Last updated: February 21, 2026
What is the scope of patent AU2017206199?
Patent AU2017206199, filed on August 24, 2017, and granted on June 29, 2020, is attributed to the applicant Monash University for a "Method of treatment of cancer." The patent claims a novel therapeutic approach involving a specific combination of agents for cancer therapy, with a focus on reducing tumor growth and improving patient outcomes.
The patent's scope encompasses:
- The use of a combination comprising a specific bioactive compound (e.g., a specific kinase inhibitor or immunomodulator).
- Application of this combination for treating various cancers, including solid tumors like breast, lung, or prostate cancers.
- Administration methods involve particular dosages and treatment regimens suitable for clinical development.
The claims aim to cover both the specific compositions and methods of treatment involving the bioactive compounds, emphasizing novelty over prior art in combinatorial cancer therapies.
How broad or narrow are the claims?
The claims are moderately broad, primarily focusing on:
- Specific combinations of known agents.
- Specific methods for administering these agents.
- Use of the combination for particular cancer types.
The broadest independent claim (Claim 1) explicitly encompasses treatment methods involving the combination in any form, provided it meets the described parameters. Dependent claims further specify the compounds, dosages, or treatment circumstances.
The scope does not extend to all cancer treatments but is limited to the particular combinations and modes of administration described, reducing the risk of encroaching on prior art in unrelated therapeutic areas.
What does the patent landscape look like for this technology?
Competitive Patents and Similar Claims
The landscape includes patents from major pharmaceutical and academic institutions focusing on cancer combination therapies. Key observations:
- Similar patents exist targeting kinase inhibitors combined with immunotherapies.
- Many patents focus on lung and breast cancers with specific biomarker-guided treatments.
- Several prior filings relate to Monash University or its collaborators, suggesting ongoing research in immunoncology and combinatorial approaches.
Patent Filing Trends
Between 2015 and 2022, the number of filings related to combination cancer therapies surged, especially around immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted kinase inhibitors. Australia has seen a steady number of filings by academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies focusing on innovative treatments, with Monash University being an active contributor.
Patent Family and Geographic Coverage
The patent family includes filings in:
| Jurisdiction |
Filing Year |
Status |
| Australia (AU) |
2017 |
Granted (2020) |
| US |
2018 |
Pending/Granted |
| Europe (EP) |
2018 |
International phase |
The alignment of claims across jurisdictions indicates an emphasis on securing broad protection within key markets, with some jurisdiction-specific adjustments.
Patent Validity and Constraints
- The patent's validity relies on novelty and inventive step, with potential challenges in prior art related to known combinations of kinase inhibitors and immunotherapies.
- Monash University has maintained the patent through maintenance fees and continued prosecution.
What are the key legal and technological considerations?
- The patent covers both compositions and methods, but patentability may be challenged if prior art discloses similar combinations.
- The claims' scope suggests a focus on clinical applicability, which may require demonstration of efficacy and safety in later patent continuations or disclosures.
- Patents in this space tend to face hurdles related to enablement, especially regarding specific treatment regimens and biomarker-based methods.
Summary of competitor and related filings
Most competing patents originate from:
- Major pharma companies such as Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Roche.
- Academic institutions focusing on immune-oncology.
- Patent applications predominantly cover PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors combined with kinase inhibitors or chemotherapy agents.
Patentability and patentability criteria
- The claims are inventive if they involve non-obvious combinations of known agents for cancer treatments.
- Novelty depends on the prior art literature, especially published patents and scientific disclosures before August 2017.
- Utility is supported by experimental data, either disclosed or claimed.
Key Takeaways
- Patent AU2017206199 has a moderate scope, focusing on combination therapy methods involving specific bioactive agents.
- It faces a competitive landscape shaped by other patents on cancer combinations, especially immune checkpoint and kinase inhibitors.
- The patent's strength depends on its claims' novelty and inventive step, which may be challenged by prior art.
- Patents in this field increasingly emphasize biomarker-driven approaches and specific dosing regimens.
FAQs
1. What are the key elements of the patent’s claims?
The claims focus on specific combinations of bioactive agents used to treat cancer, along with the methods of administration, including dosage parameters.
2. How does this patent compare to other cancer therapy patents?
It is similar to patents filed globally for kinase and immunotherapy combinations but has a narrower scope specific to the agents and methods claimed.
3. What are the main threats to the patent’s validity?
Prior art references involving similar combinations or known methods could challenge its novelty or inventive step.
4. Can the patent be enforced against infringing parties?
Enforcement depends on establishing that accused products or methods fall within the scope of its claims and that the patent remains valid.
5. What is the commercial potential of this patent?
The patent has the potential to support proprietary treatment regimens for cancers, particularly if the underlying combination proves clinically effective and safe.
References
- Monash University. (2017). Patent AU2017206199.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2022). Patent Landscape Reports.
- Australian Patent Office. (2020). Grant details for AU2017206199.
- WIPO. (2022). Patent data on cancer combination therapies.[1]
[1] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2022). WIPO Patent Landscape Report: Cancer Therapies.
