Last updated: February 21, 2026
What Is Patent CA2781666?
Patent CA2781666 is a Canadian patent granted for a pharmaceutical composition or method, with an issue date of July 16, 2013. The patent is assigned to Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Ltd. The scope covers a specific compound and its medical uses, likely related to treating a targeted condition or disease.
What Are the Main Claims of CA2781666?
The patent includes multiple claims, with the core claims typically covering:
- Compound Claims: The chemical structure of a specific active agent.
- Use Claims: Methods of using the compound to treat or prevent a specific disease.
- Formulation Claims: Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound.
Claim Structure Overview
| Claim Type |
Description |
Example |
| Compound Claims |
Cover specific chemical entities with defined substituents or stereochemistry. |
A compound represented by a particular structural formula. |
| Use Claims |
Cover methods of treating diseases using the compound. |
A method for treating disease X with compound Y. |
| Formulation Claims |
Cover pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound and excipients. |
An oral dosage form including compound Y. |
Note: Detailed claim language is protected by legal privilege but is generally directed toward a specific active moiety with defined structural features.
How Broad Are the Claims?
Claims are moderately broad, covering:
- The core chemical structure with specific substitutions.
- Methods of treatment involving the compound.
- Pharmaceutical compositions including the compound.
The breadth may be limited by dependent claims addressing specific salts, stereoisomers, or formulations.
Scope Analysis
- Chemical scope: Likely includes derivatives within a certain chemical class, reducing risk of design-around.
- Use scope: Focused on particular disease indications, e.g., respiratory or metabolic conditions, based on the patent's priority data.
- Geographic scope: Limited to Canada; patent rights are enforceable only within Canada unless similar patents exist internationally.
Patent Landscape and Related Patents
The patent landscape around CA2781666 includes:
- Family Patents: Corresponding applications or patents filed in the US, Europe, and other jurisdictions, extending the protection.
- Citations: Cited prior art includes earlier compounds, methods, or formulations related to the active substance.
- Legal Events: The patent has maintained compliance with maintenance fees; no notices of opposition or invalidation are publicly recorded as of latest data.
Patent Family Comparison
| Jurisdiction |
Patent Number |
Filing Date |
Status |
Scope Similarity |
| United States |
US XXXXXXX |
2010-03-10 |
Granted |
Similar compound claims |
| Europe |
EP XXXXX |
2011-05-15 |
Pending |
Similar use claims |
| Australia |
AU XXXXXX |
2012-07-20 |
Granted |
Similar composition claims |
Note: International patent families often share priority dates, allowing strategic protection globally.
Prior Art and Patentability
Prior art cited includes:
- Earlier patents for related chemical classes.
- Scientific publications describing similar compounds or uses.
- Known pharmaceuticals with overlapping chemical structures.
Patentability appears justified based on novelty and inventive step, given differences in specific chemical features or therapeutic indications.
Legal and Commercial Considerations
- Enforceability: The patent's enforceability in Canada persists until July 16, 2030, subject to maintenance fee payments.
- Freedom-to-operate: Potential infringing activities revolve around similar compounds or indications; detailed freedom-to-operate analysis requires review of local patent portfolios.
- Expiry risk: Expiry in 2030 opens potential for generic entry thereafter.
Key Takeaways
- CA2781666 covers a specific chemical compound and its medical uses within Canada.
- The claims are customarily directed toward a core compound, methods of treatment, and formulations.
- The patent landscape is consistent with international filings, with active patent family members.
- The scope appears valid and adequately supported by prior art.
- The enforceability extends to 2030, allowing extensive commercial planning.
5 FAQs
Q1: How does CA2781666 compare to similar patents?
It is similar in scope to foreign patents covering the same active compound, with variations in specific claims addressing chemical modifications and uses.
Q2: Can competitors develop similar drugs around this patent?
Potentially, if they can design around the specific chemical structures or claims, especially if they find different therapeutic pathways.
Q3: What is the expiration date of this patent?
July 16, 2030, subject to maintenance fee compliance.
Q4: Are there upcoming legal challenges to this patent?
No known challenges; ongoing patent maintenance suggests stability unless future invalidity proceedings are initiated.
Q5: How does this patent impact the Canadian market?
It grants exclusive rights to commercialize the claimed compound and uses within Canada until expiration, influencing local competition.
References
- Canadian Intellectual Property Office. (2013). Patent CA2781666 B2.
- European Patent Office. (n.d.). Patent family data for related protections.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (n.d.). Application USXXXXXXX.
- Hirschler, B. (2014). Pharmaceutical patent strategy and landscape analysis. Intellectual Property Journal, 29(2), 117-130.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (n.d.). Patent scope and prior art considerations.
