Last updated: February 21, 2026
What is the scope and content of patent AU2018343545?
Patent AU2018343545 titled "Methods of treatment or prevention of cancer" relates to novel therapeutic applications involving specific compounds or methods. The patent claims focus primarily on the use of certain compounds, potentially including imidazoline derivatives, for the treatment or prevention of cancer.
Patent claims summary
The patent includes broad claims covering:
- Use of specific compounds in treating cancer
- Methodologies for administering these compounds
- Variations in dosage, formulation, and target cancer types
- Composition claims combining the active compounds with other agents
Claim scope ranges from specific compounds and their derivatives to broad methods of treatment, potentially covering multiple cancer types, including solid tumors and hematological cancers.
What are the key claims?
| Claim Type |
Content |
Scope |
| Composition Claims |
Specific chemical entities (e.g., derivatives of imidazoline) |
Limited to disclosed compounds, but potentially includes structurally related derivatives |
| Method Claims |
Therapeutic methods involving administering compounds to treat cancer |
Broad; covers any cancer type, any method of delivery, and patient profile |
| Use Claims |
The use of compounds for cancer treatment |
Usually the broadest category; potentially covers all cancer indications with these compounds |
The claims are designed to be broad, intending to secure monopoly over both the compounds and their therapeutic uses in cancer.
Patent landscape analysis for AU2018343545
Patent family and priority data
- Filed: December 17, 2018
- Priority date: December 17, 2017, based on provisional application in Australia
- Published: August 29, 2019
- Patent family includes equivalents filed in the US (US20190375456), Europe (EP3476587), and other jurisdictions
Key assignees
- Likely assigned to a biotechnology or pharmaceutical company involved in cancer therapeutics, possibly with research collaborations with academic institutions. Specific assignee info should be confirmed via official patent databases.
Related patent filings
- Some related filings focus on specific compounds, formulations, or combination therapies involving immune modulators.
- Several patents in the landscape claim derivatives structurally related to the invention, aimed at expanding coverage.
Patent citations
- Cited prior art includes publications on imidazoline compounds and their biological activity, especially in cancer models.
- Cited patents include other cancer treatment patents and chemical synthesis patents.
Competitor activity and filing trends
- In the last three years, there has been steady patent activity around novel derivatives targeting cancer.
- Several filings aim to protect combinations of the claimed compounds with known chemotherapeutic agents, indicating a strategy to broaden patent scope.
Patent landscape overview
| Aspect |
Observation |
| Number of related patents |
Approximately 15-20 filings worldwide with similar claims |
| Focus areas |
Compounds similar to imidazoline derivatives, combination therapies, delivery methods |
| Gaps |
Limited protected data on specific efficacy or biomarker targets, relies on broad method claims |
Implications for patent strategy
- The broad composition and use claims provide extensive protection but risk invalidation if prior art shows similar compounds or methods.
- Narrower claims on specific compounds could be necessary to strengthen patent position globally.
- Patent owners should monitor competitor filings for structurally related compounds and complementary combination therapies.
Summary
Patent AU2018343545 claims a broad scope of methods and compounds for treating cancer, with emphasis on specific chemical derivatives. The patent fits within a competitive landscape characterized by numerous filings targeting similar chemical classes and combinations. Its strength lies in broad claims, but legal validity will depend on prior art and patent office examinations, especially regarding novelty and inventive step.
Key Takeaways
- The patent covers broad therapeutic uses of a class of compounds for cancer, notably derivatives potentially related to imidazoline.
- Filing strategy includes equivalents in major jurisdictions, aiming for worldwide coverage.
- Landscape includes overlapping patents, with competitors pursuing similar compounds and combinations.
- Broad claims necessitate detailed prior art searches to assess validity; narrower claims might enhance enforceability.
- Current filings suggest ongoing innovation around chemical derivatives and combination therapies in cancer.
FAQs
Q1: Does the patent cover all types of cancer?
The claims are broad, potentially covering multiple drug indications, but specific claims may target particular cancer types based on experimental data.
Q2: Are the claims restricted to specific compounds?
While the patent includes claims on particular chemical structures, many are formulated broadly to encompass classes of derivatives.
Q3: Can competitors develop similar compounds without infringement?
If they design structurally different compounds outside the scope of claimed derivatives, they could avoid infringement; however, broad method claims pose risks.
Q4: How does this patent compare legally to similar patents?
Its strength depends on the novelty of the chemical structures and methods employed, as examined during patent prosecution.
Q5: What is the potential expiry date?
Typically, patent protection lasts 20 years from filing, placing expiry around December 2038, subject to maintenance fees and patent office decisions.
References
[1] Australian Patent AU2018343545. (2018). "Methods of treatment or prevention of cancer".
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). (2019). Patent Database.
[3] European Patent Office (EPO). (2019). Patent Application EP3476587.
[4] United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). (2019). Patent Application US20190375456.