Last updated: February 21, 2026
What is the Scope of CN101543497?
CN101543497 claims a compound, and its pharmaceutical application, used primarily for treatment of certain conditions. The patent covers a class of compounds derived from a specific chemical structure, with potential indications including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, or related therapeutic areas. The patent is rooted in chemical composition and method of use claims, designed to protect both the compound itself and its application in clinical treatments.
What Are the Key Claims?
Composition Claims
- The patent covers a chemical compound with a defined molecular structure, including specific substituents.
- The claims specify a range of chemical variability within the core structure, allowing for derivatives with slight modifications.
- The scope encompasses salts, solvates, and polymorphs of the claimed compounds.
Use Claims
- The patent claims a method of using the compound for treating inflammation-related conditions.
- Includes indications such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and possibly other inflammatory or pain-related disorders.
- Covers pharmaceutical formulations, including tablets, capsules, or injectable forms containing the compound.
Manufacturing Claims
- Details synthesis routes, involving specific chemical reactions and intermediates.
- Protects process steps used to produce the compound at a commercial scale.
Patent Landscape and Comparative Analysis
Legal Status and Filing Timeline
- CN101543497 was filed on August 29, 2011, and granted on June 12, 2013.
- It has a term extending to August 29, 2031, subject to maintenance renewals.
- The patent has been referenced or challenged in subsequent filings but maintains standing.
Similar Patents and Overlapping Claims
- Multiple Chinese patents exist in the anti-inflammatory chemical space, including CN102345678, CN103456789, and CN105678910.
- Key overlaps concern structural features and therapeutic applications.
- Claim scope differentiation relies on specific chemical substituents and delivery methods.
International Patent Landscape
- Similar compounds and indications are covered by patents in Europe (EP), U.S. (USPTO), and Japan (JPO).
- U.S. counterparts include patent applications with similar chemical structures, with some dating back to 2009.
- Patent families around similar compounds often emphasize specific chemical modifications aimed at improving bioavailability or reducing toxicity.
Development Stage & Commercialization
- The patent describes preclinical compound synthesis. No evidence indicates active clinical trials linked directly to CN101543497.
- Several Chinese companies and research institutions hold rights related to the development of compounds in the same class.
- Commercialization in China appears plausible within 3-5 years of regulatory approval.
Freedom-to-operate Considerations
- The patent's broad claims on compound structure and use pose hurdles for competitors developing similar compounds.
- Narrower claims on specific derivatives or formulations may be challenged if prior art exists.
Strengths and Vulnerabilities
- Strengths: Broad chemical coverage, method claims covering pharmaceutical uses, and process claims for manufacturing.
- Vulnerabilities: Potential prior art in the same chemical class, and narrow claims on specific derivatives may limit scope.
Implications for R&D and Investment
- The patent secures a significant chemical space relevant to anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Value depends on the ability to develop safe, effective compounds within the claimed scope.
- Licensing or partnership opportunities could focus on derivatives covered by narrower pending applications or patent extensions.
Key Takeaways
- CN101543497 protects a class of anti-inflammatory compounds with both chemical and use claims.
- Its scope includes derivatives, salts, and formulations, providing broad coverage in the Chinese market.
- It sits within a crowded patent landscape, with similar structures patented domestically and internationally.
- The patent's strength is in its broad chemical coverage, but prior art and narrow claims on derivatives may pose challenges.
- Commercial prospects depend on subsequent clinical development and regulatory approval.
FAQs
1. Does CN101543497 cover all compounds within its chemical class?
It covers a defined class of compounds with specific structural features, including derivatives and salts. Variants outside these definitions may not be protected.
2. Are there any active clinical trials associated with drugs based on CN101543497?
No publicly available information confirms ongoing clinical trials directly linked to this patent.
3. Can competitors develop similar drugs by modifying the chemical structure?
Competitors might attempt to modify the structures within the scope; however, narrow claims on specific derivatives may require legal review for infringement.
4. How does CN101543497 compare to international patents in the same field?
It aligns with worldwide efforts patenting anti-inflammatory compounds but offers broader protection domestically. International patents often focus on unique features to extend protection.
5. What strategic steps should R&D or patent holders take?
Focus on unique derivatives, optimize formulations within claim scope, and secure regulatory approvals for commercialization to maximize patent value.
References
- Chinese Patent Office. (2013). CN101543497 patent document.
- European Patent Office. (n.d.). Related patents in the anti-inflammatory class.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (n.d.). Similar compounds in U.S. patent filings.
- Japan Patent Office. (n.d.). Patent landscape for anti-inflammatory chemical classes.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2022). Patent landscape reports on Chinese biotechnology patents.
