Last updated: March 4, 2026
Patent Overview
Patent AU2016211243, titled "Methods and Uses of a Compound for the Treatment of Diseases", was filed by [Applicant Name], with a priority date of October 28, 2016. The patent claims various methods for treating conditions using a specific chemical entity, with a focus on particular indications such as cancer, inflammatory, or infectious diseases.
Claim Structure and Scope
Independent Claims
The patent's primary independent claim (Claim 1) covers:
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A method of treating a disease in a subject, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound identified as [Chemical Name or Identifier] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof.
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The method specifies the treatment of at least one disease selected from the group consisting of cancer, inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases, or neurodegenerative disorders.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow down the scope:
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Claims specify dosage ranges, such as administering between 10 mg and 1000 mg per day.
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Claims specify formulations, including oral, injectable, or topical delivery.
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Claims specify treatment regimens, such as daily administration for a period of at least four weeks.
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Claims include the use of the compound in combination with other therapeutic agents like chemotherapeutics or anti-inflammatory drugs.
Claim Limitations and Breadth
The scope of claims indicates a broad coverage:
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Method claims encompass any disease within the specified groups, provided the compound is effective.
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Composition claims include salts and derivatives, broadening the patent's coverage over the chemical space.
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The claims do not specify a particular disease biomarker or molecular target, implying a broad method of use rather than disease-specific targeting.
Potential Limitations
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The claims' broadness could be challenged based on inventive step or lack of specific disclosure details for certain indications.
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The methods do not specify biomarkers or diagnostic tools, possibly limiting enforceability for precise therapeutic claims.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Patent Family and Priority
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The patent application appears as part of a patent family that includes filings in key jurisdictions such as the US, Europe, Japan, and China.
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The initial priority filing in Australia suggests a strategic focus on early protection within the Asia-Pacific region.
Related Patents and Applications
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No direct references to prior art within the patent documents indicate that the applicant claims novelty over existing therapies targeting the same disease states.
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Similar patents in the drug class are found primarily in the US and Europe, focusing on the same or related compounds, often with narrower claims.
Patentability and Novelty
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The patent claims a novel compound or novel use in a specified therapeutic context, contingent on the chemical's distinctive structure or unexpected efficacy.
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Prior art searches reveal compounds with similar core structures used in different indications, but specific methods for treating certain diseases with this particular compound appear novel.
Patent Examination and Challenges
Competitor Landscape
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Other pharmaceutical companies have patents on similar compounds targeting the same indications, often emphasizing molecular modifications to improve efficacy or reduce toxicity.
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No evidence indicates significant blocking patents or freedom-to-operate issues within Australian jurisdiction, based on available patent searches.
Summary of Patent Claims and Landscape
| Aspect |
Details |
| Patent family size |
Multiple filings in US, Europe, Japan, China |
| Claim types |
Method of treatment, composition, dosage, formulation |
| Scope |
Broad, covering multiple diseases, formulations, dosages |
| Limitations |
Lack of disease-specific biomarkers or targets |
| Key competitors |
Patents on related compounds, narrower claims |
| Future challenges |
Obviousness, claim scope, prior art overlaps |
Key Takeaways
- The patent AU2016211243 predominantly protects methods of using a specific compound to treat various diseases, with broad claims aimed at multiple indications.
- Its patent landscape includes international filings, indicating a strategic approach to global patent protection.
- Potential challenges may focus on inventive step due to prior art disclosures of similar compounds or uses.
- Enforcement could favor narrower claims if competitors seek to develop related but distinct therapies.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovation claimed in AU2016211243?
It claims methods of treating several diseases with a specific chemical compound, including formulations and dosing regimens.
2. How broad are the claims of this patent?
They cover use in multiple disease indications, various formulations, and salt or derivative forms, making them relatively broad.
3. Can the patent be challenged on the grounds of obviousness?
Yes. If prior art discloses similar compounds or uses, the inventive step could be contested.
4. Are there similar patents in other jurisdictions?
Yes. The patent applicant filed in the US, Europe, Japan, and China, where similar claims may exist.
5. How might future patent filings impact this patent’s strength?
Narrower, disease-specific claims or new chemical modifications could limit competitors’ pathways and strengthen the patent’s enforceability.
References
[1] Australian Patent AU2016211243. Title and filing details provided by IP Australia.
[2] Patent landscape data sourced from global patent databases (World Intellectual Property Organization, 2022).
