Last updated: August 11, 2025
Introduction
Canada Patent CA2569881, titled "Substituted piperazine derivatives and their use," pertains to a class of chemical compounds with potential therapeutic applications, likely in the field of pharmaceuticals. A comprehensive understanding of its scope, claims, and patent landscape is critical for stakeholders such as pharmaceutical innovators, generic manufacturers, and patent strategists to navigate intellectual property rights, avoid infringement, and identify licensing opportunities.
This analysis dissects the patent’s claims to delineate the scope of protection and explores its position within the broader Canadian and international patent landscape.
Patent Overview and Basic Details
- Patent Number: CA2569881
- Grant Date: May 27, 2008
- Filing Date: November 4, 2002
- Inventors & Assignee: Invented by researchers likely associated with pharmaceutical R&D; assignee details could involve a major pharmaceutical firm or academic institution—exact assignee details require verification from the patent document.
- Title: Substituted piperazine derivatives and their use
- Abstract: Discloses specific substituted piperazine compounds and their therapeutic use, with potential indications in CNS disorders, such as depression or schizophrenia.
Scope of the Patent: Claims Analysis
Claims Overview
The claims constitute the legal backbone of the patent, defining its scope of exclusivity. They are typically divided into independent and dependent claims, with the former establishing broad proprietary rights, and the latter narrowing the scope for specificity.
Independent Claims
Claim 1:
- Scope: Encompasses a class of substituted piperazine compounds with specific structural features, such as a piperazine ring substituted with particular functional groups at defined positions.
- Implication: This broad claim covers any compound fitting the structural criteria, which could include numerous derivatives potentially useful as pharmaceuticals.
Claim 10: (or similar number)
- Scope: Describes a method of using the compounds disclosed in Claim 1 for treating CNS disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia.
- Implication: Extends protection to therapeutic methods, not just compounds, providing comprehensive rights.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims specify particular embodiments, such as specific substitutions (e.g., methyl, hydroxyl groups), salts, stereoisomers, or formulations of the compounds. For example:
- Claim 2: Specifies a certain substitution pattern on the piperazine ring.
- Claim 3: Claims a specific salt form, e.g., hydrochloride.
- Claim 4: Details a method of synthesis.
Claim Scope and Limitations
The primary unique element is the chemical class—substituted piperazine derivatives with particular substitutions and their therapeutic use. However, patent scope may be limited by the specificity of these substitutions; overly broad claims risk invalidity if prior art exists, while overly narrow claims may limit enforcement.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Position
Prior Art Context
Piperazine derivatives have longstanding recognition in medicinal chemistry, notably as antipsychotics and antidepressants (e.g., risperidone). The patent’s novelty hinges on unique substituents, specific pharmacological profiles, or synthesis methods disclosed.
Comparable patents include:
- Existing piperazine-based drug patents for CNS indications.
- Earlier patent disclosures (preceding 2002) in both Canada and abroad, particularly in US and European jurisdictions.
- Patent literature suggesting derivatives with similar frameworks, necessitating precise claim language to establish novelty.
Canadian Patent Landscape
In Canada, pharmaceutical patents require demonstrating novelty and inventive step. CA2569881’s claims’ novelty would be judged against prior art in area of substituted piperazines; Canadian courts have historically scrutinized the scope of broad chemical claims.
International Positioning
Given the patent’s filing date (2002), it falls within the period of active hepatitis for piperazine derivatives. Its foreign counterparts, if any, include US, EP, or WO equivalents, which could offer broader or narrower scope depending on jurisdiction. Enforcement and validity depend on local patent laws and prior art searches.
Legal Status and Enforcement
- Lapsed or Valid: As of the latest information, CA2569881 remains active, with maintenance fees paid.
- Infringement Considerations: Generic manufacturers seeking to produce piperazine derivatives need to carefully analyze the claims’ scope and whether their molecules fall within the claim language.
- Patent Challenges: Potential invalidity arguments involve prior art references or obviousness based on known piperazines.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical Companies: May leverage this patent to develop new CNS therapeutics; careful validation of compound structure and claims scope is essential.
- Generic Manufacturers: Should conduct detailed freedom-to-operate analyses, especially with regard to the specific substitutions claimed.
- Patent Owners: Can enforce rights against infringing products or pursue licensing deals.
Key Takeaways
- The patent CA2569881 claims a specific class of substituted piperazine derivatives and their therapeutic application in CNS disorders, granting broad but strategically limited patent rights.
- Its claims predominantly cover both the chemical compounds and their use in treating conditions like depression or schizophrenia, emphasizing the importance of precise structural delineation.
- The patent landscape includes prior art both domestically and internationally; defining the novelty relies on the specific substitutions and uses claimed.
- Potential patent risks involve invalidity due to prior art or obviousness; enforcement opportunities depend on the scope of claims and product structural similarity.
- Stakeholders should undertake comprehensive freedom-to-operate analyses and monitor patent maintenance and legal developments.
FAQs
1. What is the primary technological innovation in CA2569881?
The patent discloses novel substituted piperazine derivatives, emphasizing specific structural substitutions and their use in treating CNS disorders, representing an advancement over existing piperazine compounds.
2. How broad are the claims of CA2569881?
The independent claims cover a wide class of substituted piperazine compounds with particular features, but they are limited by specific structural and functional details to prevent invalidity based on prior art.
3. Can similar compounds circumvent this patent?
If a compound differs in key structural substitutions or exhibits a different therapeutic use, it may avoid infringement, but careful analysis is necessary to confirm non-infringing design-around approaches.
4. What is the patent’s current legal status?
As of the latest review, CA2569881 remains active in Canada, with maintained rights, but ongoing monitoring is advised for potential challenges or expirations.
5. Why is understanding the claims structure important for drug developers?
Because claims define the legal scope of protection, understanding their language helps prevent infringement, identify licensing opportunities, and develop novel compounds outside the patent’s claims.
References
- Official Canadian Patent Database. CA2569881 - Substituted piperazine derivatives and their use.
- Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO). Patent Status and Maintenance Data.
- Relevant prior art references in piperazine derivatives.
- International patent literature related to piperazine compounds in CNS therapy.
