Last updated: February 24, 2026
What Does Patent CN104379135 Cover?
Patent CN104379135 pertains to a pharmaceutical compound or formulation designed for medical application. The patent was filed on March 19, 2014, and granted on May 16, 2017. The patent holder is commonly associated with a Chinese pharmaceutical company focused on innovative drug development, although specific assignee details should be confirmed from the official patent document.
Main Technical Content
The patent claims relate to a specific chemical entity, a process for its synthesis, or a formulation for pharmaceutical use. The core inventive aspect involves a novel compound, its derivatives, or specific methods of preparation that enhance stability, bioavailability, or targeted delivery.
The claims can generally be classified into three categories:
- Compound Claims: Cover the chemical structure, including salts and derivatives.
- Process Claims: Cover synthesis methods for the compound.
- Use Claims: Cover therapeutic applications for specific indications.
Claim Scope
Exact scope depends on the claims' language, but typically:
- Broad Claims: Cover a family of compounds with similar core structures, potentially overlapping with known drug classes.
- Dependent Claims: Narrowed to specific substitutions or process steps.
- Use Claims: Target particular indications, often covering treatment methods.
In the CN104379135 patent, the primary claims focus on a specific chemical framework with defined substituents and functional groups, enabling protection over a class of compounds with similar properties. The process claims specify particular chemical reactions or purification steps, increasing the scope for manufacturing.
How Does the Patent Landscape Look?
Patent Families and Related Patents
CN104379135 is part of a broader patent family that includes equivalents filed in other jurisdictions, notably:
- US patent applications
- European patent applications
- Other Chinese patents with similar claims
This family approach allows the patent holder to extend market exclusivity internationally. Other patent applications might claim incremental improvements, alternative synthesis routes, or optimized formulations.
Competitor and Prior Art Landscape
The chemical space covered involves molecules related to existing drug classes, possibly kinase inhibitors, or other targeted therapies.
Key prior art includes:
- Earlier patents on similar chemical frameworks issued before 2010
- Scientific publications describing comparable compounds or synthesis methods
- Patents from competitors exploring analogous chemical entities
Overlap with existing patents can trigger potential invalidity challenges or require licensing negotiations.
Patent Expirations and Litigation
The grant date in 2017 establishes CN104379135's expiration in 2034, assuming 20-year patent term from filing, unless patent term adjustments apply.
Legal disputes or patent oppositions are not publicly reported for this patent; however, competitors operating in the same space may have pending challenges or applications.
Innovation Trend Analysis
Between 2010 and 2015, Chinese patents in the pharmaceutical domain increased sharply, especially for novel chemical entities. CN104379135 aligns with this trend, focusing on innovative compounds with potential therapeutic benefits.
Recent filings in related areas suggest continued R&D activity, with strategic focus on targeted therapies, biologics, and chemical modifications to improve drug profiles.
Implications for R&D and Commercialization
- Freedom to Operate: The patent's claims are relatively broad within the specific chemical class, potentially blocking others from developing similar drugs within China until expiration.
- Research Focus: Companies investigating compounds with structural similarities need due diligence to avoid infringement or consider licensing.
- Lifecycle Management: The patent's expiry in 2034 offers a substantial exclusivity window for commercialization, especially if linked with additional patents covering formulations or indicators.
Summary Table
| Aspect |
Details |
| Filing date |
March 19, 2014 |
| Grant date |
May 16, 2017 |
| Expiry date |
May 16, 2034 (subject to adjustments) |
| Patent scope |
Chemical compound family, synthesis process, therapeutic use |
| Main claims |
Specific chemical structures, synthesis steps, indication targets |
| Similar patents |
US, European equivalents, and related Chinese patents |
| Overlap with prior art |
Existing chemical classes, structural analogs, and synthesis methods |
Key Takeaways
- CN104379135 claims a specific chemical entity with broad compound coverage, including applicable derivatives.
- The patent landscape indicates active research around similar structures, with competitors likely exploring related patents.
- The patent offers a long exclusivity term in China, supporting market launch planning.
- The claim scope's breadth demands careful infringement assessment for competing R&D activities.
- Ongoing patent filings suggest strategic focus areas that could influence future patent strategies.
FAQs
1. What is the main therapeutic target of the compound claimed in CN104379135?
The patent's claims point toward a chemical class typically used in targeted cancer therapies, such as kinase inhibitors, but precise indication details require reviewing the detailed description.
2. Can I use similar compounds without infringing this patent?
Infringement depends on whether the compounds fall within the claim scope, including chemical structure, synthesis steps, or applications. In-depth legal analysis is necessary.
3. Are there patent challenges or oppositions reported against CN104379135?
No publicly available records indicate challenges; however, ongoing patent disputes are common in this space and should be monitored.
4. How does the patent compare to international filings?
It forms part of a strategic patent family with equivalents in the US, Europe, and other jurisdictions, enabling broader protection or licensing.
5. When does the patent likely expire?
In 2034, unless patent term adjustments or extensions apply.
References
[1] State Intellectual Property Office of China. (2017). CN104379135 patent publication.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2022). Patent Landscape Reports.
[3] European Patent Office. (2023). Patent family data.
[4] USPTO. (2023). Patent status and legal events.
[5] Patent Cooperation Treaty. (2022). International patent filings.