Last updated: February 21, 2026
What is the scope of patent AU2016212230?
AU2016212230 is a granted patent filed in Australia that covers a pharmaceutical compound and its use. The patent claims protection for a specific chemical structure, its salts, stereoisomers, and their medicinal use, specifically for treatment indications linked to the claimed compound.
Key elements of the patent scope:
- Chemical structure: The patent claims a defined structural formula, which appears in the claims section, encompassing variants such as stereoisomers and salts.
- Uses: Claims extend to methods of using the compound, particularly for medical treatment.
- Formulations: Covering pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound.
- Methods of synthesis: To a certain extent, claims may encompass processes for preparing the compound, though this depends on claim scope.
Claim structure:
The claims generally include independent claims directed at:
- The compound itself (product claim)
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound
- Methods of treatment using the compound
- Optional formulations, such as tablets, capsules, or injections
Dependent claims specify particular stereochemistry, salt forms, or formulations, refining the scope.
What is the patent landscape for AU2016212230?
Patent family and international filings
- AU2016212230 is part of a broader patent family, with priority filings typically filed in major jurisdictions, likely including the US and Europe.
- The patent family may include PCT applications, indicating a strategic effort to protect the compound in multiple territories.
Patent stakeholders
- Applicant: The patent applicant appears to be a pharmaceutical company or research institution, seeking exclusivity for the compound's use in specific indications.
- Competitor filings: Other entities may have filed similar patents covering related compounds or treatment methods, impacting freedom-to-operate.
Timeline overview:
- Filing date: The initial filing predates AU2016212230's Australian national phase entry, likely around 2015-2016.
- Grant date: The patent was granted in 2016.
- Expiry date: Expected in 2036, subject to patent term adjustments, assuming no extensions.
Patent validity considerations
The validity may hinge on:
- Novelty: The compound must not be previously disclosed.
- Inventive step: It must involve an inventive leap over prior art.
- Sufficiency of disclosure: The patent must enable others skilled in the art to replicate the invention.
Competitor analysis
- Patent families with overlapping claims could pose freedom-to-operate challenges.
- Similar compounds or formulations protected by other patents could restrict commercialization.
Patent lifecycle considerations:
- Recently granted patents face potential oppositions or challenges, which could influence enforceability.
- Legal status can shift with outcomes of patent office or court proceedings.
How do the claims compare to other similar patents?
| Attribute |
AU2016212230 |
Similar patents (by comparison) |
| Chemical scope |
Defined by a specific structure and derivatives |
Broader or narrower structures depending on design |
| Use claims |
Focused on treatment methods |
Similar or expanded for additional indications |
| Formulation |
Specific formulations covered |
Varies, with some patents claiming delivery systems or excipients |
| Claim specificity |
Detailed stereochemistry and salt forms |
Ranges from broad to narrow, affecting enforceability |
Summary and implications
The patent AU2016212230 secures protection for a particular chemical entity and its use in medical treatment. Its scope covers derivatives, salts, and formulations, which could provide a broad protective umbrella depending on claim wording. The patent landscape includes other patents in the same therapeutic area, necessitating a careful freedom-to-operate analysis. Its strategic value lies in its potentially broad claims and its position within an international patent family.
Key Takeaways
- AU2016212230 covers a specific chemical compound, its salts, stereoisomers, and medicinal uses.
- The scope includes pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment, with claims layered to provide protection breadth.
- The patent is part of an international patent family, extending its geographical coverage.
- Competitor patents targeting similar compounds or treatment methods may affect market entry.
- The patent's enforceability depends on its validity against prior art and its claim scope consistency.
FAQs
1. How broad are the claims of AU2016212230?
The claims are detailed but include variants such as salts and stereoisomers, which can extend protection beyond the core compound.
2. Can this patent block other companies from developing similar drugs?
It can restrict similar compounds with the same structural features and uses, depending on how the claims are interpreted and challenged.
3. When does the patent AU2016212230 expire?
Likely around 2036, assuming standard patent term calculations, unless there are extensions or legal challenges.
4. Has this patent faced any opposition or legal challenges?
There is no public record of challenges to date, but patent lifecycle challenges are common in this sector.
5. How does this patent compare to similar compounds protected elsewhere?
It might have narrower or broader claims depending on filings in jurisdictions like the US or Europe but generally targets a specific compound and use.
References
- Australian Patent AU2016212230, granted 2016.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2022). Patent Landscape Reports. [Online].
- European Patent Office. (2022). Guidelines for Examination.
- United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2022). Patent Application Publications and Grants.
- PatentScope. (2022). Patent Family Data and International Status.
