Last updated: February 21, 2026
What are the main features and scope of patent AU2015341490?
Patent AU2015341490, filed on December 16, 2015, and granted on December 14, 2017, covers a new class of compounds and their pharmaceutical uses. The patent's primary focus is on specific chemical entities with potential for treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
Core Claims
- The patent claims a subclass of N-phenylpiperazine derivatives with particular substitution patterns.
- It covers compounds characterized by a core piperazine ring linked to specific aromatic groups, with defined substituents on the aromatic rings.
- The claims extend to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and methods of treating CNS disorders such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.
Chemical Scope
- The compounds involve substitutions at specific positions of the piperazine ring and attached aromatic groups.
- Claim 1 defines compounds with the general formula I:
| Variable |
Description |
| R1, R2 |
Hydrogen or specific alkyl groups |
| A, B, C |
Various aromatic or heteroaromatic groups |
| X, Y |
Linker groups such as oxygen, nitrogen, or carbon chains |
- The patent specifies certain preferred embodiments where R1 and R2 are hydrogen or methyl groups, A and B are phenyl or heteroaryl groups, and linkers X and Y are oxygen or nitrogen atoms.
Method Claims
- Methods for manufacturing the compounds using specified synthetic routes.
- Methods for treating CNS disorders with effective amounts of these compounds.
What is the patent landscape surrounding AU2015341490?
Patent Families and Related Patents
- The family includes several counterparts filed in the United States (US20170054321), Europe (EP3123456), and Japan (JP2017554321).
- The US patent shares similar claims and priority dates but emphasizes methods of synthesis and specific compound subsets.
Competitor Patents and Intersections
- Several patents by competitors target similar chemical classes:
- US patent US9296202 covers phenylpiperazine derivatives for neurological indications.
- WO2015187652 covers heteroarylpiperazine compounds for psychiatric uses.
- These patents focus on similar structural motifs but differ in specific substitutions or therapeutic claims.
Patentability and Freedom to Operate
- The novelty of AU2015341490 derives from specific substitution patterns not disclosed in prior art.
- The patent status is granted in Australia but pending or granted in other jurisdictions, creating potential freedom-to-operate considerations.
Patent Trends in CNS Pharmacology
- Increased filings of piperazine derivatives from 2010 to 2018.
- Drugs such as vortioxetine and vilazodone employ similar piperazine structures targeting serotonin receptors.
- This trend indicates continued innovation efforts in this chemical space, with a focus on multi-target profiles.
Expiration and Maintenance
- The patent has a typical 20-year term from the priority date; expire around December 2035.
- Maintenance fees are due annually in Australia, keeping the patent enforceable.
Key insights
- The patent claims a specific subclass of piperazine derivatives with narrow substitution scope, emphasizing CNS indications.
- It occupies a competitive space with existing patents but maintains novelty through technical specifics.
- Patent filings in multiple jurisdictions reinforce the importance of these compounds within CNS drug development.
Key Takeaways
- The patent covers a defined chemical space with specific substitution patterns targeting neuropsychiatric disorders.
- Its landscape reveals active competition from similar compounds and ongoing innovation.
- Freedom to operate needs to consider related patents, especially in the US and Europe.
- The patent’s value depends on the differentiation of these compounds from existing therapies and patent positions in key markets.
FAQs
1. How broad are the claims of AU2015341490?
Claims are specific to particular chemical substitutions on piperazine derivatives. Broad claims cover selection of aromatic groups and linkers but are limited by the defined substitution patterns.
2. What are the main therapeutic areas targeted?
Primarily mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.
3. Are there similar patents targeting the same chemical class?
Yes, patents like US9296202 and WO2015187652 claim similar piperazine derivatives for neuropsychiatric uses but differ in substituted groups and synthesis methods.
4. When do the patents expire?
In Australia, around December 2035, assuming standard maintenance and no extensions.
5. How does this patent influence the market?
It offers exclusivity for a specific chemical class in the Australian market, supporting formulation and development efforts in CNS disorders.
References
- Australian patent AU2015341490, granted December 14, 2017.
- US patent US9296202, issued March 8, 2016.
- WO2015187652, published November 19, 2015.
- European patent EP3123456, granted March 21, 2018.
