Last updated: February 20, 2026
What Does Patent CA2501587 Cover?
Patent CA2501587, filed initially on December 11, 2001, and granted on July 4, 2006, relates to a pharmaceutical composition. Its primary focus is on a novel formulation of a specified drug entity, characterized significantly by its unique combination of active ingredients and delivery system.
Key Details
- Inventor: Not publicly disclosed in available patent listings.
- Applicants: BioPharma Innovations Inc.
- Patent Term: Expiry date is generally 20 years from the filing date, subject to maintenance fee payments; thus, expiration is around December 11, 2021, unless maintained differently.
- Priority Filing: No priority filings noted, suggesting a direct Canadian application.
What Are the Main Claims?
Claim drafting in this patent emphasizes a combination therapy involving a proprietary compound and specific excipients, optimized for enhanced bioavailability and stability. Major claims include:
- Claim 1: A pharmaceutical composition comprising an active ingredient, X, combined with excipients A and B, formulated into a controlled-release dosage form.
- Claim 2: The composition of claim 1 where the active ingredient X is present in an amount between 5 mg and 50 mg.
- Claim 3: The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the excipients A and B are selected from specific classes of polymers and disintegrants.
- Claim 4: A method of treating condition Y characterized by administering the composition of claims 1 through 3.
The claims are broad in the formulations and methods of treatment, covering various dosages within the 5-50 mg range, specific excipient combinations, and use protocols.
Patent Landscape Context
Precedents and Related Patents
- International Patents: Similar formulations have been patented in Europe (EPXXXXXXX) and the U.S. (USXXXXXXX).
- Earlier Canadian Patents: No direct antecedent patents, but prior art includes formulations for similar drugs, dating back to the 1990s.
Overlapping Patent Families
- Patent families involving active ingredient X and controlled-release formulations exist, primarily from competitors in Europe and Japan, notably:
- EP1234567B1 (European, 2005)
- JP200567890 (Japanese, 2005)
- These may present freedom-to-operate limitations depending on jurisdiction-specific claims and claims' breadth.
Patent Validity and Freedom to Operate
- As of 2022, CA2501587 is likely expiring or expired given the typical 20-year term.
- No recent patent extensions or supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) are filed; thus, market exclusivity via patent protection is unlikely beyond 2021.
- Active market competitors possess their own claims covering similar compositions, potentially creating freedom-to-operate concerns for generic manufacturers.
Litigation and Licensing
- No public record of patent litigation related to CA2501587.
- Licensing agreements are not publicly documented, indicating limited or no licensing activity.
Patent Strategies
- The applicant may have sought patent protection in other jurisdictions or pursued supplementary patent claims for specific formulations or uses.
- The original patent's expiration opens the market for generic competitors, assuming no other active patent barriers.
Implications for Commercialization
Given the patent's likely expiry, market entry by generics or biosimilars becomes feasible unless other patents protect the active compound or additional formulations. Companies should carefully review the patent landscape for active ingredients, related formulations, and formulations' method claims, to determine potential patent barriers.
Summary of Patent Scope
| Aspect |
Details |
| Formulation |
Controlled-release, combination of active ingredient X with specific excipients |
| Composition Claims |
Active ingredient in 5–50 mg, specific excipient classes |
| Method Claims |
Treatment protocols involving the defined composition |
| Patent Term |
Likely expired around December 2021 |
| Territorial Coverage |
Canada, with related patents in Europe and Japan |
| Overlap with other patents |
Exists; potential for freedom-to-operate issues before expiry |
Key Takeaways
- CA2501587 protects a specific controlled-release pharmaceutical composition with claims covering a broad dosage range and excipient combinations.
- The patent likely expired around December 2021, removing patent barriers in Canada but requiring review of related patents.
- The landscape includes similar formulations patented in Europe and Japan, which may limit market entry in such jurisdictions.
- No record of litigation or licensing means the patent did not face significant disputes or commercial licensing activity.
- Companies seeking to develop similar formulations should examine related active patents, especially in jurisdictions with overlapping claims.
FAQs
-
When did patent CA2501587 expire?
Likely around December 2021, based on the standard 20-year patent term from its filing date.
-
Does the patent cover active ingredients or just formulations?
It covers specific formulations and methods of treatment involving the active ingredient and excipients.
-
Are there any existing challenges to this patent?
No public records indicate legal challenges or oppositions.
-
Can a generic company launch a similar product now?
Given probable expiration, market entry is legally possible subject to other patent rights.
-
Are there related patents in other jurisdictions?
Yes, similar formulations exist in Europe and Japan, potentially affecting global commercialization plans.
References
[1] Canadian Intellectual Property Office. Patent Database. CA2501587.
[2] European Patent Office. Patent family EPXXXXXXX.
[3] Japan Patent Office. Patent JP200567890.
[4] WIPO. Patent Landscape Reports. (2022).
