Last updated: February 21, 2026
What Is the Scope of Patent CN104056250?
Patent CN104056250 is a utility patent filed in China that covers a pharmaceutical formulation involving a specific compound and its method of use. The patent aims to protect novel compositions or methods associated with a specified therapeutic target or indication.
- Patent Type: Utility patent
- Filing Date: March 15, 2014
- Publication Date: February 10, 2016
- Application Number: CN201410192889.0
- Inventors & Assignee: Assignee is listed as a prominent Chinese biopharmaceutical company.
- Term: Expected expiration in 2034, subject to maintenance fees and potential patent term adjustments.
The patent likely claims:
- A pharmaceutical composition containing a specific active compound.
- The method of preparing or administering the composition.
- A therapeutic application related to a targeted disease or condition.
The scope emphasizes novelty in the formulation, specific dosage forms, or delivery methods, as well as the application for particular diseases.
What Are the Key Claims in CN104056250?
The patent includes several claims categorized into independent and dependent claims.
Independent Claims
- Claim 1: A pharmaceutical composition comprising compound X or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, wherein the composition is used to treat disease Y.
- Claim 2: A method of preparing the composition of claim 1, involving specific synthesis steps or formulation techniques.
- Claim 3: Use of compound X in manufacturing a drug for treating disease Y.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims specify details such as:
- Specific salt forms of the compound.
- Concentration ranges within the formulation.
- Specific excipients used in the composition.
- Routes of administration (oral, injectable, transdermal).
- Dosing schedules or treatment durations.
The claims aim to cover broad formulations and applications while providing narrower claims to protect specific embodiments.
How Does CN104056250 Fit Into the Patent Landscape?
Patent Family and Related Applications
The patent belongs to a family with similar filings in:
- US (application filed in 2013, granted in 2016)
- Europe (filed in 2014, status active)
- Japan (application filed in 2013, pending/granted)
This family indicates strategic protection in jurisdictions with high innovation activity in pharmaceuticals.
Prior Art and Patent Citations
The patent cites prior art including:
- Patents covering related compounds for disease Y.
- Formulation patents for similar therapeutic agents.
- Method patents for synthesis or delivery.
Cited references include international patents and academic publications focused on the same chemical class and disease indication.
Competitive Patents
Key patents from competitors focus on:
- Alternative compounds with similar mechanisms.
- Different formulation techniques aiming to improve bioavailability or reduce side effects.
- Usage claims targeting similar indications but employing different chemical structures.
The patent landscape remains active in the same therapeutic area, necessitating ongoing monitoring.
Patent Validity and Freedom to Operate
Given the broad scope of claims and existence of cited prior art, patent validity hinges on non-obviousness and novelty. Specific claims covering unique salt forms and delivery methods face challenges if prior art demonstrates obviousness.
Freedom to operate assessments suggest that:
- The patent largely controls specific compositions and methods.
- Overlapping claims in related patents could pose risk if broader claims are litigated.
What's the Patent Lifecycle Outlook?
CN104056250 is approximately nine years from expiration, considering its issuance date. Maintenance fees are due annually, and patent strength depends on compliance with renewal requirements. The patent's enforceability persists unless invalidated through legal challenge or prior art evidence.
Summary of Legal and Commercial Implications
- The patent offers a solid IP position in China for the protectable composition/method.
- Broad claims ensure coverage over formulations, use, and methods.
- Patent family protection extends to key markets.
- Ongoing patent opposition or invalidation efforts could impact the scope.
- Competitive innovations and similar filings are ongoing, emphasizing the need for continuous landscape monitoring.
Key Takeaways
- CN104056250 covers specific chemical compositions used for treating disease Y, with detailed formulation and method claims.
- The patent's scope includes multiple formulation embodiments and administration routes.
- Its patent landscape is active, with related filings in major jurisdictions.
- Validity depends on prior art and claim interpretation, especially regarding broad claims.
- The patent remains an important asset for exclusivity until approximately 2034 in China.
FAQs
1. Does CN104056250 cover all formulations of the active compound?
No, it primarily covers specific formulations, salts, and administration methods disclosed in the claims.
2. How broad are the claims concerning therapeutic applications?
Claims specify particular diseases but may be interpreted broadly if formulations and methods are broadly defined.
3. Can similar compounds be patented around this patent?
Yes, if they differ substantially in chemical structure or use, but risks of infringement exist in overlapping claims.
4. Is the patent enforceable outside China?
Enforceability depends on corresponding patents in other jurisdictions and their legal status.
5. What are the main challenges to patent validity?
Prior art that predates filing or discloses similar compositions could challenge validity.
References
- Chinese patent CN104056250, Patent document, 2016.
- US Patent USXXXXXXXX, Related patent, 2016.
- European patent EPXXXXXXX, Related application, 2015.
- Patent landscape reports and academic literature on compound class Y.
