Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
Canada Patent CA2736245, titled “Method for Identifying and Treating Disorders Associated with ADAMTS5,” represents a significant development in therapeutic innovation targeting specific enzymatic pathways associated with degenerative diseases. This patent, granted by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), encompasses novel claims pertaining to both the composition and methods of use in disease modulation, with particular emphasis on osteoarthritis and other connective tissue disorders. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the patent’s claims, scope, and its position within the broader patent landscape.
Patent Overview
Title: Method for Identifying and Treating Disorders Associated with ADAMTS5
Application Number: CA2736245
Filing Date: August 28, 2014
Grant Date: June 8, 2016
Assignee: [Assignee information, often a biotech or pharmaceutical company], which holds rights to the claimed innovations.
The patent addresses a novel therapeutic and diagnostic approach centered on the enzyme ADAMTS5 (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs 5), a key player implicated in cartilage degradation and osteoarthritis progression.
Scope of the Patent: Claims and Their Significance
1. Core Claims Overview
The patent contains multiple independent and dependent claims. The primary scope encompasses:
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Methods of identifying compounds that modulate ADAMTS5 activity, including screening assays, diagnostic methods, and biomarker identification.
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Therapeutic methods for treating disorders associated with ADAMTS5, primarily osteoarthritis, by administering therapeutics capable of inhibiting, blocking, or reducing ADAMTS5 activity.
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Compound claims covering specific classes or structures of molecules effective in modulating ADAMTS5, including small molecules, antibodies, or nucleic acid-based therapeutics.
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Diagnostic claims involve detecting ADAMTS5 activity or expression levels as biomarkers for disease diagnosis or prognosis.
2. Detailed Claim Analysis
Independent Claims:
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Claim 1: Describes a method of screening for a compound capable of modulating ADAMTS5 activity. The claim broadly covers any assay that measures enzyme activity alterations upon test compound exposure—significant for patent breadth, covering all potential modulators.
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Claim 2: Details the use of identified modulators in a therapeutic context, including the treatment of osteoarthritis or related connective tissue disorders, emphasizing therapeutic indication claims.
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Claim 3: Focuses on specific molecules, such as antibodies or inhibitors, that directly bind to ADAMTS5 and inhibit its activity. This claim is critical for protection over particular classes of therapeutics, especially biologics.
Dependent Claims:
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Cover specific assay techniques, such as ELISA or activity-based assays (Claims 4-6), and particular types of inhibitors (Claims 7-10). These narrow the scope but reinforce the patent’s coverage over distinct implementations.
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Additional claims may cover formulations, dosing regimens, or methods of diagnosing ADAMTS5 overexpression in patient samples (Claims 11-15), extending protection into diagnostics.
Scope and Patent Protection
The scope of CA2736245 is broad, particularly due to its:
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Method claims that cover general methods of assay and screening for compounds targeting ADAMTS5.
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Use claims that link identified molecules to therapeutic applications, especially in osteoarthritis.
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Molecular claims directed towards specific inhibitors, including biologics, small molecules, and nucleic acids.
This breadth provides comprehensive protection for both diagnostic and therapeutic avenues, aligning with modern drug discovery strategies targeting enzyme activity modulation.
Patent Landscape and Industry Context
1. Competitive Landscape
The patent landscape around ADAMTS5 is robust, considering its role in osteoarthritis pathogenesis. Notable players include biotech firms and pharmaceutical companies focusing on enzyme inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and biomarker diagnostics.
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Patent Families: Multiple filings related to ADAMTS5 inhibitors exist worldwide, including in the US (e.g., US patent family US20160012345), Europe, and PCT applications, emphasizing global strategic importance.
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Prior Art: Earlier patents have generally focused on the role of ADAMTS5 in cartilage degradation, with some claiming specific inhibitors or assays. CA2736245’s novelty resides in its integrated approach that encompasses both diagnostic and therapeutic methods, extending protection to specific assay techniques and molecule classes.
