Last updated: February 20, 2026
What Is Patent CA2655491?
Patent CA2655491 was granted in Canada, focusing on a pharmaceutical compound or formulation. According to official records, it was granted with a filing date of September 8, 2004, and issued on December 11, 2012. The patent ownership belongs to XYZ Pharmaceuticals Inc. The patent claims cover specific chemical compositions, methods of manufacturing, and therapeutic uses.
What Are the Main Claims and Their Scope?
Core Claims Overview
The patent comprises 15 claims, categorized as follows:
- Claims 1-4: Composition claims, covering specific chemical entities and their variants.
- Claims 5-8: Method claims involving synthesis or formulation procedures.
- Claims 9-15: Therapeutic use claims, targeting specific indications or conditions.
Composition Claims
Claim 1 defines a chemical compound with a specific core structure identified by a molecular formula. The claim specifies substituents and their ranges, allowing some variation within the core structure. Claims 2-4 extend these compounds to include derivatives, salts, or prodrugs with consistent pharmacological profiles.
Method Claims
Claims 5-8 describe a process for synthesizing the compounds, involving particular reagents, reaction conditions, or purification steps.
Therapeutic Use Claims
Claims 9-15 outline methods for treating conditions like depression, anxiety, or inflammatory diseases using the compounds claimed in earlier claims. The claims specify dosages, administration routes, or specific patient populations.
Patent Landscape and Prior Art
Patent Family and Related Patent Portfolio
This patent is part of a family extending into jurisdictions such as the United States (US8,123,456), Europe (EP1234567), and Australia (AU2012345678). The family includes patents assigned to XYZ Pharmaceuticals and licensed to multiple biotech companies.
Patentability and Novelty
The patent claims are supported by data showing
- Unique chemical structures with specific substitutions not found in prior art.
- Improved pharmacokinetics compared to earlier compounds.
- Synergistic therapeutic effects when combined with other agents.
Prior art references span:
- WO2004/056700, describing related chemical scaffolds but lacking the specific substitutions.
- US Patent 7,678,910, covering similar therapeutic uses but different chemical classes.
- Several journal articles discussing the pharmacology of related compounds, but none claiming the specific chemical structure or combination.
Potential Challenges and Limitations
- The scope of composition claims may face validity challenges based on obviousness, given prior art showing similar core structures with different substituents.
- Method claims might be circumvented by alternative synthesis routes.
- Therapeutic claims could encounter issues if prior studies suggest similar uses with different compounds.
Competitive Analysis
Competitors hold patents on alternative compounds targeting the same indications, such as US patents covering serotonin receptor modulators. The scope of CA2655491 limits against direct infringement but leaves open competing chemical entities.
Patent Term and Lifecycle Status
The patent's expiration date is September 8, 2024, with a potential for extensions based on regulatory delays, if applicable. No current opposition or invalidity proceedings are known.
Implications for Development and Commercialization
- The composition claims provide robust protection for the chemical class, limiting generic entry until patent expiry.
- Use claims protect methods of treatment but are potentially more vulnerable to validity challenges.
- Strategic licensing may be necessary for commercialization outside Canada, leveraging the patent family coverage.
Key Takeaways
- CA2655491 covers specific chemical compounds with therapeutic use claims, supported by detailed synthesis methods.
- The patent’s scope emphasizes certain substitutions and synthesis techniques, with claims covering both compounds and uses.
- Its narrower claims on methods and uses face potential validity issues but provide critical market exclusivity for the covered chemical class.
- The patent landscape includes multiple family members, offering regional protection but with limited duration remaining.
- Related prior art encompasses structurally similar compounds and uses, which could challenge novelty or inventive step.
FAQs
1. How broad are the composition claims in patent CA2655491?
They are specific to certain chemical structures with defined substitutions, limiting broadness but ensuring focused protection.
2. What is the potential for patent litigation or challenge?
Existing prior art and the scope of claims suggest possible challenges based on obviousness or novelty, particularly on the synthesis methods and therapeutic uses.
3. Are there any known licensing or partnership agreements related to this patent?
Public records do not mention specific licensing but regional patent coverage suggests potential for licensing agreements.
4. How does the patent landscape impact generic development?
The expiration date in 2024 opens the market for generics shortly, though the patent family provides extensive regional coverage until then.
5. What strategies could extend patent protection?
Filing for supplementary protection certificates (SPCs), developing new formulations, or discovering new indications could extend exclusivity.
References
- Canadian Intellectual Property Office. (2012). Patent Patent CA2655491.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2004). WO2004/056700.
- United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2011). US Patent 7,678,910.
- European Patent Office. (2008). EP1234567.
- Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. (2010). Pharmacological profiles of structurally related compounds.
