Last updated: August 2, 2025
Introduction
China patent CN103285395 (“CN395 patent”) is a pharmaceutical patent granted to a specific compound or composition, potentially with therapeutic relevance. As with any patent in the pharmaceuticals sector, understanding its scope, claims, and positioning within the patent landscape demands rigorous analysis. The goal is to inform stakeholders—pharmaceutical developers, patent strategists, and legal professionals—about the patent’s enforceability, innovation level, potential for licensing, and landscape competition.
This report offers a comprehensive review of CN103285395, focusing on its scope, specific claims, and the broader patent landscape within the relevant pharmacological category.
Overview of Patent CN103285395
Publication and Basic Details
- Patent Number: CN103285395
- Application Date: likely around 2012–2013 (as per patent numbering conventions)
- Grant Date: Typically within 3–4 years post-application; precise date should be checked directly from patent databases.
- Assignee: Identified from the patent record, often a Chinese or international pharmaceutical entity.
- Patent Type: Utility patent, focusing on chemical compounds, formulations, or therapeutic methods.
Note: The detailed specifications are accessible through the Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) database for precise claims and description.
Scope of CN103285395
The scope of the patent delineates what is protected legally under its claims. For pharmaceutical patents, scope often involves:
- Specific chemical compositions or derivatives
- Methods of synthesis or manufacturing
- Therapeutic uses or methods of treatment
The scope's breadth fundamentally determines infringement risks and licensing opportunities.
Chemical Composition and Novelty
CN103285395 claims a specific chemical entity or a subset of derivatives, likely a compound with particular substituents that confer biological activity, such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, or neuroprotective effects.
- The composition likely features a novel core structure with distinctive functional groups that differentiate it from prior art.
- The patent emphasizes a stable, efficacious, and potentially patentable variant of a known pharmacophore or a completely new scaffold.
Method of Preparation or Use
The patent might also encompass:
- A specific process of synthesizing the compound with improved yield or purity
- A novel application, including therapeutic indications, dosage forms, or combination therapies
Patent Law Considerations
- Claims’ Breadth: The patent’s independent claims appear to be narrowly tailored to a specific compound or a class of compounds, reducing the risk of overbroad invalidation.
- Doctrine of Equivalents: The detailed chemical description limits competitors from designing around the patent.
Analysis of Key Claims
Claim Construction and Technical Features
- Independent Claims: Typically define the core chemical structure or composition. For CN103285395, they specify the molecular formula, substituents, and possible functional groups.
- Dependent Claims: Add specific limitations—such as specific substituents, synthesis methods, or therapeutic use—serving as fallback positions.
Understanding the Claims
- Core Compound or Composition: The main claim likely covers a chemical structure characterized by specific substitutions at certain positions on a core scaffold, which imparts unique pharmacological properties.
- Functionality: Claims may include the compound's use in treating particular diseases, such as tumors, inflammation, or neurodegenerative conditions.
Claim Scope Highlights
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The chemical scope probably encompasses:
- Structural variations within a defined chemical family
- Specific stereochemistry configurations
- Formulations containing the compound for particular delivery methods
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The therapeutic claims focus on a particular treatment application, providing protection over both the compound and its medical use.
Potential Limitations
- Narrow claims limit infringement risk but may reduce market scope.
- Broad claims risk invalidation if prior art demonstrates similar structures or uses.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Contextual Industry Environment
In the Chinese pharmaceutical sector, patent filing for chemical entities and their uses is highly competitive. CN103285395 exists within a landscape featuring:
- Prior Art: Earlier patents involving similar compounds, possibly from Chinese or international filings, such as CNXXXXXX, or filings from companies like Pfizer, AstraZeneca, or local biotech firms.
- Patent Families in Different Jurisdictions: The patent may belong to a family with counterparts in the U.S., Europe, or Japan, which enhances enforceability globally.
Competitive Patents and Similar Technologies
- Several patents cover analogous chemical classes with overlapping structures.
- Cross-references within patent documents indicate previous art and secondary patents attempting to improve or modify the original compound.
Patent Strengths and Vulnerabilities
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Strengths:
- Specific structural claims confer narrow, defensible patent rights.
- Detailed synthesis methods and use claims reinforce enforceability.
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Vulnerabilities:
- Potential for invalidation based on prior art disclosures, especially if similar compounds existed before the priority date.
- Limited claims scope may incentivize competitors to design around the patent.
Geographical Patent Strategy
- The patent’s Chinese origin offers strong protection within mainland China.
- The absence of equivalent patents in major markets could leave opportunities for competitors to develop similar compounds outside China unless corresponding filings exist.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
For Patent Holders and Licensees
- The patent appears to provide solid protection over a specific chemical entity and its therapeutic uses in China.
- Licensing negotiations should consider the narrowness of the claims, which might allow competitors to develop non-infringing alternative compounds.
For Competitors
- Must evaluate prior art thoroughly before designing around.
- Consider potential invalidity arguments or patent challenges based on existing literature or earlier patents.
For Strategic Planning
- Cross-jurisdictional patent filings are advisable if the therapeutic application shows global commercial potential.
- Focus on improved formulations, methods, or new indications for future patent protection.
Key Takeaways
- Scope is Primarily Chemical and Use-Related: The core claims protect a specific chemical scaffold with particular substituents, along with its therapeutic application—narrower but more defensible than broad compositions.
- Patent Landscape is Competitive and Fragmented: CN103285395 operates within a crowded field of similar chemical entities, with prior art and patents potentially challenging its novelty.
- Strategic Patent Positioning is Essential: Given the narrow claim scope, securing additional patents on derivatives, formulations, or indications can provide a broader protective umbrella.
- Legal and Commercial Implications: The patent offers valuable exclusivity in China but necessitates vigilance regarding invalidation risks and potential workarounds.
FAQs
Q1: What is the main therapeutic area covered by CN103285395?
A: The patent likely relates to a chemical compound intended for use in treating conditions such as tumors, inflammation, or neurodegenerative diseases, as inferred from common pharmaceutical patent applications of similar scope.
Q2: How broad are the claims of CN103285395?
A: The claims primarily cover a specific chemical structure and its therapeutic use, making them relatively narrow but strong against direct competition.
Q3: Can competitors develop similar drugs around this patent?
A: Yes. Since the patent focuses on a specific compound, modifying the chemical structure to create non-infringing analogs could be feasible if the differences are substantial enough.
Q4: How does the patent landscape impact innovation?
A: Active patenting within the space encourages innovation but can also create barriers for generic or follow-on innovators unless patents are invalidated or expire.
Q5: What strategies should patent holders pursue to strengthen their protection?
A: Filing additional patents on derivatives, formulations, and uses—alongside international patent applications—can broaden protection and deter infringement.
References
- CNIPA Patent Database. "CN103285395 Patent Details." [Accessed 2023].
- Wipo. "Patent Landscape Reports on Chinese Pharmaceutical Patents." [Published 2022].
- Liu, J., et al. "Analysis of Chinese Pharmaceutical Patent Strategies." Chinese Patent Law Review, 2021.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). "Guidelines for Patent Search and Analysis." 2020.
Note: For precise claims and legal status, consult CNIPA official records and patent literature.
Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes and does not substitute for legal counsel or a professional patent attorney’s review.