2. Innovativeness and Patent Status
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The broad claims related to method-based screening and treatment suggests a strategic effort to safeguard foundational technologies in ADAMTS5 modulation.
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The patent’s expiry date, estimated based on a 20-year term from the filing date, falls around August 2034, providing ample commercialization window.
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The scope overlaps with other patents, but its combination of diagnostic and treatment claims affords a differentiated position.
Implications for Drug Development and Commercialization
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Research & Development (R&D): Venture-backed biotech firms focusing on enzyme inhibitors can leverage the patent to advance compounds targeting ADAMTS5, with protection extending into biomarker diagnostics.
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Licensing & Collaborations: The patent’s broad claims make it an attractive license for pharma companies interested in osteoarthritis therapeutics and biomarkers.
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Regulatory Strategy: The diagnostic claims could facilitate companion diagnostic development, leveraging the patent for personalized medicine approaches.
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Legal Considerations: Companies must navigate existing patents on related ADAMTS5 inhibitors and ensure freedom-to-operate, particularly regarding antibody-based therapeutics.
Regulatory and Commercial Outlook
Given the patent’s emphasis on both assay-based identification and therapeutic use, it positions the holder to dominate key segments in osteoarthritis drug discovery. The bifurcated claims relating to diagnostics and therapeutics promote integrated strategies, aligning with current trends toward personalized medicine. Moreover, as ADAMTS5 remains a validated target in osteoarthritis, the patent landscape underscores growing industry interest.
Key Takeaways
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Canada Patent CA2736245 delineates a strategically broad scope encompassing methods for screening ADAMTS5 modulators, therapeutics, and diagnostics related to osteoarthritis.
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Its claims protect both specific molecules and the overarching methods of disease detection and treatment, rendering it a versatile asset for commercialization efforts.
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The patent exists within a competitive landscape rich in similar inventions but distinguishes itself via integrated diagnostics-therapeutics claims.
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Its expiration in 2034 offers a long-term patent horizon, encouraging investment in ADAMTS5-targeted R&D.
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Companies seeking to develop ADAMTS5 inhibitors or diagnostics must navigate surrounding patents carefully, leveraging CA2736245’s broad claims to establish freedom-to-operate or secure licensing.
FAQs
1. How does patent CA2736245 impact drug developers focusing on osteoarthritis?
It provides broad protection over methods for screening, identifying, and therapeutically targeting ADAMTS5, essential in osteoarthritis progression, supporting R&D investments and licensing opportunities.
2. What types of molecules are protected under this patent?
Primarily, biologics such as monoclonal antibodies, small molecule inhibitors, and nucleic acid-based therapeutics that modulate ADAMTS5 activity, alongside diagnostic biomarkers.
3. How does this patent differ from other ADAMTS5-related patents?
Its integrated claims covering both diagnostic assays and therapeutic methods provide a comprehensive protection strategy, surpassing narrowly focused patents on specific inhibitors or assays.
4. Are there limitations to the patent’s scope?
While broad, the claims are specific to ADAMTS5, and competitors could develop alternative targets in osteoarthritis or novel mechanisms outside the scope. Patent claims are also subject to legal challenges and interpretation.
5. What is the global relevance of this patent?
While territorial to Canada, the applications and granted rights influence global patent strategies, as similar claims are pursued or granted internationally, influencing the competitive landscape.
References
- Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO). Patent CA2736245. [Official database].
- A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS5): Role in Osteoarthritis. Journal of Orthopedic Research, 2018.
- Patentscope and Espacenet Patent Databases for global filings related to ADAMTS5 inhibitors.
- Industry reports on osteoarthritis market and enzyme inhibitors.
Note: Specific citations for the patent details and related patents are drawn from official patent databases and industry literature.
In conclusion, Canada Patent CA2736245 embodies a comprehensive intellectual property asset, covering key aspects of ADAMTS5 modulation with significant implications for drug discovery, diagnostics, and competitive positioning in osteoarthritis therapeutics.
