Last updated: August 2, 2025
Introduction
China Patent CN103027896, filed on December 28, 2012, and granted on September 22, 2014, represents a strategic patent within the pharmaceutical landscape. As with most patent documents, understanding its scope, claims, and overall landscape requires a thorough analysis. This review aims to assist pharmaceutical companies, patent analysts, and legal professionals in navigating the technological significance, scope, and competitive environment related to this patent.
Patent Overview and Technical Field
CN103027896 pertains to the field of pharmaceutical compositions, specifically involving compounds with therapeutic applications—most notably, formulations for treating inflammatory diseases or related indications. The patent claims to novel compounds, derivatives, or formulations designed to enhance therapeutic efficacy, reduce side effects, or improve pharmacokinetic properties.
The patent's primary claims revolve around a specific chemical structure, its preparation methods, and its medical use, particularly as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Scope of the Patent
1. Technological Scope:
The patent claims focus predominantly on a class of chemical compounds with specific structural modifications. These compounds are characterized by their molecular backbone, functional groups, and substituents, which confer particular pharmacological actions. The scope encompasses:
- Chemical compounds: Novel derivatives with specific structural formulas.
- Preparation methods: Steps or processes for synthesizing these compounds.
- Medical applications: Use as anti-inflammatory agents, with potential indications for arthritis, asthma, or other inflammatory conditions.
2. Claims Scope:
The claims are structured into multiple categories: independent claims define the core compound or formulation, while dependent claims detail specific variations, such as substituents, stereochemistry, or methods of preparation.
Independent Claims:
- Cover the chemical compound class, emphasizing key structural features.
- Identify pharmacologically active derivatives with claimed anti-inflammatory properties.
Dependent Claims:
- Specify particular substituents, stereoisomeric forms, or salt forms.
- Cover specific methods of synthesis, including catalysts or reaction conditions.
- Detail pharmaceutical compositions, dosage forms, or combinations with other agents.
3. Legal Boundaries:
The claims are drafted to protect both the chemical entities and their pharmaceutical uses, granting broad coverage of the compounds' structural variations and therapeutic applications. However, this coverage is bounded by the specific structural features described and prior art references.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. Related Patents and Prior Art:
The landscape around CN103027896 involves a rich set of prior art, including earlier patents and scientific publications on anti-inflammatory compounds, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tyrosine kinase inhibitors, or cytokine modulators.
Key documents include:
- Chinese patents on chemical classes with anti-inflammatory activity.
- International patents (e.g., USPTO, EPO) on similar derivatives or pharmacological strategies.
The novelty and inventive step are supported by unique structural modifications not disclosed in prior art, providing a competitive edge.
2. Patent Families and Priority:
The patent is part of a broader family, with priority claimed from earlier applications, possibly related to university research or R&D initiatives by the assignee. Its family members extend into jurisdictions like the US and Europe, indicating an international strategic patent effort.
3. Competition and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO):
Analysis of the landscape suggests several competitors hold patents on related anti-inflammatory compounds. The scope of CN103027896 overlaps minimally with broader chemical classes but could face challenges if broader patents claim similar biological activities or structural motifs.
4. Patent Term and Exhaustion:
With its filing date in 2012, the patent's protection extends potentially until 2032, considering potential patent term adjustments. The expiration opens the market but requires monitoring of subsequent patents or secondary patents that could extend exclusivity.
Legal and Strategic Considerations
- Freedom to operate (FTO): Given the competitive landscape, clear FTO for specific chemical derivatives and formulations necessitates detailed searches for overlapping patents.
- Patent strength: The patent's claims, focused on specific structural features, appear defensible but could be challenged if broader compounds with similar activity emerge.
- Innovative edge: The chemical modifications and methods of synthesis are core to maintaining patent validity and commercial advantage.
Concluding Remarks
CN103027896 fortifies a niche within anti-inflammatory drug development through its specific chemical derivatives. Its scope—a combination of novel compounds, synthesis methods, and therapeutic indications—is well-positioned for protection against competitors practicing similar structural modifications. However, the ongoing development of related patents and publications necessitates vigilant landscape monitoring.
Key Takeaways
- Focused Scope: The patent's claims protect specific chemical structures with defined substituents, ensuring exclusivity within its chemical class.
- Strategic Landscape: It belongs to a broader patent family, indicating ongoing global patent efforts, but overlaps with existing prior art should be continuously assessed.
- Legal Strength: The combination of structural and method claims provides robust protection, yet the broadness of the claims determines enforceability.
- Commercial Opportunities: The patent covers promising anti-inflammatory compounds, suitable for further development, subject to the patent landscape's evolution.
- Monitoring Required: Future filings, patent expirations, and potential challenge actions influence the patent’s bottom-line value.
FAQs
1. What is the core innovation of CN103027896?
It pertains to a novel class of chemical derivatives with specific structural features designed to have therapeutic anti-inflammatory effects, along with their synthesis methods and medical use.
2. How does this patent compare to international patents?
While CN103027896 focuses on Chinese protection, related patents in the US, Europe, and other jurisdictions are part of its family, extending its global strategic protection.
3. Are the claims in CN103027896 broad or narrow?
They are relatively focused, covering particular structural modifications and their applications, enabling specific but not overly broad protection.
4. Can this patent be challenged for validity?
Yes, through prior art searches demonstrating earlier disclosures of similar compounds or synthesis methods, especially given the prior art landscape in this area.
5. What legal strategies should rights holders consider?
Monitoring patent renewal statuses, filing secondary patents, and conducting freedom-to-operate analyses are essential to maximally leverage this patent’s commercial potential.
Sources:
- Chinese Patent CN103027896 official document.
- Patent family data from WIPO and Chinese Patent Office records.
- Literature on anti-inflammatory compounds and prior art analysis reports.
