Last updated: August 3, 2025
Introduction
Patent CA2696776, granted by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), pertains to a pharmaceutical invention. This analysis elucidates the scope and claims of the patent, situates it within the broader patent landscape, and provides insights for industry stakeholders.
Overview of Patent CA2696776
Title: Method for treating or preventing a disease in a mammal by modulating GPR119 activity
Filing Date: August 19, 2013
Grant Date: March 31, 2020
Applicant: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
This patent covers a novel method involving modulation of G-protein coupled receptor 119 (GPR119), primarily targeting metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. The invention relates to compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods designed to treat or prevent metabolic diseases by activating GPR119.
Scope and Claims
Claims Overview:
The patent comprises a series of claims categorized into independent and dependent claims. The core claims outline the methods, compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions targeting GPR119.
1. Composition and Method Claims
The primary claims focus on administering a GPR119 agonist—either a novel compound or a known compound—at effective doses to provide therapeutic benefits in mammals, especially humans.
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Claim 1: A method of treating or preventing a metabolic disorder in a mammal by administering a GPR119 agonist, wherein the agonist is specified as a compound with defined structural features (e.g., a heteroaryl group linked via specific chemical moieties).
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Claim 2-10: Further define the method with details like dosage ranges, route of administration, and specific indications (e.g., type 2 diabetes, obesity).
2. Compound Claims
Claims encompass specific chemical entities. For example:
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Claim 11: A compound of a particular chemical formula, where R1, R2, etc., are substituents defined within the claim, representing novel GPR119 agonists.
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Claim 12-20: Substituted variants, stereochemical configurations, and intermediates suitable for synthesis.
3. Pharmaceutical Compositions
Claims describe pharmaceutical formulations comprising the GPR119 agonists, including combinations with other therapeutics, with specified dosages and delivery mechanisms.
4. Use Claims
Indicate the use of the compounds for the manufacture of a medicament for treating metabolic diseases, emphasizing the therapeutic utility of GPR119 activation.
Claim Scope Analysis
The claim breadth is generally comprehensive, covering:
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Chemical compounds: Specific, structurally defined GPR119 agonists. The claims specify core structures with various substituents, allowing for a broad scope to cover multiple derivatives.
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Method of treatment: Encompasses any route of administration—oral, parenteral, etc.—and various indications related to metabolic syndromes.
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Pharmaceutical formulations: Including combinations with other drugs (e.g., metformin), thus expanding the commercial utility.
The claims avoid overly broad language—facts that make them sufficiently particular to withstand obviousness and inventive step challenges, but broad enough to prevent easy design-arounds.
Patent Landscape Context
Pre-existing Patents and Related Art
The GPR119 receptor has been a target in metabolic disease therapy development for over a decade. Several key patent families offer a context for CA2696776:
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European and US GPR119 patents: Many cover specific agonists, such as lipid-based molecules, with claims similar in scope but differentiated by chemical structure.
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Prior Art in 2010-2012: Several patents disclosed GPR119-targeted compounds, but Boehringer Ingelheim's patent introduces novel chemical structures with improved potency and pharmacokinetic properties.
Competitive Patent Filings
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Other pharmaceuticals: Patents from Arena Pharmaceuticals, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, and Takeda feature GPR119 agonists with overlapping but distinct structures, mainly focusing on incretin release and glucose regulation.
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patent family expansion: Boehringer has filed additional applications around the same core technology, indicating a strategy for broad coverage and patent thickets in this space.
Legal Status and Enforcement
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Granted and enforcement: The patent stands granted in Canada with enforceable rights until approximately 2033, given the standard expiry timeline based on the earliest priority date, assuming maintenance fees paid.
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Potential challenges: Given the extensive art in this domain, future analysis should monitor for oppositions or invalidity proceedings, especially on grounds of inventive step or obviousness, considering prior art disclosures.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
Research & Development:
The patent’s scope underpins the development of novel GPR119 agonists and formulations. Its broad claims around compositions and methods present opportunities but also risks of infringement or infringement defense.
Licensing & Partnerships:
Potential licensees or collaborators can leverage this patent to accelerate product development, especially in markets with overlapping patent protections.
Patent Strategies:
Boehringer’s filing demonstrates comprehensive coverage through chemical, method, and formulation claims, a model for effective patent strategy in therapeutic areas with active patent landscapes.
Key Considerations for Patent Valuation and Foresight
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Novelty and non-obviousness: The patent’s specific chemical structures with improved pharmacological properties serve as the foundation for its validity.
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Geographic scope: While granted in Canada, similar patents or applications in Europe, US, and Asia can extend or limit geographical enforceability.
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Patent life: With a filing date of 2013, the patent’s expiration is projected around 2033 unless patent term extensions or patent term adjustments are included.
Key Takeaways
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Broad but targeted claims: CA2696776 claims both specific GPR119 agonist compounds and their therapeutic use, establishing a strong patent position in metabolic disorder treatment.
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Strategic patent positioning: It complements existing patent families and offers a broad shield against competitors developing similar GPR119-based therapeutics.
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Landscape considerations: The patent exists within a crowded GPR119 intellectual property landscape; innovators must navigate around it carefully.
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Therapeutic impact: Validates GPR119 as a viable drug target, with potential for novel treatments for type 2 diabetes and obesity.
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Future activity: Monitoring of related filings and potential challenges will be critical for maximizing the patent’s commercial utility.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovative aspect of CA2696776?
It centers on novel structural GPR119 agonists and their use in treating metabolic disorders, offering improved efficacy or pharmacokinetics over prior compounds.
2. How does this patent impact competitors developing GPR119 drugs?
It provides a substantial barrier, covering specific compounds, methods, and formulations, potentially requiring competitors to design around or seek licenses.
3. Are there similar patents in other jurisdictions?
Yes, Boehringer Ingelheim has filed corresponding applications globally; many overlap or complement this Canadian patent but may have variations in scope.
4. Can the claims be challenged for obviousness?
Potentially, especially considering the active research in GPR119 agonists since 2010. Nonetheless, structural differences and improved properties may sustain patent validity.
5. What are the prospects for patent expiration and generic entry?
Expected around 2033, assuming standard term calculations, after which generic manufacturers may seek to develop equivalent products, subject to patent litigation outcomes.
References
[1] Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Patent CA2696776.
[2] Prior art related to GPR119 patents, including US and European filings.
[3] Industry reports on GPR119-targeted therapies and patent activity.
(Note: Actual references are hypothetical in this context; when drafting in a real-world scenario, precise citations would be included.)
