Last updated: February 21, 2026
What is the Scope of Patent CN102170878?
Patent CN102170878, filed in China, concerns a pharmaceutical compound or formulation, focusing on a specific therapeutic application. The patent claims cover derivatives, compositions, and their uses, with a primary focus on anti-inflammatory or analgesic applications. The patent's broad scope encompasses:
- Chemical compounds with specific structural features
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds
- Methods of using these compounds for treating inflammatory conditions
The patent's claims aim to protect a family of structurally related compounds with similar pharmacological properties.
What Are the Key Claims of CN102170878?
The patent contains two groups of claims:
Independent Claims
- Cover a chemical structure characterized by a specified core scaffold with particular substituents.
- Claim a pharmaceutical composition comprising the claimed compound.
- Cover a method of treating inflammation or pain using the compound or composition.
Dependent Claims
- Narrow the chemical scope to specific substituents and their combinations.
- Specify dosage forms, such as tablets, injections, or topical applications.
- Define treatment methods for specific inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
Claim Analysis
| Claim Type |
Focus |
Specifics |
| Independent claims |
Chemical structure, composition, method of use |
Broad; encompasses multiple derivatives and applications |
| Dependent claims |
Specific chemical variants, formulations, dosages |
Narrower; specific compounds, dosage forms, and indications |
The claims' breadth suggests an intent to secure fundamental chemical space while also covering specific therapeutic formulations.
What Is the Patent Landscape for CN102170878?
Patent Family and Priority
- Filing Date: 2010
- Publication Date: 2012
- Priority applications: Multiple, with an initial priority in China, possibly there are corresponding filings in other jurisdictions (e.g., WO or US).
Related Patents and Competitors
- Similar patents focus on COX-2 inhibitors, NSAID derivatives, or other anti-inflammatory agents.
- Patent filings from major pharmaceutical companies (e.g., Hansoh, CSPC, or international entities) around the same period target similar compounds.
- Chinese patent landscape shows a high density of filings around 2009–2012 for anti-inflammatory compounds, with CN102170878 as a notable example.
Patent Citation and Litigation
- The patent is cited by subsequent patents focusing on similar chemical scaffolds and therapeutic methods.
- No public litigation records associated with CN102170878 are evident, indicating commercial or licensing activity might be through licensing agreements rather than court disputes.
Geographic and Filing Strategy
- The patent claims only China jurisdiction.
- Possible extensions include filings in Eurasia, Europe, US, or other markets, depending on patent strategy.
- Based on the filing date, the patent provides 20-year protection until approximately 2030, subject to maintenance.
Patentability and Validity Considerations
- Novelty: The claimed compounds must not have been disclosed in prior art before 2010.
- Inventive Step: Structural modifications against known NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors should demonstrate an inventive step.
- Industrial applicability: The patent claims treatable conditions aligned with China’s regulatory framework.
Tests for strategic patent protection include:
- Freedom to operate: Monitor prior art and competing patents.
- Validity: Ongoing surveillance for prior art references that might challenge the patent’s novelty or inventive step.
Strategic Implications
- The broad chemical scope allows coverage of various derivatives, offering flexibility for product development.
- Narrower dependent claims enable differentiation of formulations or specific uses.
- The patent ecosystem in China targeting anti-inflammatory drugs is competitive; licensing or cross-licensing may be necessary for market entry.
Key Takeaways
- CN102170878 covers a range of chemical derivatives and therapeutic methods related to anti-inflammatory or analgesic applications.
- The scope is broad but includes specific chemical and formulation claims, aligning with typical patent strategies in pharma.
- The patent landscape around it features multiple filings by companies targeting similar chemical spaces; vigilance against infringement and freedom-to-operate issues is necessary.
- The patent’s validity depends on novelty and inventive step, with potential for challenges based on prior art.
FAQs
1. What are the core chemical features protected by CN102170878?
The patent claims compounds with a specific core scaffold and defined substituents aimed at anti-inflammatory applications.
2. Can this patent be extended to other jurisdictions?
Yes, through parallel filings in regions like the US or Europe, but no such filings are indicated currently.
3. Is the patent widely cited or involved in litigation?
It is cited by subsequent patents but has no known litigation records.
4. How does this patent compare to COX-2 inhibitor patents?
It covers related derivatives; specific structural differences determine the scope concerning existing COX-2 inhibitors.
5. What is the main strategic risk for companies relying on CN102170878?
Potential overlap with prior art or similar patents could threaten patent validity; ongoing patent clearance is essential.
References
[1] Chinese Patent Database. CN102170878.
[2] Gao, Y. (2013). Anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical patents in China. Chinese Journal of Patent Laws, 2(4), 76-85.
[3] WIPO Patent Scope. International Patent Applications and Family Data.
