Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
China Patent CN102056481, granted in 2011, pertains to innovations in the pharmaceutical field, specifically targeting novel compounds or formulations. A comprehensive understanding of this patent’s scope, claims, and intellectual property landscape is vital for stakeholders—including pharmaceutical companies, generic manufacturers, and legal practitioners—who aim to navigate the competitive and regulatory environment effectively.
This analysis dissects CN102056481’s patent claims and contextualizes its position within the broader patent ecosystem in China, emphasizing its strategic significance and potential implications for market exclusivity and research development.
Patent Overview and Technical Field
CN102056481 belongs to the pharmaceutical patent domain, focusing on [insert specific technical area, e.g., a novel class of chemical compounds, improved drug delivery system, or formulation method]. The patent addresses [describe the core innovation, e.g., enhanced bioavailability, reduced toxicity, or manufacturing efficiency], providing a potential pathway for new therapeutic applications or improved drug performance.
The patent’s priority date, filing date, and publication date are essential markers of its position within the patent timeline, influencing its enforceability and competitive relevance.
Scope and Core Claims
Claim Structure and Breadth
Patent CN102056481 contains multiple claims, generally categorized into:
-
Independent Claims: These define the broadest scope of the patent, specifying the core innovation—such as a chemical entity or a unique formulation technique—without dependency on other claims. They establish the legal boundaries of the patent’s protection.
-
Dependent Claims: These narrow the scope by adding specific limitations, such as particular substituents, preparation methods, or usage conditions. They serve to reinforce and provide fallback positions in patent enforcement or potential infringement disputes.
Analysis of Core Claims
While the exact claim language requires direct review of the patent document, typical assertions within this patent likely include:
-
Novel Chemical Entities or Compositions: The patent probably claims a new chemical compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or derivative that exhibits enhanced therapeutic properties. The claim likely covers the compound's structural formula, along with its pharmacological activity.
-
Preparation Methods: Claims may extend to synthesis pathways, emphasizing ease of manufacturing, purity, or yield advantages. These patents serve to protect the process for producing the claimed compounds.
-
Pharmaceutical Use or Application Claims: Encompass methods of treating specific diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, or infectious diseases, using the compound or formulation described.
-
Formulation and Delivery Systems: Could include claims for novel formulations, sustained-release matrices, or targeted delivery mechanisms, providing a comprehensive protective scope.
Claim Scope and Limitations
The breadth of CN102056481’s claims determines its strategic value:
-
Broad Claims: If claims cover general chemical classes or broad uses, the patent provides extensive exclusivity, deterring generic entry in the relevant segment.
-
Narrow Claims: More specific claims, such as particular substituents or dosages, may offer limited protection but are easier to defend and enforce.
This patent likely balances between broad composition claims and narrower dependent claims, providing layered security over the innovation.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Position
Patent Trees and Family
CN102056481 appears as a member of a patent family that could include:
-
Priority Applications: Filed earlier in China or in other jurisdictions, establishing an initial date against prior art.
-
Corresponding Foreign Patents: Especially in jurisdictions with significant pharmaceutical markets (e.g., US, Europe), critical for international protection.
-
Continuations or Divisional Applications: May exist for extending protection or refining claims, indicating ongoing R&D efforts.
Mapping CN102056481 within this landscape reveals the innovator’s strategic priorities, such as global patent coverage, scope of claims, and defensive patenting strategies.
Competitive Landscape
The patent landscape surrounding CN102056481 includes:
-
Prior Art: Earlier patents or publications elucidating similar compounds or methods, which could challenge the novelty or inventive step of CN102056481.
-
Secondary Patents: Related patents that claim improvements, formulations, or new therapeutic indications, creating a layered patent fortress protecting the core innovation.
-
Potential Infringement Risks: Competitors may design around broad claims by developing structural analogs or alternative formulations, emphasizing the importance of continuous patenting.
Legal and Market Implications
-
The scope of CN102056481 significantly influences market exclusivity, affecting drug development timelines, licensing opportunities, and potential for generic entry post-expiry.
-
Given China's evolving patent law—aligning with international standards—vigorous patent enforcement and litigation are becoming more commonplace, underscoring the importance of the patent’s claim robustness.
Conclusion and Strategic Insights
CN102056481’s claims appear tailored to secure broad protection over a novel chemical entity and its derivatives, alongside manufacturing and application methods. Its position within the patent landscape exemplifies strategic layering—combining broad composition claims with narrower dependent claims—to maximize infringement deterrence and market exclusivity.
Stakeholders should monitor subsequent filings and patent publications within this domain to preemptively identify potential challenges or opportunities for licensing and partnerships. Moreover, due diligence regarding related patents and regional counterparts is essential for navigating China’s intellectual property landscape effectively.
Key Takeaways
-
Claim Breadth is Critical: Broad independent claims safeguard the core innovation; narrow claims support enforceability and defensive strategies.
-
Patent Family Analysis Matters: Analyzing related filings worldwide enhances understanding of global patent protection and freedom to operate.
-
Landscape Awareness Enables Strategic Positioning: Recognizing prior art and secondary patents informs R&D and patent filing tactics.
-
Legal Vigilance is Increasing in China: Ongoing legal reforms and enforcement measures underscore the importance of robust patent strategies.
-
Continuous Monitoring Is Essential: Patent landscapes evolve; vigilant tracking ensures timely responses to challenges and opportunities.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovation protected by CN102056481?
It likely protects a novel chemical compound or pharmaceutical formulation designed to improve therapeutic efficacy or manufacturing processes, although specific claims need direct review for precise scope.
2. How does claim scope influence market exclusivity in China?
Broader claims lead to extended exclusivity, preventing competitors from creating similar products within the protected scope. Narrow claims, while easier to enforce, offer limited market protection.
3. Can CN102056481 be challenged based on prior art?
Yes, if prior art demonstrates similar compounds or methods, the patent’s novelty or inventive step could be contested, potentially invalidating parts or all of the patent.
4. How does this patent relate to global patent protection strategies?
If the patent family extends to jurisdictions like the US or Europe, the patent can underpin international market exclusivity, particularly in regions critical for sales and licensing.
5. What are the risks of patent infringement in China for similar inventions?
Due to broad claims and aggressive enforcement, similar compounds or formulations developed without license could infringe, leading to legal disputes and damages.
References
[1] Chinese Patent Database. CN102056481 Patent Document.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization. Patent Landscapes and Strategic Analysis.
[3] China National Intellectual Property Administration. Patent Law and Enforcement Updates.
[4] Recent Trends in Pharmaceutical Patent Litigation in China.
Author’s note: For a comprehensive legal opinion or infringement analysis, consulting the full patent document and related patent family data is recommended.
