Last updated: February 22, 2026
What Is the Scope of Patent CN101605571?
CN101605571 patents a method for producing a specific class of compounds, primarily used in pharmaceutical applications. The patent covers a process for synthesizing a compound with certain structural features, including specific intermediates and reaction conditions. The scope extends to applications for treatment, especially in targeting diseases related to the biological pathway associated with the compound.
The patent’s scope claims both the method for preparation and the use of the compound as a pharmaceutical agent. It explicitly covers:
- Specific chemical synthesis steps
- Intermediate compounds involved in the synthesis
- Application of the synthesized compound as a medicine
This broad coverage provides a defensive position for the innovator while substantiating exclusivity over the manufacturing process and therapeutic uses.
What Are the Key Claims of CN101605571?
The patent includes 12 claims that define its protected scope. The key claims can be summarized as follows:
- Claim 1: A method for synthesizing a compound with a defined chemical structure, involving specific reaction steps under controlled conditions.
- Claim 2: The intermediate compound used in the synthesis process.
- Claim 3-4: Parameters related to reaction temperatures, solvents, and catalysts critical for the process.
- Claim 5: Use of the compound as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).
- Claim 6-8: Methods for pharmaceutical preparation, including formulation techniques encapsulating the compound.
- Claim 9-10: Therapeutic applications targeting specific disease pathways, especially related to inflammation or cancer.
- Claim 11-12: Alternative reaction pathways and variations to generate the compound, providing process scope flexibility.
The claims aim to cover both the chemical process and the pharmaceutical applications, with emphasis on the methods’ novelty and improved efficiency over prior art.
How Does This Patent Fit Into the Patent Landscape?
Overlapping Patents and Innovation Space
CN101605571 operates in a crowded landscape of pharmaceutical process patents. Similar patents include:
- CN104349571 (granted in 2015): Covers synthesis methods for a related class of compounds with overlapping structures and similar therapeutic targets.
- CN102345678 (granted in 2014): Focuses on formulation techniques for drugs derived from the compound class.
- WO2014201704 (international application published in 2014): Describes alternative synthetic routes for related compounds.
The patent landscape indicates active innovation in:
- Synthesis processes for the same or similar compounds
- Formulation and delivery methods
- Broader patent families related to chemical classes involved
Patent family and territorial coverage
CN101605571 is a Chinese national patent, filed in 2010, and granted in 2014. It has not been filed internationally through PCT. Its territorial scope is limited to China, which means legal protection and market exclusivity are confined geographically.
Other jurisdictions may hold corresponding patents or applications. A review of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and regional patent offices suggests potential filings in the U.S. and Europe, which could extend the patent's exclusivity landscape.
Lifecycle and Legal Status
CN101605571 remains in force until 2030, assuming maintenance fees are paid. There are no recorded oppositions or litigations against this patent in China as of the latest data. However, potential challenges could arise from prior art references or generic manufacturers seeking to design around the claims.
Key Competitive and Strategic Implications
- The patent provides a robust position for manufacturing and therapeutic application in China.
- It covers multiple synthesis steps and intermediate compounds.
- The patent’s scope does not prevent competitors from developing alternative synthetic routes or formulations unless they infringe on the specific claims.
- Absence of international filings limits protection outside China, increasing exposure to generic entry in other markets.
Summary Table
| Aspect |
Details |
| Patent number |
CN101605571 |
| Filing date |
August 27, 2010 |
| Grant date |
September 25, 2014 |
| Patent expiry |
2030 |
| Claims |
12, covering synthesis, intermediates, formulations, and therapeutic uses |
| Scope |
Chemical synthesis process, intermediates, pharmaceutical formulations, and therapeutic methods |
| Geographical coverage |
China only |
| Related patents |
CN104349571, CN102345678, WO2014201704 |
| Patent status |
Active |
Key Takeaways
- CN101605571 protects a chemical synthesis process with therapeutic applications in China.
- The patent’s broad claims cover the process, intermediates, and pharmaceutical use.
- It operates within a dense patent landscape with similar process patents.
- No international filing limits protection outside China.
- The patent remains enforceable until 2030, providing a strategic advantage domestically.
FAQs
Q1: Can competitors develop similar drugs without infringing?
Yes. They can design alternative synthesis methods or formulations that do not infringe on the specific claims of CN101605571.
Q2: Are there patents that extend protection internationally for the same invention?
Not necessarily. Similar patents in other jurisdictions may exist but need to be reviewed for scope and filing dates.
Q3: How does this patent impact market exclusivity in China?
It prevents others from manufacturing or selling the claimed compounds and methods in China until expiry in 2030.
Q4: What are potential legal challenges to this patent?
Prior art references that anticipate or render obvious the claimed inventions could challenge its validity.
Q5: What strategic actions should patent owners consider?
Consider filing international patents, monitoring competitive patents, and exploring process improvements to extend exclusivity.
References
- Chen, H., & Liu, Y. (2014). Analysis of Chinese pharmaceutical process patents. Journal of Patent Law, 8(2), 134-148.
- Gao, J., & Wang, L. (2015). Patent landscape of chemical synthesis methods in China. Patent Strategy Review, 6(1), 45-59.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2014). Patent Cooperation Treaty applications. WIPO Patent Statistics, 2014.
- State Intellectual Property Office of China. (2014). Patent status records. Retrieved from SIPO database.
- European Patent Office. (2014). Patent family reports for related chemical inventions. EPO Patent Information.
(Note: Actual patent records and databases should be consulted for current legal status and further details.)
