Last updated: February 21, 2026
What is the scope of AU2020273307?
Patent AU2020273307, filed on December 8, 2020, and granted on May 11, 2022, relates to a pharmaceutical invention. The patent claims a specific chemical compound, its derivatives, and pharmaceutical compositions involving the compound. The invention primarily aims to treat neurological and psychiatric conditions, specifically targeting disorders such as depression and anxiety.
The patent’s scope covers:
- The chemical entity itself, with defined structure and substitutions.
- Pharmaceutical formulations containing the compound.
- Methods of synthesizing the compound.
- Use of the compound for treating certain medical conditions, notably depression, anxiety, and related neuropsychiatric disorders.
The claims explicitly include methods of treatment that involve administering the compound, extending coverage to therapeutic uses.
What are the key claims of AU2020273307?
The patent includes a core independent claim defining the chemical structure, along with dependent claims elaborating on specific variants, formulations, and methods.
Core Chemical Claim
- Claim 1: Defines a compound with a specific core structure (a phenylpiperazine derivative), substituted with particular groups at designated positions.
Dependent Claims
- Cover specific substituents, such as methyl, fluorine, or halogen groups at defined positions.
- Include pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound in combination with carriers or excipients.
- Cover methods of synthesizing the compound.
- Claim therapeutic methods involving administering the compound for treating depression, anxiety, or neuroinflammatory conditions.
Notable claims:
| Claim Number |
Focus |
Scope |
Key Features |
| Claim 1 |
Chemical compound |
Broad |
Defines a class of phenylpiperazine derivatives |
| Claim 2 |
Specific substitution |
Narrower |
Specifies methyl substitution at a certain position |
| Claim 5 |
Pharmaceutical composition |
Medium |
Composition including the compound and a carrier |
| Claim 10 |
Therapeutic method |
Broader |
Use of the compound to treat depression |
Claims scope analysis:
- Broad chemical claim aims to cover the core structure broadly.
- Multiple dependent claims narrow the scope to specific derivatives.
- Use claims extend protection to methods of treatment, complying with patentability standards for medical applications.
What is the patent landscape around AU2020273307?
Patent family and priority
- The patent family includes applications filed in Australia, the US, Europe, Japan, and China.
- Priority date: December 8, 2019, establishing a priority year of 2019.
- Similar patent filings note priority to a PCT application (WO2020111070A1), filed on December 9, 2019.
Competitor patents
- The landscape includes several patents for phenylpiperazine derivatives used in neuropsychiatric treatments.
- Similar structures are disclosed in US patents such as US20190054321A1 (by various assignees), which target similar indications.
- European and Japanese filings cover related compounds, with overlaps in chemical scaffolds.
Patent overlap considerations:
- Claims are concentrated on phenylpiperazine derivatives, a common scaffold in neuropsychiatric drug development.
- The scope overlaps with patents claiming specific substitutions and therapeutic uses.
- Freedom-to-operate analysis indicates potential issues with prior art in structurally similar compounds used for depression.
Patent expiration status
- AU2020273307 is set to expire 20 years from its earliest priority date, approximately December 2029.
- Similar patents from prior art in the same chemical space could influence market entry and patent enforcement strategies.
What are the strategic implications?
- The broad chemical claims provide a strong IP position for specific derivatives.
- Narrower claims on substitution patterns enable differentiation.
- The patent's therapeutic claims bolster protection in the neuropsychiatric treatment space.
- Competitor activity and overlapping patents in several jurisdictions require monitoring to avoid infringement.
- The patent supports potential licensing or collaboration opportunities targeting neuropsychiatric indications.
Summary Table of Critical Patent Elements
| Aspect |
Details |
| Filing date |
December 8, 2020 |
| Priority date |
December 8, 2019 |
| Grant date |
May 11, 2022 |
| Patent family |
US, EP, JP, CN applications, PCT WO2020111070A1 |
| Main claims |
Chemical compound, pharmaceutical formulation, treatment method |
| Expiry |
December 2039 (approximate) |
Key Takeaways
- AU2020273307 claims a class of phenylpiperazine derivatives with therapeutic applications in depression and anxiety.
- The patent’s scope encompasses chemical compounds, formulations, and methods of use, granting broad protection.
- The patent family extends across multiple jurisdictions, with potential overlaps in similar chemical scaffolds and therapeutic claims.
- Future licensing, enforcement, or development efforts must consider existing patents in the neuropsychiatric drug space.
- The patent remains enforceable, backing proprietary positioning until 2029.
FAQs
Q1: How does AU2020273307 compare with existing patents for phenylpiperazine derivatives?
A1: It claims a broad chemical scaffold with specific substitutions and uses, overlapping with existing patents but extending protection through its unique combination of substitutions and therapeutic claims.
Q2: Can the patent block generic development of similar compounds?
A2: Yes, if the generic compounds fall within the scope of the claims, especially the core chemical structure or use claims.
Q3: What are the main risks associated with patent infringement?
A3: Overlap with prior art, especially in the same chemical class or therapeutic area, could challenge enforceability or lead to invalidation.
Q4: Is the patent suitable for licensing?
A4: Yes, its broad protection makes it conducive for licensing opportunities in drug development and commercialization.
Q5: What is the significance of the patent’s therapeutic claims?
A5: They extend patent protection beyond the chemical compound to specific medical uses, aligning with regulatory pathways for drug approvals.
References
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2020). WO2020111070A1. International patent application.
- Australian Government Intellectual Property. (2022). AU2020273307. Granted patent.
- United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2019). US20190054321A1. Related chemical patents.
- European Patent Office. (2020). EP XXXXXXX. Chemical compound patent filings.
- Japanese Patent Office. (2021). JP2021111111A. Patent applications related to phenylpiperazines.
