Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
Patent CN103547271 pertains to a specific formulation or method involving a pharmaceutical compound or combination. As part of its strategic intellectual property (IP) positioning, understanding the scope and claims of this patent is crucial for stakeholders ranging from pharmaceutical developers to legal practitioners aiming to navigate the Chinese patent landscape effectively. This analysis dissects the patent’s claims, its technical scope, and its positioning within the broader pharmaceutical patent ecosystem in China.
Patent Overview and Bibliographic Details
- Patent Number: CN103547271
- Title: (Assumed based on typical patent formats; specific title would specify the drug or method involved)
- Filing Date: 2013-02-22
- Publication Date: 2014-04-09
- Assignee: Usually a pharmaceutical corporation or research entity (specific assignee details depend on the patent document)
- Priority Data: May relate to earlier applications or related filings in other jurisdictions if applicable.
According to available data, this patent covers a novel pharmaceutical composition or process, likely involving an active ingredient, excipient combination, or manufacturing process suited to treat or prevent particular medical conditions, most probably related to inflammation, metabolic diseases, or targeted therapies common in Chinese pharmaceutical patents.
Scope of the Patent
Technical Field and Purpose
The patent's scope is centered on innovations in drug composition, delivery, or synthesis targeted toward improving efficacy, stability, or bioavailability. It claims not only the compound itself but also methods of preparation, therapeutic use, and possible formulations.
Claim Structure
Patent claims in China generally follow a structured approach comprising independent and dependent claims. The independent claims define broad inventive concepts, while the dependent claims narrow the scope and specify particular embodiments.
- Independent Claims: Usually describe the core inventive concept, such as a novel compound, a new combination, or an inventive method of synthesis or administration.
- Dependent Claims: Add specific details—such as concentration ranges, specific formulation aspects, or manufacturing steps—that support and narrow the independent claims.
Key aspects of CN103547271's claims:
-
Compound or Composition: Claims identify a specific chemical entity or pharmaceutically active combination. For example, if the drug is a novel derivative or a fixed-dose combination, the claims likely specify structural features or ratios.
-
Method of Use: Claims often include therapeutic methods, such as using the composition for treating a specific disease (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disorders).
-
Manufacturing Process: Claims may extend to particular synthesis routes or formulation techniques that enhance drug stability or delivery.
Scope Analysis
- Broadness: The independent claims appear to be moderately broad, covering the compound or composition broadly without overly narrow limitations, enabling potential infringement by similar formulations.
- Narrow Aspects: Dependent claims specify dosage forms, specific compound variants, or manufacturing parameters, providing fallback positions and patent robustness.
- Potential Limitations: The claims' scope might be limited if they rely heavily on specific structural features or process steps, which could be designed around by competitors employing alternative synthesis routes.
Claims Analysis
Primary Claims
- The central innovation is typically encapsulated in the first claim, asserting ownership over a novel chemical entity, pharmaceutical composition, or therapeutic method.
- For drugs, claims might specify the compound's structure represented in chemical formulae or its physiochemical properties.
- If the patent pertains to a combination drug, claims specify the active ingredients and their ratios, emphasizing synergistic effects or improved pharmacokinetics.
Dependent Claims
- Specific dosage, formulation, or application claims—like controlled-release formulations or specific patient populations.
- Claims addressing manufacturing steps, such as purification or stabilization techniques, often found in Chinese patents to protect the entire production chain.
Validity and Enforceability Considerations
Given Chinese patent standards under the Patent Law, the claims must be novel, inventive, and industrially applicable. The patent appears well-positioned if it clearly demonstrates inventive steps over the prior art.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Environment
Major Players in the Chinese Pharmaceutical Patent Space
- Domestic Innovators: Companies like CSPC, Shanghai Pharmaceuticals, and China National Pharmaceutical Group actively cultivate a robust IP portfolio, including compounds and formulations similar to CN103547271.
- International Firms: Multinational giants such as Roche, Bayer, or Novartis often file patents in China covering similar drugs, positioning CN103547271 within a competitive landscape that emphasizes innovation and local adaptation.
Patent Family and Related Applications
- The patent likely belongs to a patent family with filings in jurisdictions like the US, Europe, or Japan. This legal strategy broadens territorial protection.
- Related filings may include divisional or continuation applications focusing on narrower claims or auxiliary embodiments.
Landscape Implications
- The patent contributes to a growing portfolio of innovative drugs aligning with China's policies aimed at indigenous innovation.
- The landscape shows increasing filings around specific therapeutic areas such as oncology, metabolic disorders, or inflammatory conditions.
Legal and Commercial Significance
- Infringement Risk: Competitors should analyze the claims scope to avoid potential infringement. Product development targeting similar compounds or methods must ensure non-infringing design-around strategies.
- Patent Strength: The detailed claims and specific embodiments suggest a defensible patent, but enforceability depends on prior art and procedural validity.
- Market Positioning: The patent supports the patent holder’s market exclusivity, preventing generic competition temporarily.
Conclusion
Patent CN103547271 exemplifies China's advancing pharmaceutical IP landscape, securing a potentially broad scope over a novel drug composition or method. Its claims strategically balance breadth with specificity, aiming to safeguard core innovations while permitting targeted design-arounds. Stakeholders must rigorously evaluate the claims against existing patents and technical disclosures to navigate legal risks and capitalize on market opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- CN103547271's scope likely encompasses a novel active pharmaceutical ingredient or formulation, with claims extending to methods of preparation and therapeutic applications.
- The patent's claims are structured to protect both broad inventive concepts and specific embodiments, offering robust legal coverage.
- The Chinese patent landscape is highly active, with domestic and international entities competing in key therapeutic areas; CN103547271 sits within this dynamic environment.
- Companies should analyze this patent in the context of existing IP to avoid infringement and identify opportunities for licensing or innovation around its claims.
- Regular monitoring of related patent filings and legal statuses in China is essential to maintaining competitive advantage.
FAQs
1. What is the main innovative aspect of CN103547271?
It primarily claims a specific pharmaceutical composition or method involving a novel compound or combination, aimed at improving therapeutic efficacy or delivery.
2. How broad are the patent claims?
The independent claims cover core compounds and methods, with dependent claims narrowing the scope through specifics like dosage forms or synthesis procedures, striking a balance between scope and enforceability.
3. Can competitors design around this patent?
Potentially, by developing alternative compounds or methods that differ sufficiently from the patent claims to avoid infringement, especially if the claims are limited to certain structural or procedural features.
4. How does this patent impact the Chinese pharmaceutical market?
It strengthens the patent holder’s position, potentially delaying generic entry and supporting commercialization strategies aligned with China’s emphasis on innovation-driven growth.
5. What should patent owners consider to enforce rights based on CN103547271?
They should monitor for infringing products, validate the patent’s procedural and substantive robustness, and prepare enforcement strategies, including infringement litigation or licensing negotiations.
References
[1] China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). Patent CN103547271. Retrieved from the official CNIPA database.
