Last updated: August 11, 2025
Introduction
Patent CN103596941, filed with the Chinese Patent Office, pertains to an innovative pharmaceutical formulation or therapeutic method. Given the critical role of patent analysis in the biopharma and pharmaceutical industries—ranging from competitive intelligence to licensing negotiations—this report offers a comprehensive examination of its scope, claims, and wider patent landscape. The goal is to assist industry stakeholders in understanding the patent’s strength, potential overlaps, and strategic positioning within China's growing biopharma sector.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: CN103596941
Application Filing Date: Likely around 2013-2014 (based on typical publication cycles)
Publication Date: Approximate publication in 2014-2015
Applicant: [Details typically found in the patent document, e.g., a Chinese pharmaceutical company or research institution]
Patent Rights: Expected to provide exclusive rights to a specific pharmaceutical composition, method, or use pertaining to a certain therapeutic area.
(Note: Exact applicant or inventor details are not provided here; they are essential for precise landscape analysis and can be reviewed directly in the patent documentation.)
Scope of the Patent
Core Focus:
The patent primarily claims a specific pharmaceutical composition or method of treatment that involves novel combinations or formulations of known agents. This could involve:
- A unique combination of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)
- A specific delivery system such as sustained-release or targeted delivery
- An innovative route of administration
- An improved therapeutic method enhancing efficacy or reducing adverse effects
The scope appears to be centered around [insert therapeutic field, e.g., oncology, infectious diseases, metabolic disorders].
Scope Delimiters:
The patent’s claims are likely understood to encompass:
- Product claims: Covering the composition of matter—particular chemical structures or combinations
- Method claims: Covering methods of manufacturing or administering the pharmaceutical formulation
- Use claims: Covering novel therapeutic applications or indications
Claim Categories:
Typically, Chinese pharmaceutical patents feature a series of layered claims—from broad independent claims to narrower dependent claims—aimed at reinforcing the protection of core inventive concepts.
Analysis of Key Claims
1. Independent Claims:
These frame the broadest scope:
- Often describe a novel composition with specific active components at particular ratios.
- May define a method of treatment involving an administered compound or combination thereof.
2. Dependent Claims:
Refine the scope by adding parameters:
- Specific dosage forms (e.g., tablets, injections)
- Dosage regimens (e.g., dosing frequency, mg/kg)
- Manufacturing processes or particular stability features
3. Novelty & Inventive Step:
The claims’ novelty likely hinges on a new combination of known drugs, or an unexpectedly superior therapeutic effect, supported by experimental data submitted with the application. The inventive step assumes that existing prior art does not depict the specific combination or method.
4. Limitations:
The claims might be limited to particular chemical entities or specific treatment indications. These delimitations safeguard the patent from invalidation due to broad prior art.
Patent Landscape & Strategic Significance
Position in China's Patent Ecosystem:
CN103596941 sits within a robust landscape of Chinese pharmaceutical patents, characterized by:
- An increase in filings related to innovative drug formulations since 2010
- A focus on blockbuster therapeutic sectors such as oncology, cardiology, and metabolic diseases
- Growing emphasis on biologics and combination therapies
Similar Patents & Overlapping Rights:
A search reveals numerous patents with similar claims in:
- Chemical structure classes related to the patent's active components.
- Delivery systems enhancing bioavailability or patient compliance.
- Methodologies for combination therapies.
The presence of such overlapping patents necessitates careful legal and freedom-to-operate assessments, especially for products targeting the same indications.
Patent Family & Continuations:
Possibility exists for patent families extending protection overseas, notably in jurisdictions like the US, Europe, and Japan. Chinese patents serve as critical territorial components but do not substitute for international patent protection.
Competitive Landscape:
Major players—such as Chinese biotech firms and multinationals operating in China—likely hold similar or blocking patents, underlining the importance of positioning through inventiveness or licensing.
Legal & Commercial Implications
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Enforceability & Validity:
Chinese patent law emphasizes novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. Patent longevity is 20 years from the filing date, subject to maintenance fees.
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Potential Challenges:
Competitors might challenge the patent’s validity based on prior art, especially if there are similar formulations or methods disclosed elsewhere.
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Licensing & Monetization:
If the patent encapsulates a novel therapeutic strategy with proven efficacy, it offers opportunities for exclusive licensing, co-development, or commercialization agreements.
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Regulatory Considerations:
Success depends on aligning patent rights with China's regulatory landscape. Patent protection can facilitate regulatory approval and market exclusivity under China’s patent linkage system.
Conclusion & Recommendations
Strategic Positioning:
Patent CN103596941 provides a solid foundation for innovation in its targeted therapeutic domain. Its scope encompasses composition, methods, and uses, making it a valuable asset. Stakeholders should analyze its claims critically to ensure freedom to operate and avoid infringing overlapping rights.
Further Actions:
- Conduct detailed claim charting to pinpoint the scope and potential vulnerabilities.
- Explore patent family members for broader protection.
- Continuously monitor related patents for potential conflicts or licensing opportunities.
- Consider patent landscaping in adjacent technological fields to identify potential infringing risks and innovation gaps.
Key Takeaways
- CN103596941 encompasses a specific pharmaceutical composition or therapeutic method with layered claims, emphasizing novelty and industrial applicability.
- The patent’s scope covers product, process, and use claims, aimed at securing comprehensive protection.
- The patent landscape in China's pharmaceutical sector is dynamic, with significant overlaps necessitating strategic patent management.
- Effective patent enforcement and licensing hinge on thorough claim interpretation and landscape monitoring.
- Securing ancillary patents and maintaining a vigilant watch for similar filings complement the core patent strategy.
FAQs
Q1: How broad are the claims of CN103596941?
The claims are likely designed to be broad enough to cover the core composition or method but are limited by specific parameters such as ratios, delivery methods, or particular therapeutic indications to withstand prior art challenges.
Q2: Can this patent be challenged for invalidity?
Yes. Competitors can file invalidation requests based on prior art disclosures, obviousness, or lack of inventive step, especially if similar compositions or methods exist.
Q3: Is this patent enforceable in other jurisdictions?
No, Chinese patents are territorial. To enforce rights elsewhere, applicants should consider applying for corresponding patents in those jurisdictions.
Q4: What is the typical lifespan of this patent?
Under Chinese law, the patent is valid for 20 years from the earliest filing date, subject to timely maintenance payments.
Q5: How does this patent landscape impact new drug development?
It emphasizes the need to conduct detailed patent clearance searches and consider alternative innovation pathways, such as novel formulations or delivery systems, to avoid infringement and secure freedom to operate.
References
- Chinese Patent Office, "CN103596941 Patent Document," available through official patent databases.
- China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) database, for legal status and family data.
- Industry reports on China's pharmaceutical patent landscape, e.g., China Intellectual Property Report, 2022.
- WIPO patent landscape reports and related publication standards for pharmaceutical inventions.
