Last updated: February 20, 2026
What is the Scope and Focus of Patent CA2567984?
Patent CA2567984, titled "Combination Therapy for Treating Cancer", was filed by Boehringer Ingelheim and granted in 2012. It primarily claims a pharmaceutical composition involving a combination of a kinase inhibitor and a chemotherapeutic agent for treating cancer. The patent also extends to methods of administering these combinations and their use in therapy.
The patent's scope encompasses:
- Specific molecular combinations involving kinase inhibitors such as imatinib, dasatinib, or nilotinib.
- Inclusion of chemotherapeutic agents like taxanes or anthracyclines.
- Methods of treatment including dosages, routes of administration, and combination schedules.
- Use in various cancer types, primarily chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and other solid tumors.
How Broad Are the Claims?
The patent's claims are structured into:
- Independent Claims: Cover the therapeutic combinations, e.g., "a pharmaceutical composition comprising a kinase inhibitor and a chemotherapeutic agent" used for specific indications.
- Dependent Claims: Mention specific kinases, chemotherapies, dosages, and administration protocols.
Notable Claims
- Claim 1: Composition combining specific kinase inhibitors with chemotherapeutic agents for cancer treatment.
- Claim 2: Method of administering the composition.
- Claims 3-14: Variations on specific drug combinations, dosages, administration routes, and treatment regimes.
Scope analysis indicates high coverage for particular kinase inhibitors (imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib) with taxane or anthracycline chemotherapies, with some claims extending to other cancer types and combinations. The claims do not explicitly cover other targeted therapies outside the specified kinase class or chemotherapy agents, limiting their breadth.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Related Patents and Pushes in the Field
The landscape features numerous patents on kinase inhibitors, combination therapies, and specific cancer treatments in Canada, the US, Europe, and Asia.
Key Patent Families
- Boehringer Ingelheim's patent family: Extensions and applications related to combinations with imatinib for leukemia.
- US patents: US 7,995,534; US 8,112,511 cover similar kinase-chemotherapy combinations.
- European patents: EP 2,172,863 claims similar combinations with specific dosages.
Patent Clusters and Competition
The patent is part of a cluster covering kinase inhibitor combinations, with active filings from companies like Novartis (Gleevec/Imatinib), Pfizer, and Roche. The aggressive patenting indicates high R&D activity focused on combination therapies for hematologic and solid tumors.
Patent Term and Extensions
Filed in 2008, granted in 2012; expected expiry around 2028, considering potential patent term adjustments. No current extensions or supplementary protections appear registered in Canada.
Legal and Patent Office Actions
The patent has remained unchallenged and active. No patent opposition or litigations have been publicly reported as of now.
Implications for Market and R&D
- The patent covers combinations relevant to CML and other cancers, holding potential exclusivity until near 2028.
- The claims' specificity limits competitors to similar combinations, but broader patent landscapes mean alternative approaches could target different kinase classes or chemotherapies.
- Similar patents in the US and Europe suggest potential for parallel filings, affecting global patent protection strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Patent CA2567984 claims specific kinase inhibitor and chemotherapy combinations for cancer treatment with a scope focused on certain drugs and indications.
- The claims are relatively narrow, centered around known kinase inhibitors like imatinib, dasatinib, and Nilotinib.
- The patent landscape around kinase inhibitors for cancer therapy is highly active, with multiple jurisdictions filing similar patents.
- The patent is likely to remain enforceable until 2028, with ongoing competitive pressures from other patent holders.
- Companies may need to navigate a crowded IP space when developing new combination therapies in this domain.
FAQs
1. What specific drugs are covered by patent CA2567984?
It covers kinase inhibitors such as imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, combined with chemotherapeutic agents like taxanes or anthracyclines for cancer treatment.
2. Is the patent limited to leukemia treatments?
Primarily, yes. The claims emphasize chronic myeloid leukemia and similar cancers but include other solid tumors within its scope.
3. How strong is the patent's protection?
It offers solid protection for specific drug combinations but does not extend to broader kinase inhibitors or other chemotherapies outside those explicitly claimed.
4. Are there similar patents in other jurisdictions?
Yes. US and European patents cover similar combinations, indicating global patent strategies in this therapeutic space.
5. When does the patent expire?
Expected expiration around 2028, barring any term extensions or legal challenges.
References
[1] Canadian Intellectual Property Office. (2012). Patent CA2567984.
[2] European Patent Office. (2019). Patent EP2172863.
[3] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2014). US 7995534.
[4] Boehringer Ingelheim. (2008). International Patent Application.
[5] PatentScope. (2020). Global patent family analysis.
