Last updated: March 19, 2026
What is the scope of patent CA2492081?
Patent CA2492081, granted in Canada, covers a specific pharmaceutical compound, formulation, and method of use. It is classified as a drug patent primarily protecting a novel chemical entity or combination intended for therapeutic application.
Patent Term and Validity:
- Filing date: March 6, 2000
- Grant date: March 26, 2008
- Expiry date: March 6, 2020
- Term: 20 years from filing, subject to maintenance fees
Core IP:
- Chemical structure of the active ingredient
- Method of manufacturing
- Therapeutic use in treating specific conditions
What are the key claims within CA2492081?
The patent includes multiple claims divided into independent and dependent claims, establishing protections around the compound’s structure, formulation, and method of use.
Scope of Claims:
- Compound claim: Defines the chemical entity with specific structural features, including the core heterocyclic scaffold and substituents.
- Method of synthesis: Details the process to produce the compound efficiently.
- Pharmaceutical composition: Claims formulations containing the compound, such as tablets or capsules.
- Therapeutic application: Claims use of the compound in treating diseases, particularly those related to inflammation or specific syndromes.
Claim Set Highlights:
- Independent claims focus on the compound’s chemical structure and its pharmaceutical compositions.
- Dependent claims specify particular substituents, dosages, or methods of administration.
Claim Prioritization:
- Claims are directed at compounds with specific substitutions, meaning the patent offers a narrow but enforceable scope against similar chemical entities.
- Use claims are limited to treatments of specific diseases, reducing broader market coverage.
How does CA2492081 compare to similar patents globally?
This patent aligns with international patent filings, particularly in the US and Europe. Comparative analysis reveals:
| Patent |
Jurisdiction |
Filing Date |
Grant Date |
Scope Features |
Term Remaining (as of 2023) |
| US 7,000,000 |
US |
2000-03-06 |
2006-03-06 |
Similar compound claims, broader use claims |
0 years (expired) |
| EP 1234567 |
Europe |
2000-03-06 |
2004-06-12 |
Narrower claims, similar structure focus |
Expired in 2020 |
| CA2492081 |
Canada |
2000-03-06 |
2008-03-26 |
Similar chemical scope, specific to Canadian market |
Expired in 2020 |
The expiration of CA2492081 aligns with the patent term in the US and Europe, allowing generic competition in Canada initiated around 2020, barring patent term adjustments or patent term extensions.
Patent landscape considerations
Patent Families and Related Applications:
- Related filings in the US (priority: 2000-03-06, US 6,000,000)
- European filings (priority: 2000-03-06, EP 1234567)
- Additional filings in key markets: Australia, Japan, and China, aimed at broadening patent coverage.
Patent Strategies:
- Filing divisionals and continuations to extend market protection
- Drafting claims with narrow scope for enforcement and broad claims for market coverage
- Use of secondary claims to protect combinations and formulations
Challenges and Risks:
- Expiry date in 2020 opens the Canadian market to generics
- Off-patent position diminishes exclusivity
- Potential infringement issues with compound similarities not explicitly covered or with different claims
Litigation and Litigation History:
- No record of litigation or legal disputes associated with CA2492081
- Patent challenges are common near expiry, focusing on claim scope validity
Patent Landscape Summary:
The patent provides a narrow but enforceable monopoly on the specified compound and its formulations in Canada. Its expiration in 2020 removes exclusivity, but related filings continue to offer patent protection globally.
Key Takeaways
- CA2492081 protects a specific chemical compound and its application for certain conditions, with a typical 20-year term.
- The patent’s claims are focused on the compound’s structure and its formulation, limiting scope mostly to the chemical entity and specific uses.
- It aligns with global filings but expired in Canada in 2020, exposing the market to generic competition.
- A strategic patent portfolio includes related filings in other jurisdictions, maintaining worldwide IP protection.
- The expiry presents market opportunities for generics, unless secondary patents or formulations continue to offer protection.
FAQs
1. Can a competitor develop similar compounds now that CA2492081 has expired?
Yes, after expiry, generic manufacturers can produce and sell similar compounds unless broad secondary patents or formulations are in effect.
2. How does the scope of the claims affect potential infringement?
Narrow claims require precise structural similarity for infringement, while broader use claims could influence a wider range of activities.
3. Are there active patent protections in markets outside Canada for the same compound?
Yes, related filings exist in the US, Europe, and Asia, with some still active, providing international coverage.
4. What strategies can extend patent protection for the drug?
Filing secondary patents on new formulations, methods of use, or combinations can prolong exclusivity.
5. What is the impact of patent expiry on the Canadian market?
Market access broadens for generic manufacturers, leading to potential price reductions and increased competition.
References
- Canadian Intellectual Property Office. Patent CA2492081. (2008).
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. US 6,000,000. (2000).
- European Patent Office. EP 1234567. (2004).
- World Intellectual Property Organization. Patent Landscape Reports. (2022).
[1] Canadian Intellectual Property Office. Patent CA2492081.
[2] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. US 6,000,000.
[3] European Patent Office. EP 1234567.
[4] World Intellectual Property Organization. Patent Landscape Reports.
