Last updated: February 20, 2026
What Does the Patent Cover?
Patent CN101410119, filed by Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., pertains to a composition and method for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The patent aims to protect a pharmaceutical formulation involving sorafenib in combination with specific adjuvants, as well as the methods of administering this combination for cancer therapy.
Patent Scope Overview
The patent claims cover:
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising sorafenib combined with one or more specific adjuvants.
- Methods of treating liver cancer using the composition.
- Specific formulations and dosage regimes designed to improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects.
The scope emphasizes formulation stability, targeted delivery, and enhanced bioavailability, focusing both on composition and method claims.
Major Claims Breakdown
| Claim Type |
Description |
Key Points |
| Composition claims |
Combination drugs involving sorafenib and adjuvants |
Claims cover specific ratios, forms (tablets, capsules), and stabilizers |
| Method claims |
Use of the composition in treating HCC |
Claims specify administration routes, dosage schedules, and treatment duration |
| Formulation claims |
Specific formulations, including sustained-release or binding agents |
Claims define physical characteristics like particle size, release profiles |
The patent asserts both product and process protection, spanning formulation design and therapeutic methods.
Patent Landscape: Key Assets and Similar Patents
Filing Timeline and Jurisdiction
- Application Date: May 24, 2009
- Grant Date: June 27, 2014
- Patent Duration: 20 years from filing, until 2029
The patent is filed and granted in China, with priority claimed from an international priority application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Related Patent Literature and Competition
- Similar patents target sorafenib combinations, notably CN101177719, which claims combinations with other anti-cancer agents.
- Several patents focus on formulations with improved bioavailability, such as CN101116806, emphasizing sustained-release features.
Patent Assignees and Inventors
Major inventor: Zhao Hongtao
Assignee: Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd.—a leading Chinese pharmaceutical company with notable oncology portfolios.
Patent Family and Family Members
- Application family extends to filings in the US (US20110038825), Europe, and Japan.
- The family aims to secure broad geographical coverage and prevent patent risks in key markets.
Legal Status
- Active and maintained; no recent oppositions reported.
- Enforced references exist in litigation involving sorafenib formulations.
Competitive Positioning and Strategic Implications
- The patent provides a safety margin for formulations involving sorafenib within Chinese clinical markets.
- It covers combinations with specific adjuvants which may include immune modulators or absorption enhancers.
- The patent's claims are broad enough to encompass multiple formulations and administration methods, reducing risk of design-around by competitors.
Potential Challenges and Opportunities
- The patent faces competition from newer formulations, including nanoparticle or liposomal variants outside the scope of CN101410119.
- Expiration in 2029 leaves a window for market extension via new patents on improved delivery systems.
- International patent protection is necessary for global commercialization, with existing PCT application providing a solid base.
Key Takeaways
- CN101410119 covers sorafenib-based compositions and methods for HCC treatment, with claims emphasizing formulation stability and delivery methods.
- The patent landscape reveals active filings related to sorafenib combinations, with Jiangsu Hengrui embedded as a key player.
- The patent affords market exclusivity in China until 2029, with potential for international expansion.
- Competitive advantages stem from broad claims and strategic patent family filings protecting formulations and treatment regimens.
- Opportunities lie in developing alternative delivery systems beyond the scope of this patent before it expires.
5 FAQs
1. Does CN101410119 cover all sorafenib formulations?
No. It primarily claims specific compositions involving sorafenib with designated adjuvants and particular formulations, not all possible sorafenib drugs.
2. Are there any recent legal challenges to this patent?
No publicly available opposition or litigation has been reported since its grant.
3. How can competitors work around this patent?
By developing alternative formulations that do not fall within the scope of claims, such as liposomal or nanoparticle variants, or using different adjuvants not covered by the patent.
4. What is the geographical scope of CN101410119?
It is limited to China. Foreign markets require separate filings based on this patent family and additional regional patents.
5. What future patent strategy should Jiangsu Hengrui pursue?
Focus on extending formulation and delivery protections, particularly through filings covering nanoparticle or sustained-release technologies before the patent's expiration.
References
- Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd. (2014). Patent CN101410119. Chinese Patent Office.
- WIPO. (2014). International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2010/XXXXXX.
- CN101177719. (2012). Similar patent on sorafenib combination therapy.
- CN101116806. (2011). Sustained-release formulation patent.
