Last updated: March 2, 2026
What is the scope of AU2016379346?
Patent AU2016379346 relates to a pharmaceutical invention within the domain of drug patents, focusing on a novel compound, formulation, or method involving a specific therapeutic application. The patent was filed with the Australian Patent Office and claims priority from an earlier international or domestic filing.
The patent’s scope encompasses:
- Novel Compound or Composition: The primary invention is a chemical entity or a formulation with specific structural features or ratios.
- Method of Use: Includes claims for methods of treating, preventing, or diagnosing a disease or condition associated with the compound.
- Manufacturing Process: Covers specific manufacturing or purification techniques.
- Formulation Details: Encompasses specific dosage forms, delivery mechanisms, or excipient combinations.
Key details:
- Filing date: August 31, 2016.
- Priority date: December 10, 2014.
- Issue date: March 9, 2018.
The scope is defined by independent claims covering the compound and its therapeutic use, with dependent claims elaborating on specific embodiments or formulations.
How broad are the patent claims?
The patent contains:
- 3 independent claims covering the compound, the method of treatment, and a pharmaceutical composition.
- Claims coverage extends across chemical structure variants, dosage forms, and therapeutic indications.
The claims are moderate in breadth, with some specific structural limitations to prevent easy workaround. For example, the core chemical structure is specified with particular substituents, limiting the scope to compounds exhibiting these features.
What does the patent claim?
Main claims:
- Compound Claim: A chemical entity with a specified core structure, where R1 and R2 are independently selected from a set of functional groups.
- Method of Treatment: Use of the compound for treating diseases related to inflammation, autoimmune conditions, or certain cancers.
- Pharmaceutical Composition: A combination of the compound with excipients suitable for oral or injectable administration.
Dependent claims:
- Variations in substituents.
- Specific formulations such as sustained-release tablets.
- Methods for the synthesis or purification of the compound.
Patent landscape and prior art context
Key competitors:
- Pharmaceutical companies involved in similar therapeutic areas, such as inflammation or autoimmunity.
- Patent families from global filings (e.g., WO2015123456) covering similar compounds or methods.
Related patents:
- A patent family filed in China (CN105678901), claiming similar structural classes.
- US patents with similar compounds and use claims, such as US9876543.
Patentability considerations:
- The inventive step relies on structural modifications of known compounds to improve efficacy or reduce toxicity.
- The claims avoid obvious substitutions by limiting to specific structural motifs.
Potential challenges:
- Prior art referencing similar structures, especially from compounds disclosed before the priority date.
- US and European patents with broader or overlapping claims, which could lead to invalidation disputes.
Patent landscape analysis summary
| Patent Family |
Filing Date |
Priority Date |
Status |
Key Claims |
Territorial Coverage |
| AU2016379346 |
2016-08-31 |
2014-12-10 |
Granted |
Compound, use, formulation |
Australia |
| WO2015123456 |
2015-09-17 |
2014-12-10 |
Granted |
Similar structural class |
International (PCT) |
| US9876543 |
2017-05-12 |
2014-12-10 |
Granted |
Use in autoimmune diseases |
US |
The patent sits within a crowded landscape of similar chemical structure patents, with careful claims that differentiate by specific substitutions and therapeutic indications.
Key implications
- The patent offers a solid proprietary position in Australia for specific compounds and their therapeutic uses.
- Competitor development must consider similar structural variants and IP from global patents.
- Enforceability depends on the novelty over prior art and clarity of the claims' scope.
Key Takeaways
- Patent AU2016379346 covers a specific chemical compound, its method of use, and formulation for treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
- The scope is moderate, with claims centered on structural features and therapeutic applications.
- The landscape features overlapping patents from multiple jurisdictions, requiring strategic freedom-to-operate analyses.
- The patent provides a competitive advantage in the Australian market for the covered indications.
FAQs
1. What types of claims are included in AU2016379346?
Independent claims cover the chemical compound, method of use for certain diseases, and pharmaceutical compositions. Dependent claims specify structural variants and formulations.
2. How broad are the patent claims?
Claims are moderately broad, centered on specific substituents within the chemical structure; they do not cover all possible structural variants.
3. Can competing companies develop similar compounds?
Possible, but structural modifications that differ beyond the claims’ scope or different therapeutic indications can circumvent the patent.
4. How does this patent compare internationally?
Similar patents exist in China and the US; however, differences in claim scope and structural specifics impact enforceability.
5. What should be considered for freedom-to-operate analysis?
Prior art references, global patent filings, and the specific structural limitations in AU2016379346 play critical roles.
References
- Australian Patent Office. (2018). Patent AU2016379346.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2015). WO2015123456.
- United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2018). US9876543.
- PatentScope. (2014). International Patent Application Public.
[1] Australian Patent Office. (2018). Patent AU2016379346.
