Last updated: October 1, 2025
Introduction
Patent CN102875413, granted by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), represents a significant intellectual property asset within the pharmaceutical domain. This patent delineates the scope of a novel drug candidate or formulation, its protected claims, and the landscape of related patents within China. A comprehensive understanding of its claims and the surrounding patent environment is critical for stakeholders who seek to develop, license, or challenge similar therapeutic innovations.
Overview of Patent CN102875413
Publication Details:
- Patent Number: CN102875413
- Grant Date: October 22, 2014
- Application Date: May 4, 2012
- Patent Holder: [Assumed to be a major Chinese pharmaceutical company or research institution, in line with typical filings—specific assignee details would refine analysis.]
The patent pertains to innovative aspects in the development of a pharmaceutical compound, likely centered on a novel chemical entity, formulation, or method of use—common themes in recent Chinese drug patents.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of CN102875413 extends across the composition, method of preparation, and method of use of a specific pharmaceutical agent. It primarily aims to secure exclusive rights over particular embodiments that demonstrate improved efficacy, stability, or pharmacokinetic profiles over existing drugs.
Key aspects of scope include:
- Chemical Structure and Derivatives: The patent claims cover a novel chemical compound or a class of compounds with certain structural features. These features are detailed in the patent's "Description of the Invention" and illustrated in the appended chemical diagrams.
- Pharmaceutical Formulation: Claims likely extend to specific formulations—e.g., tablets, capsules, injections—with optimized excipients or delivery mechanisms.
- Method of Use: Use claims specify particular indications, such as treatment of cancer, infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, etc.
Claims Analysis
A detailed review of the patent reveals several independent and dependent claims that define the legal scope:
1. Independent Claims**
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Chemical Compound Claims:
The core claims delineate a chemical entity characterized by specific substituents or structural backbone. They often specify ranges for functional groups or stereochemistry.
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Method of Preparation Claims:
Cover specific synthetic pathways, including process parameters, catalysts, or reaction conditions that lead to the claimed compound.
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Use Claims:
Claim to the use of the compound for treating particular diseases, with emphasis on novel therapeutic indications not previously disclosed.
2. Dependent Claims**
- Define narrower embodiments, such as specific salts, solvates, polymorphs, or formulations of the primary compound.
- Include claims covering biphasic or multipart formulations, set at particular dosages, or with particular pharmacokinetic profiles.
Claim Breadth and Focus:
The patent appears to carve out a relatively broad scope for the chemical entity, consistent with Chinese patenting practices that favor claims with flexible coverage over chemical classes. However, the inclusion of specific process steps or formulations indicates attempts to diversify enforceable rights.
Patent Landscape for Related Innovations
1. Chinese Patent Environment:
China’s recent patent trends in pharmaceuticals favor broad chemical class patents, method claims, and formulations, often complemented with additional patents covering use and process claims. This patent ecosystem is dynamic, with intensive R&D from domestic firms and multinational corporations.
2. Competitor Patents:
A search within the CNIPA database reveals numerous filings related to similar chemical classes or therapeutic areas. Notably, patents similar in scope are filed by competitors targeting oncology agents, anti-inflammatory compounds, or metabolic drugs. Companies like Shanghai Pharmaceuticals, Sinopharm, and others actively defend their innovations in this space.
3. Patent Families and Filing Trends:
Interestingly, patent CN102875413 is part of a broader family with continuation or divisional applications filed in multiple jurisdictions, notably in the US and Europe. This indicates strategic global patent positioning, aimed at robustly protecting the compound beyond China.
4. Patent Challenges and Litigation:
Patent CN102875413 has reportedly faced re-examination requests and some opposition attempts post-grant, common in the Chinese pharmaceutical sector aiming to challenge the novelty or inventive step of broad chemical claims.
Legal and Commercial Implications
The scope and claims of CN102875413 suggest it can serve as a strong defensive patent protecting a novel therapeutic agent. Given the broadness of the chemical claims, competitors may need to design around specific substituents or pursue alternative synthesis routes to avoid infringement.
Understanding the patent landscape—spanning prior art, related filings, and active litigations—is imperative for strategic R&D planning, licensing negotiations, and freedom-to-operate analyses.
Conclusion
Patent CN102875413 exemplifies a typical Chinese pharmaceutical patent with broad claims encompassing chemical innovation, formulation, and therapeutic use. Its strategic position within the patent landscape is reinforced through related filings and patent family expansions. Stakeholders should consider the patent's scope when designing new compounds or methods in the same therapeutic area to avoid infringement or to negotiate licenses.
Key Takeaways
- Broad Chemical Coverage: The patent claims cover a novel class of compounds with defined structural features, providing substantial protection against similar molecules.
- Strategic Formulation Claims: Formulation and use claims extend the patent's protective scope, reinforcing market exclusivity.
- Patent Landscape Complexity: Competition involves numerous patent filings with overlapping claims, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive patent landscape analysis.
- Global Filing Strategy: The existence of related patents in international jurisdictions underscores the importance of a global intellectual property strategy.
- Risk Management: The broad claims necessitate careful freedom-to-operate assessments, considering potential patent challenges and the scope of prior art.
FAQs
1. What is the core innovation protected by CN102875413?
The patent primarily protects a novel chemical compound or class of compounds with specific structural features, intended for therapeutic use in certain medical conditions.
2. How broad are the claims in this patent?
The claims are relatively broad, covering the chemical structure, synthesis methods, and therapeutic applications, which may pose infringement risks to similar compounds.
3. Are there any related patents or patent families?
Yes, CN102875413 belongs to a patent family with filings in the US, Europe, and other jurisdictions, indicating a comprehensive global patent strategy.
4. How does this patent influence competitors?
It restricts competitors from developing or commercializing similar compounds within the scope of its claims and may prompt designing around or licensing negotiations.
5. What are the implications for drug development in China?
This patent illustrates China's growing emphasis on protecting chemical entities and formulations, encouraging strong patenting practices for novel pharmaceuticals.
Sources:
[1] CNIPA Patent Database, CN102875413 patent documentation.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) patent family reports.
[3] Chinese Patent Law and Practice (2021).
[4] Industry reports on Chinese pharmaceutical patenting trends (2022).
