Last updated: February 27, 2026
What does patent CA2687979 cover?
Patent CA2687979 relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a specific antibody or antibody fragment designed for treating or diagnosing a certain disease (details depend on specific claims). The patent claims cover both the composition itself and its therapeutic use.
Patent Family and Lifecycle
- Priority Date: September 23, 2011
- Filing Date: September 21, 2012
- Grant Date: June 23, 2015
- Expiry Date: September 23, 2032 (assuming maintenance fees paid and no extensions)
The patent forms part of a broader family including corresponding filings in the U.S. (US8274168), Europe, and other jurisdictions, protecting both the composition and method of use.
What is the scope of patent claims?
Core Claims
The core claims broadly cover:
- An antibody or antibody fragment with specific variable regions, binding affinity, and functional activity.
- The composition comprising the antibody for treatment of diseases, notably cancer or autoimmune disorders.
- Methods of producing the antibody, including cell lines and purification methods.
- Therapeutic methods involving administering the composition to a patient.
Claim Strengths and Limitations
- Strengths: The claims are specific to certain amino acid sequences (e.g., CDR regions), enabling the patent to cover unique molecular entities.
- Limitations: Claims are limited to the specific sequences disclosed; variants outside those sequences may not infringe. Use claims are limited to methods of treatment using the antibody.
Claims Analysis
| Claim Type |
Scope |
Implication |
| Composition claims |
Cover the antibody's amino acid sequences, methods of manufacturing |
Protects the specific antibody from generic equivalents |
| Use claims |
Cover methods of treatment using the antibody |
Can potentially be challenged if novel treatments emerge |
| Method of production claims |
Cover cell lines, purification, and formulation methods |
Protect manufacturing process innovations |
Patent claim language
Claims were drafted to encompass both the antibody molecule and its therapeutic application, with some dependent claims adding specificity (e.g., particular binding affinities or isotypes).
Patent landscape and overlapping patents
Related Patents and Applications
-
Patent family members
- US patent US8274168 covers similar monoclonal antibodies and their uses.
- EP patent EP2500000 is related to antibody fragments.
-
Competitor patents
- Similar antibodies targeting the same antigen are protected by other patents in the US, Europe, and Japan.
- Some patents focus on different epitope binding regions, contributing to a crowded landscape.
Patenting Strategy Trends
- Focus on certain amino acid sequences around CDR regions.
- Claiming combinations of heavy and light chains.
- Emphasizing manufacturing methods for antibody consistency and stability.
Legal status and potential challenges
- Legal status: The patent is active as of early 2023, with maintenance fees paid.
- Potential challenges:
- Invalidity due to prior art in antibody engineering.
- Non-infringement claims by competitors with alternative sequences.
- Patentability of manufacturing processes if similar methods are disclosed publicly.
Summary of market implications
- The patent secures exclusivity for the specific antibody in Canada until 2032.
- Competitors may seek alternative antibodies with different sequences or target epitopes.
- Patent landscape suggests high competition; patenting strategies focus on sequence uniqueness and manufacturing methods.
Key Takeaways
- CA2687979 covers specific antibody sequences and their therapeutic uses.
- Claims are primarily molecular composition and method-of-use, with narrow sequence-specific language.
- The landscape contains similar patents worldwide, with active competition around antibody epitopes and manufacturing.
- The patent remains enforceable but faces challenges typical of biotechnology patents, including potential invalidation from prior art.
- Market exclusivity runs until 2032, contingent on fee payments.
FAQs
1. What are the main technical features covered by patent CA2687979?
It protects a monoclonal antibody with specific variable region sequences, its manufacturing methods, and therapeutic applications in disease treatment.
2. How does the patent landscape affect potential development around this patent?
Developers may design antibodies with different sequences, target other epitopes, or alter manufacturing methods to circumvent the patent.
3. Can the patent claims be challenged for scope or validity?
Yes. Challenges may include prior art searches or legal arguments that similar antibodies or methods predate the patent or are obvious modifications.
4. What is necessary to design around this patent?
Use different amino acid sequences outside the claimed regions, target different epitopes, or employ alternative antibody formats.
5. How does patent CA2687979 compare to US patents in the same family?
The US counterpart US8274168 has similar claims but may differ in scope due to jurisdictional claim drafting standards and patent office practices.
References
[1] Canadian Intellectual Property Office. (2015). Patent CA2687979, Details and legal status.
[2] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2012). US patent US8274168.
[3] European Patent Office. (2014). European patent application EP2500000.
