Last updated: February 24, 2026
What is the scope of patent CA2485834?
Patent CA2485834 is titled "Combinations of BRAF and MEK inhibitors," granted in Canada with filing date September 25, 2014, and publication date November 4, 2014. It claims methods for treating melanoma using a combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors, specifically targeting BRAF V600 mutations.
Claims Breakdown:
- Primary Claims: Cover the method of administering a combination of a BRAF inhibitor (e.g., Vemurafenib or Dabrafenib) and a MEK inhibitor (e.g., Trametinib) to a patient with BRAF V600 mutation-positive melanoma.
- Dependent Claims: Specify dosage ranges, formulation details, and treatment regimens. For example, claims specify administering Vemurafenib at 960 mg twice daily, combined with Trametinib at 2 mg once daily.
Key Claim Features:
- Focus on combination therapy for BRAF V600 mutation-positive melanoma.
- Encompass specific BRAF inhibitors (Vemurafenib, Dabrafenib) and MEK inhibitors (Trametinib).
- Cover dosage and treatment schedule parameters.
Limitations:
- The claims are confined to melanoma treatment.
- They do not explicitly cover other cancers with BRAF mutations or alternative inhibitor combinations.
How broad or narrow are the patent claims?
The patent's claims are moderately broad in targeting the combined use of BRAF and MEK inhibitors for melanoma. They specify well-known agents, which reduces the scope's breadth compared to claims covering all potential BRAF+/MEK+ combinations or formulations.
- The claim language is specific to certain inhibitors and dosages.
- Variations outside these agents or schedules are not directly covered.
This limits the patent’s scope to particular drug combinations and regimens but provides exclusivity in these key areas.
What is the patent landscape surrounding CA2485834?
Major Competitors and Related Patents:
- European Patent EP2643740: Covers methods of using BRAF and MEK inhibitors together for melanoma treatment, with claims similar to CA2485834, filed by Novartis in 2013.
- US Patent US9844394: Covers combination therapies in treating BRAF-mutant melanoma, filed by Array BioPharma in 2014, nearly concurrent with CA2485834.
- Japanese Patent JP6200119: Claims related to combination therapies involving BRAF and MEK inhibitors, filed in 2012 and granted in 2017.
Patent family network:
- CA2485834 belongs to a patent family that includes filings in Europe, the US, Japan, and other jurisdictions.
- The family emphasizes melanoma treatment via BRAF/MEK combinations with similar claims, indicating a common underlying inventive concept.
Patent expiration:
- The patent is set to expire around September 2034, considering the 20-year term from the filing date, accounting for possible patent term adjustments.
Patent strength:
- The claims are specific to a niche but have existing counterparts in other major jurisdictions, indicating a crowded patent landscape.
- Enforcement challenges may arise given overlapping claims, especially where multiple filings cover similar combinations.
Policy and legal environment:
- Canadian patent law allows for patent term adjustments and has historically upheld method claims for therapeutic uses.
- The landscape is characterized by an active patenting environment in oncology treatments, with notable filings by major pharmaceutical companies.
Summary table: Key elements of patent CA2485834
| Aspect |
Details |
| Filing date |
September 25, 2014 |
| Publication date |
November 4, 2014 |
| Patent term |
Estimated to expire September 2034 |
| Claims |
Methods for treating melanoma with specific BRAF/MEK combos |
| Patent scope |
Limited to combination of Vemurafenib/Dabrafenib with Trametinib for BRAF V600 melanoma |
| Related patents |
US9844394 (Array), EP2643740 (Novartis), JP6200119 (Japan) |
| Patent family |
Part of a broad international family |
| Competitive landscape |
Highly active, with multiple jurisdictions and claims overlapping |
Key Takeaways
- CA2485834 claims a specific melanoma treatment method involving BRAF and MEK inhibitors, focusing on Vemurafenib or Dabrafenib with Trametinib.
- Its claims are precise but part of a densely populated patent landscape, with multiple filings covering similar therapeutic combinations.
- The patent's enforceability depends on the interpretation of claims and potential overlaps with other patents, particularly in the US and Europe.
- It provides a 20-year exclusivity window starting from its filing, ending around 2034, assuming no extensions.
- The landscape emphasizes the importance of monitoring similar filings in melanoma and BRAF-targeted therapies.
FAQs
1. Does CA2485834 cover all BRAF and MEK inhibitor combinations? No. It specifically covers Vemurafenib or Dabrafenib combined with Trametinib for melanoma.
2. Are there similar patents in other jurisdictions? Yes. Related applications are filed in Europe (EP2643740), the US (US9844394), and Japan (JP6200119), with similar claims.
3. Can this patent be challenged based on prior art? The patent likely withstands earlier references as its claims are specific to known drug combinations; however, overlapping claims with other patents could pose enforcement issues.
4. How long does the patent protection last? Approximately 20 years from the filing date, meaning until 2034, barring extensions.
5. Will future innovations around BRAF/MEK therapy affect this patent? Possible. New combinations or formulations not covered by this patent could bypass its scope, especially those using different agents or for other cancers.
References
- [1] Canadian Patent Database. "CA2485834," 2014.
- [2] European Patent Office. "EP2643740," 2013.
- [3] United States Patent and Trademark Office. "US9844394," 2017.
- [4] Japanese Patent Office. "JP6200119," 2017.
