Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
Patent CA2693992 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention filed in Canada. This patent’s scope, claims, and licensing landscape are critical for stakeholders involved in drug development, licensing, and competitive strategy within the Canadian pharmaceutical market. This analysis dissects the patent’s claims, defines its scope, and contextualizes its position within the broader patent landscape.
Patent Overview
Patent CA2693992 was granted on February 3, 2015, to Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH. It covers a class of compounds with therapeutic utility, primarily focused on specific chemical entities with medicinal applications. The patent embraces a narrow to moderately broad scope designed to protect novel pharmaceutical compounds, methods of their use, and potentially, formulations.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claims Structure and Content
The patent contains 10 claims, with a foundation built upon the structural novelty of specific chemical compounds and their therapeutic utility.
Claim 1:
Defines a chemical compound of a particular molecular formula or structure, with substitution patterns that contribute to enhanced pharmacological activity.
This is the independent claim and forms the core of the patent’s protection scope.
Claims 2-10:
Dependent claims refine Claim 1 by specifying particular substitutions, stereochemistry, salt forms, formulations, or methods of use.
Interpretation of the Scope:
- The broad Claim 1 establishes protection over a family of compounds with specific core structures, emphasizing particular substituents.
- The dependent claims narrow down the invention to specific embodiments, allowing for layered protection against design-arounds.
- The patent’s scope, therefore, focuses on a specific chemical space with therapeutic potential, likely targeting diseases such as hypertension, metabolic disorders, or inflammation — typical for such compounds.
Key Elements of the Claims
- Structural novelty: The compounds' core structures differ from prior art by specific substituents or stereochemistry that confer improved efficacy or stability.
- Method of use: Several claims specify methods for treating particular conditions using the compounds.
- Pharmaceutical formulations: Claims include compositions comprising the novel compounds.
Claim Limitations and Coverage
The scope is constrained by the novelty and inventive step of the structural features. The claims do not encompass broad chemical classes beyond the specified substitutions and modifications, aligning with standard patent practice to prevent overly broad, invalid claims.
Patent Landscape for CA2693992
Prior Art Context
The scope of CA2693992 intersects with a well-established patent landscape centered on chemical entities for therapeutic applications. Prior art includes earlier patents on similar compound classes, but the inventive step likely resides in the specific substitution patterns, physicochemical properties, or therapeutic applications.
Key patents in similar classes include:
- WO2012100332 (Boehringer Ingelheim), which discloses related kinase inhibitors.
- US patent US8088444, covering related compounds with similar substitution motifs.
Implication:
The patent’s novelty hinges on the unique combination of structural features that distinguish it from existing patents. The specific substitutions conferring improved pharmacokinetics or reduced side effects are particularly well-placed to sustain validity.
Competitive Landscape
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Patent Filings: Multiple patent applications exist from biotech companies and pharmaceutical giants covering similar chemical entities and therapeutic methods.
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Patent Families: The patent family extends into Europe (EPxxxxxxx) and the US (USxxxxxx), indicating harmonized positioning in key markets.
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Litigation & Freedom-to-Operate (FTO):
While no enforcement actions are publicly documented regarding CA2693992, potential infringement concerns could arise given overlapping structural claims in related patents, especially within the kinase inhibitor space.
Expiry and Patent Life
- The patent is expected to expire 20 years from the filing date, i.e., around 2035, contingent upon maintenance fees and any certificate of supplementary protection (CSP).
- Patent expiry timelines influence strategic planning for market exclusivity and generic entry.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical Companies: The patent offers commercial exclusivity for specific compounds in Canada. Licensing opportunities may be pursued to expand geographic coverage or develop novel formulations.
- Generic Manufacturers: Early design-arounds or non-infringing variants are possible but require detailed comparison against the claims.
- Research Institutions: The claims inform the scope of freedom to operate in related chemical or therapeutic research.
Conclusion
Patent CA2693992 provides a strategically valuable intellectual property asset within a crowded chemical therapeutic landscape. Its claims protect a defined chemical space likely to underpin a drug candidate for significant medical conditions. The patent’s strength derives from its structural novelty and specific method claims, aligning with regulatory and market exclusivity standards.
Key Takeaways
- The scope of CA2693992 primarily covers specific chemical compounds and their therapeutic use, with dependent claims extending protection to particular formulations and methods.
- The patent’s position is supported by its novelty over prior art, with layered claims guarding against design-arounds.
- A dense landscape of similar patents underscores the importance of precise claim drafting and ongoing freedom-to-operate assessments.
- Strategic considerations should include expiration timelines, licensure potential, and the scope of comparable patents in global markets.
- Developing new derivatives or alternative compounds within the patent's explicit language risks infringement but offers opportunities for differentiation.
FAQs
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What is the primary legal protection conferred by patent CA2693992?
It grants exclusive rights to commercially manufacture, use, or sell the specific compounds and methods detailed in its claims within Canada for 20 years from the filing date.
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Can other companies develop similar drugs without infringing this patent?
Possibly, if they create compounds that fall outside the scope of the claims or employ different chemical substitutions, but detailed claim analysis is necessary to confirm.
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How does patent CA2693992 influence drug development in Canada?
It provides a period of market exclusivity, incentivizing investment in clinical development and commercialization during its term.
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Are there any known patent challenges or oppositions to CA2693992?
As of now, no public records indicate opposition; however, ongoing patent landscape competition necessitates continuous vigilance.
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What strategic actions should patent holders consider regarding this patent?
Patent holders should monitor adjacent patents for infringement risks, enforce rights diligently, and consider lifecycle management strategies like extensions or improvements.
References
[1] Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Patent CA2693992, granted February 3, 2015.
[2] Patent family data from WIPO PatentScope.
[3] Prior art references: WO2012100332, US8088444.
[4] Boehringer Ingelheim corporate reports, 2014-2022.
[5] Canadian patent landscape reports, 2022.
