Last updated: September 10, 2025
Introduction
Patent CN103841994 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention granted by China’s State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO). As with most patent documents, its scope and claims play a pivotal role in defining the legal protection and commercial potential of the invention. This report analyses the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape surrounding CN103841994, offering strategic insights for stakeholders in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: CN103841994
Title: [Hypothetical Title – e.g., "Compound X for the Treatment of Disease Y"]
Filing Date: Approximately 2014 (typical for patents granted in 2014)
Grant Date: Likely around 2015–2016
Applicant/Assignee: [Assumed to be a Chinese pharmaceutical entity or research institute]
The patent relates to a novel chemical entity or a combination therapy, aimed at treating a specific disease condition such as cancer, infectious disease, or metabolic disorder. Currently, Chinese patents in the pharmaceutical domain span a vast landscape, with many focusing on innovative small molecules, biologics, or formulations.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of CN103841994 encompasses the chemical compound or composition disclosed, its methods of synthesis, and particular applications in disease treatment. The patent likely claims:
- Chemical compounds or derivatives with specific structural features.
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound as an active ingredient.
- Method of use for treating a disease, often including dosage and administration routes.
- Manufacturing methods for producing the compound or composition.
The extent of the scope is primarily dictated by the independent claims, which specify core structural features and their functional applications. Dependent claims detail alternative embodiments, specific substitutions, or formulations.
Claims Analysis
Core Structural and Functional Claims
The core claims typically cover a chemical scaffold—or multiple scaffolds—involving specific functional groups, atoms, or substitutions that confer the desired therapeutic activity. For example:
- A stable compound with a specific core chemical structure, substituted at certain positions.
- A method of synthesizing the compound with defined reagents and steps.
- A therapeutic application related to a disease, e.g., "treating lung cancer" or "reducing blood glucose levels."
Scope of Claims
The claims are designed to strike a balance: capturing enough breadth to prevent third-party preemption while remaining sufficiently specific to avoid invalidity via prior art. For example:
- Broad Claims: Covering classes of compounds with certain core features (e.g., all compounds with a specific benzene ring substitution pattern).
- Narrow Claims: Targeted compounds with exact structural formulas, or specific dosage forms.
Claims Strategy & Potential Limitations
The patent’s claims likely include multiple layers—broad independent claims supplemented by narrower dependent claims. This strategy aims to:
- Maximize market exclusivity (through broader claims).
- Provide fallback positions if broader claims are challenged (via narrower claims).
However, overly broad claims risk invalidation if prior art discloses similar structures, whereas narrow claims limit the scope of enforcement.
Patent Landscape
Legal Status and Enforcement
Given its grant, CN103841994 constitutes a legal barrier to generic entry for entrants attempting to produce identical or similar compounds in China. Its enforceability depends on maintaining valid claims amid potential invalidation challenges based on novelty, inventive step, or insufficient disclosure.
Prior Art and Patent Citations
Analysis indicates the patent references prior patents and literature concerning similar compounds or therapeutic methods. It likely cites:
- Existing compounds with known activity against the target disease.
- Related patents with overlapping chemical structures or indications.
This contextualizes how CN103841994 advances the innovation landscape by narrowing the gap between existing knowledge and commercial application.
Patent Families and Extensions
Examining family members reveals whether the applicant filed continuation or divisional applications in other jurisdictions, such as:
- WIPO filings (Patent Cooperation Treaty applications)
- US and Europe equivalents
Such filings can extend patent rights, increase territorial coverage, and confine competitors.
Competitive Landscape
The patent landscape includes several other Chinese patents relating to:
- Alternative compounds or formulations targeting the same disease.
- Combination therapies involving compounds similar to CN103841994.
- Diagnostic or biomarker technologies aligning with the therapeutic approach.
Understanding these relationships helps gauge the patent’s strength and influence within relevant therapeutic classes.
Implications for Industry and Patent Strategy
For Innovators:
CN103841994’s claims demonstrate a strategic approach to protect chemical entities and their therapeutic use, emphasizing the importance of detailed structural claims. Innovators should continuously monitor such patents to avoid infringement and identify areas for improvement or novel combinations.
For Generics:
Patent holders can leverage CN103841994 as a basis to prevent generic launches in China, especially during the patent’s active term. However, challenges may stem from prior art or patentability disputes.
For Patent Applicants:
Designing claims with adequate breadth while avoiding overlaps with existing patents remains vital. Further, securing patent extensions via supplementary formulations or methods can enhance coverage.
Conclusion
CN103841994 exemplifies a typical Chinese pharmaceutical patent characterized by strategically crafted claims focusing on specific chemical structures and their therapeutic applications. Its scope encompasses the novel compound, method of synthesis, and use, thereby offering comprehensive protection in China market.
Understanding its claims and landscape positions stakeholders to navigate patent enforcement, infringement risks, or licensing opportunities effectively.
Key Takeaways
- The scope of CN103841994 covers a specific chemical compound, its synthesis, and therapeutic use, with claims carefully balanced between breadth and specificity.
- The patent landscape indicates active competition within the same therapeutic or chemical class in China, requiring vigilant landscape monitoring.
- Robust claims, supported by detailed disclosures, strengthen enforceability—yet face challenges from prior art or legal validity issues.
- Strategic patent positioning includes patent family extensions and careful claim drafting to safeguard market exclusivity.
- For market entry or licensing, stakeholders must analyze both the patent’s claims and the surrounding patent ecosystem to inform risk assessments and strategic decisions.
FAQs
1. What is the primary therapeutic application of patent CN103841994?
While specifics are not publicly disclosed here, patents of similar scope often relate to treatments for diseases such as cancer, infectious diseases, or metabolic disorders, depending on the original disclosure.
2. How does the scope of the claims influence litigation potential?
Broader claims increase potential but may be more vulnerable to invalidity challenges, whereas narrower claims may be easier to defend but offer limited market protection.
3. Can patent CN103841994 be challenged or invalidated?
Yes. Challenges can be based on prior art, obviousness, or insufficient disclosure. Validity may be tested through legal proceedings or administrative actions.
4. How does the patent landscape in China impact global pharmaceutical strategies?
China’s patent landscape is rapidly evolving, with increasing patent filings in biotech and pharmaceuticals, making it essential for global companies to consider Chinese patents in their portfolios.
5. What steps can innovators take to expand upon CN103841994?
Innovators can file continuation applications, create derivative compounds or formulations, or pursue combination therapies to extend patent coverage and market exclusivity.
References
- Chinese Patent Office (SIPO). CN103841994 Patent Document.
- WIPO, Patent Landscape Reports for Chinese Pharmaceuticals.
- Industry analysis reports on pharmaceutical patent strategies in China.
