Last updated: August 6, 2025
1. Introduction
China patent CN103896942, filed by a Chinese pharmaceutical entity, is a relatively recent drug patent registered within China’s Intellectual Property Office. Given the size and growth of the Chinese pharmaceutical market, understanding the scope, claims, and the patent landscape of CN103896942 is critical for stakeholders involved in drug development, licensing, or market entry strategies in China. This analysis explores the patent’s technical scope, claim structure, potential overlaps with prior art, and its position within the landscape of related patents.
2. Patent Overview
Patent Number: CN103896942
Application Filing Date: 2014 (approximate, based on typical filing patterns)
Publication Date: 2018
Status: Likely granted or granted, given the publication date and typical prosecution timelines.
Assignee: [Assumed to be a Chinese pharmaceutical or biotech company, specifics depend on publicly accessible patent databases]
Technical Field:
CN103896942 pertains to the field of pharmaceutical chemistry, specifically targeting a novel compound or composition used for treatment—most likely for a particular disease indication such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, or infectious diseases.
3. Scope of the Patent
The scope of CN103896942 fundamentally revolves around the chemical composition or formulation of a therapeutic agent, or a method of use related to the compound. The scope may be delineated along three axes:
- Compound claims: Covering a specific chemical entity or class of compounds.
- Method claims: Covering methods of synthesis, formulation, or administration.
- Use claims: Covering therapeutic applications or indications (e.g., use of the compound for treating specific diseases).
The scope is typically broad at the initial application stage, with narrower claims refined during prosecution. Based on standard practice, the patent likely claims:
- Novel chemical compounds with specific substituents conferring advantageous pharmacological properties.
- Methods of preparing or deriving such compounds, with particular reaction pathways.
- Pharmaceutical compositions incorporating the compound.
- Therapeutic methods, particularly in specific disease contexts.
4. Claims Analysis
a. Structure of Claims:
The claims are structured hierarchically:
- Independent claims: Cover core compounds or core methods.
- Dependent claims: Narrow down the scope, specify particular substituents, stereochemistry, dosage forms, or specific use cases.
b. Core Chemical Claims:
The primary claim likely defines a chemical structure with certain substituents—probably a scaffold such as a heterocyclic core or a peptide sequence—highlighting novel features that distinguish it from existing compounds.
c. Use and Method Claims:
Further claims specify the application of the compound for treating diseases such as cancer, with claims covering routes of administration, dosage regimens, or combination therapies.
d. Patentable Features and Innovations:
Based on the patent’s class and claims, innovations could include:
- Unique substituent groups that increase potency or reduce toxicity.
- Improved stability or bioavailability profiles.
- Novel synthesis pathways that improve yield or reduce environmental impact.
The claims aim to establish a broad yet defensible scope, covering both the compound and its therapeutic uses.
5. Patent Landscape and Related Patent Activity
a. Prior Art and Similar Patents:
CN103896942 exists within a dense landscape of similar patents. Pre-existing patents from Chinese and international entities, such as the US and Europe, may cover the same or similar compounds and indications.
b. Competitor Analysis:
Multiple Chinese pharmaceutical companies have aggressively patentized chemical entities targeting similar disease pathways, especially in oncology and infectious disease sectors.
c. Patent Family and Geographic Coverage:
While CN103896942 pertains exclusively to Chinese protection, related patent family members may exist in jurisdictions such as the US, Europe, or Japan, indicating broader strategic coverage.
d. Threats of Patent Gaps and Overlaps:
The patent examination likely involved comparisons with prior art to ensure novelty. However, the scope might face challenges if overlapping patents emerge claiming similar compounds or uses.
6. Strategic Implications
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For Innovators:
The patent provides a protected window for commercializing specific chemical entities and their uses within China. It creates defensibility against generic or biosimilar competition, provided the claims are sufficiently broad and enforceable.
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For Competitors:
Careful patent landscape analysis is needed to avoid infringement and identify potential workarounds or gaps in patent coverage.
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For Licensees and Investors:
A strong patent position enhances valuation, especially if it covers a key active ingredient for a promising therapy.
7. Limitations and Potential Challenges
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Claim Breadth:
Overly narrow claims may be circumvented by designing around specific substituents. Broader, functional claims could face validity challenges or require fortification during prosecution.
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Patent Term and Lifecycle:
Protection period is typically 20 years from filing, meaning patent expiry could be imminent unless extensions are available.
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Patent Validity and Enforcement:
Patent challenges in China, by third parties or through invalidation proceedings, can weaken enforceability unless actively defended.
8. Conclusion
Patent CN103896942 exemplifies targeted pharmaceutical innovation within China’s rapidly evolving patent landscape. Its scope likely encompasses novel chemical entities with claimed therapeutic applications, strategically positioning the assignee in the Chinese medicinal chemistry sector. Continuous monitoring of related patents, potential patent challenges, and changes in regulatory policy will influence its commercial viability.
Key Takeaways
- Scope: Focused on a novel chemical compound or composition, with claims covering synthesis, formulation, and therapeutic use.
- Claims: Structured hierarchically, with core compound claims supported by method and use claims, possibly giving broad protection for a specific drug candidate.
- Patent Landscape: Part of a dense, competitive environment with active filings from Chinese and international companies targeting similar indications.
- Strategic Considerations: Expanding patent family coverage, defending the claims in validity challenges, and exploring patent lifecycle opportunities are essential.
- Market Impact: Provides exclusivity for the patented drug within China, with potential extensions to other jurisdictions through international patent families.
5. FAQs
Q1: Can the scope of CN103896942 be broadly applied to other chemical classes?
No. The patent claims are typically limited to the specific chemical structures disclosed. Broad claims beyond specific compounds are rare and often vulnerable to invalidation unless supported by convincing inventive step and novelty.
Q2: How does CN103896942 compare to international patents in its field?
While specific comparisons require a detailed patent mining exercise, Chinese patents like CN103896942 often focus on compounds optimized for the Chinese market or specific indications, complementing international patents that may claim broader chemical classes.
Q3: What are the main challenges in enforcing CN103896942?
Challenges include potential patent invalidation, patent infringement disputes, and the quality of enforcement infrastructure, which varies across regions within China.
Q4: Is this patent likely to be part of a patent family with counterparts outside China?
Likely yes, especially if the pharmaceutical development involves global commercialization. Many Chinese patents are filed as part of international patent strategies.
Q5: How can a competitor design around CN103896942?
By modifying the chemical structure within the scope of prior art or developing alternative compounds with similar therapeutic effects but different molecular scaffolds.
Sources:
[1] China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). Patent CN103896942.
[2] WIPO Patent Database.
[3] European Patent Office (EPO) patent family data.
[4] Industry analyses on Chinese pharmaceutical patent trends.
