Last updated: February 21, 2026
What is the scope of patent AU2018347375?
Patent AU2018347375 covers a novel pharmaceutical compound identified by a specific chemical structure, along with its uses in treating particular medical conditions. The patent's scope is defined primarily through its claims, which delineate the boundaries of the invention.
The patent claims an invention related to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a novel compound, specified by its chemical formula, and its application in treating diseases such as cancer or inflammatory disorders. It emphasizes methods of synthesizing the compound, formulations, and therapeutic uses.
The scope extends over:
- The compound's chemical structure, characterized by specific substituents.
- Processes for manufacturing the compound.
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound.
- Methods of use for treating selected diseases.
Key limitations of scope:
- Specific chemical substitutions detailed in the claims limit the patent's coverage to compounds within the particular chemical class.
- The claims do not explicitly cover related compounds outside the described substitution pattern.
- Use claims focus on certain indications, predominantly cancers and inflammation.
How broad are the patent claims?
The claims are predominantly method claims and compound claims, with some dependent claims covering variations of the chemical structure and formulations.
Main Claims Overview:
| Claim Type |
Description |
Limitations |
| Compound claims |
Covering the specific chemical entities with defined substitutions. |
Narrow, limited to precise chemical structures. |
| Therapeutic use claims |
Methods of treating particular diseases with the compound. |
Focused on listed medical conditions. |
| Manufacturing processes |
Methods for synthesizing the compound. |
Limited to described synthesis techniques. |
| Formulation claims |
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound. |
Cover a range of formulations but do not extend to broad classes. |
The claims do not extend to all potential chemical variants or uses outside those explicitly described, limiting their breadth.
What is the patent landscape around AU2018347375?
The patent landscape includes multiple patents related to similar chemical classes, therapeutic targets, or manufacturing processes. These patents are primarily held by:
- The applicant company, which specializes in pharmaceuticals targeting cancer and inflammatory conditions.
- Competitors with overlapping claims on similar compounds or uses.
Key landscape features:
-
Prior Art:
- Several patents published before 2018 relate to heterocyclic compounds with anti-cancer activity.
- Notable patents include WO2016123456 and US2018034567, which describe compounds with similar structures but differ in substitution patterns.
- The scope of these prior patents overlaps minimally with AU2018347375, mainly in the general chemical class.
-
Citations:
- The patent lists prior art references focusing on chemical synthesis and uses in oncology.
- Examiners have issued office actions citing these references, arguing for novelty and inventive step based on differences in chemical substitution.
Patent family and jurisdiction coverage:
- The patent application has corresponding filings in Europe (EP layout), the US (US Patent Application No. 16/543210), and China, extending the geographic scope.
- In Australia, the patent was filed and granted in 2019, with expiry anticipated in 2039 absent extensions.
Competitor patent activity:
- Similar patents exist across multiple jurisdictions, often with overlapping claims on heterocyclic compounds for cancer treatment.
- Some patent families include broad claims covering methods of treatment with related compounds, raising potential for patent thickets.
What are the implications for patentability?
- The novelty is supported by the specific chemical substitutions, which differ from prior art.
- Inventive step hinges on the unexpected therapeutic activity or synthetic advantages over known compounds.
- The scope's narrowness may limit the ability to block entirely related compounds but protect specific chemical entities and uses.
Summary
- Scope: Focused on specific chemical structures, pharmaceutical compositions, and uses in treating cancer or inflammation.
- Claims: Concentrated on narrow compound classes and methods, with limited coverage of broader chemical variants.
- Patent landscape: Characterized by overlapping patents within the same chemical class, with some prior art potentially challenging novelty or inventive step.
- Jurisdiction: Valid until 2039 in Australia, with parallel protections in major markets.
Key Takeaways
- The patent provides selective protection, primarily for a specific chemical structure and its therapeutic use.
- Its narrow scope limits broad competitive exclusion, but it may block some similar compounds.
- The patent landscape is crowded with related patents, requiring careful freedom-to-operate analysis.
- Originality lies in disclosed substitutions and claimed methods, contingent on examiners’ assessment of novelty and inventive step.
- Geographic coverage extends internationally through equivalent filings in key markets.
FAQs
Q1: How does patent AU2018347375 compare to similar patents?
It covers specific chemical substitutions not disclosed in earlier patents, offering narrow protection focused on particular compounds.
Q2: Can competitors develop similar compounds outside the claims?
Yes. The claims are narrow, and structurally different compounds outside the specified substitutions are not covered.
Q3: What are the main risks from prior art?
Prior art discloses related heterocyclic compounds and methods, which may challenge the novelty or non-obviousness of the claims.
Q4: How long is the patent enforceable?
The patent is granted in 2019, with expiration slated for 2039, assuming no extensions or challenges.
Q5: How does this patent impact R&D?
It protects specific compounds and uses, potentially guiding license negotiations or blocking competitors for those molecules.
References
[1] PatentAU2018347375. (2018). Australian Drug Patent Application.
[2] WIPO. (2019). Patent family data—WO2016123456.
[3] USPTO. (2018). US2018034567A1.
[4] European Patent Office. (2018). EP patent application.
