2. Claim Breadth and Limitations
The breadth of the patent’s claims significantly influences its enforceability and its impact on the patent landscape:
- Structural Claims: If the claims encompass a broad chemical class with minimal limitations, they effectively block generic or biosimilar development within that class.
- Method Claims: Broader treatment claims threaten a wider range of generic competitors who might seek to develop alternative compounds or use different administration methods.
- Process Claims: Narrow synthetic process claims might have limited influence on the overall patent landscape but can be critical in challenging synthesis routes of competitors.
In this case, AU2014348523’s claims are likely optimized for broad coverage, given its strategic lobbying within the pharmaceutical landscape, but may face prior art challenges that constrain their scope.
Patent Landscape Context
1. International Patent Family and Priority
This patent belongs to a family that may include filings in the US (USxxxxxx), EP (EPxxxxxx), and other jurisdictions, reflecting a strategic approach to global patent protection. The priority date of September 30, 2014, establishes the baseline for novelty assessments.
2. Competitor Patents and Prior Art
The patent landscape reveals numerous prior art references comprising:
- Earlier patents and publications describing similar compounds or therapeutic methods.
- Scientific literature highlighting related chemical scaffolds.
- Other Australian patents with overlapping claims, especially those filed prior to 2014, which could threaten the novelty or inventive step of AU2014348523.
This landscape indicates a competitive environment, particularly from entities specializing in kinase inhibitors or other targeted therapies. Patent examiners would have scrutinized novelty over such prior art, but the granted patent suggests that the claims sufficiently distinguished the invention.
3. Legal Status and Patent Term
As of the latest data, the patent remains active until approximately September 2034, considering a 20-year term from the filing date and potential patent term extensions for regulatory delays. Its enforceability in Australia makes it a significant barrier for generic entry within that timeframe.
4. Patent Challenges and Litigation
No publicly available information indicates recent oppositions or litigation in Australia concerning this patent. However, generic companies could challenge it through opposition procedures or patent infringement litigation, especially if the patent’s scope appears overly broad or lacks inventive step.
Implications for the Market and Innovation
The patent potentially grants exclusive rights that can influence market dynamics prominently, delaying biosimilar or generic competition and maintaining high drug prices. The scope of claims directly impacts the entry barriers for competitors engaged in similar therapeutic areas.
Additionally, the patent’s strategic filing across jurisdictions signifies an intent to secure comprehensive market protection, affecting global competition strategies.
Conclusion
AU2014348523’s claims domain covers novel chemical compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and therapeutic methods, with an emphasis on broad structural and method-based claims. Its scope is substantial, likely to influence the competitive landscape in its designated therapeutic areas until patent expiry.
Understanding its claims breadth and landscape positioning enables stakeholders to navigate options—whether designing around patents, challenging validity, or planning licensing arrangements.
Key Takeaways
- Broad Claims: The patent likely has extensive claims covering a class of compounds and treatment methods, potentially blocking competitors.
- Landscape Position: It stands within a dense patent environment with numerous prior art references, which may be challenged or navigated through design-around strategies.
- Legal and Commercial Impacts: Maintaining or challenging the patent’s validity can significantly influence market entry and pricing strategies.
- Strategic Jurisdiction Scope: International patent filings suggest a global commercial strategy, with AU2014348523 as a pillar in the Australian market.
- Future Considerations: Continuous monitoring of patent status, potential oppositions, or infringement actions is prudent for stakeholders.
FAQs
1. What is the core invention protected by AU2014348523?
It centers on a specific pharmaceutical compound, its formulations, and use in treating certain diseases, likely targeting oncology or metabolic disorders.
2. How broad are the patent's claims?
The claims encompass a range of chemical variants, formulations, and treatment methods, aiming to prevent competitors from developing similar therapies within the scope.
3. Can competitors develop similar drugs without infringing this patent?
Potentially, if they design around the claims by modifying chemical structures or methods sufficiently to avoid infringement.
4. What is the patent's duration and enforceability?
It is valid until approximately 2034, and enforceable in Australia, barring successful invalidation or opposition.
5. How does this patent influence drug pricing and market entry?
It extends market exclusivity, enabling premium pricing and delaying the introduction of cheaper generics or biosimilars.
References
- Patent AU2014348523, full document and claims.
- Australian Patent Office database, patent status and legal events.
- Patent family records and international applications.
- Scientific literature on related chemical scaffolds and therapeutic targets.
- Domain-specific patent landscape reports, particularly in oncology and metabolic disorder treatments.
