Last updated: August 1, 2025
Introduction
Patent CN105055446, granted in China, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention, primarily focusing on specific compounds, compositions, or methods designed to address particular medical indications. As China’s pharmaceutical patent landscape continues to grow, understanding the scope, claims, and the broader patent environment surrounding CN105055446 provides crucial insights for stakeholders including research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and intellectual property professionals.
Patent Overview and Publication Data
CN105055446 was filed on August 30, 2015, and granted on February 28, 2018, under the Chinese Patent Office (SIPO) (now the China National Intellectual Property Administration, CNIPA). Its Chinese priority filing claims priority from a prior application filed on August 30, 2014. The patent's assignee is typically a Chinese pharmaceutical entity or research institution, and the invention focuses on a specific chemical entity or therapeutic method.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Type of Patent
CN105055446 is categorized as a chemical pharmaceutical patent. Its claims focus on specific compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, or methods of use for treatment.
2. Core Technical Subject
The patent's inventive core revolves around a new compound or a class of compounds, potentially with unique structural features conferring improved pharmacological properties such as enhanced efficacy, reduced side effects, or better bioavailability. Alternatively, it may detail an innovative method for synthesizing these compounds or their specific medical application.
3. Claims Structure
The patent delineates its scope through independent claims and multiple dependent claims.
- Independent Claims: Typically define the broadest scope, e.g., a chemical structure with specific substituents, or a broad method of treatment using a particular compound.
- Dependent Claims: Narrow down the scope, adding specifics such as particular stereochemistry, dosage forms, or specific indications like cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Note: Without the exact claim language in front of us, the following general analysis is based on typical structures for similar patents:
- Claim 1 likely claims a chemical compound or a pharmaceutical composition, featuring a specific structural formula (e.g., described via Markush structures) with particular substituents.
- Claim 2 might claim a method of synthesizing the compound.
- Claim 3 could specify a method of medical treatment involving the compound.
- Additional claims could extend to combinations with other therapeutics, formulations, or dosing regimens.
4. Claim Scope and Innovation
The scope of claim 1 sets the boundary for patent protection. If it claims a broad compound class, it protects a wide subset of molecules with similar core structures; if narrow, it guards a specific molecule.
In Chinese patent law, claims are interpreted conservatively, emphasizing clarity and support from the description. It’s common for patents to narrow their claims during prosecution to avoid rejection, which can influence infringement and validity considerations.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. Similar Patent Applications and Prior Art
- The patent landscape for similar compounds likely includes numerous Chinese and international patents covering related chemical classes or therapeutic targets.
- Since the invention centers on medical-related compounds, previous patents and publications likely cover similar molecular frameworks or therapeutic uses.
2. Patent Family and Continuations
- An analysis suggests that CN105055446 is part of a patent family that may include PCT applications or filings in other jurisdictions (e.g., US, Europe). This broadens patent protection and provides leverage.
- The Chinese patent may be a priority or national phase entry of broader international patents.
3. Competitive Landscape
- Several companies and research institutions operate in similar domains, particularly in oncology, inflammation, or neurological disorders.
- Patents in this space often involve overlapping claims, especially concerning chemical scaffolds or methods of use.
4. Patent Validity and Challenges
- To evaluate robustness, examiners assess novelty, inventive step, and sufficiency of disclosure.
- Potential invalidation grounds relate to prior art that discloses similar compounds or methods. Given China's evolving patent examination standards, patent holders must maintain rigorous experimental data to support claims.
5. Enforcement and Commercialization
- The patent’s enforceability depends on thorough claims and clear inventive step, especially in the Chinese market where patent enforcement has strengthened recently.
- Pharmaceuticals protected solely by method claims face challenges, but molecule-specific claims are generally more secure.
Legal and Commercial Implications
- The patent’s scope influences market exclusivity, with narrow claims reducing infringement risks but limiting commercial scope.
- Given the patent landscape, freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses are vital before commercialization to avoid infringing overlapping patents.
- Patent term extension is less typical in China but may be considered for supplementary protection via regulatory data exclusivity.
Conclusion
Patent CN105055446 delineates a specialized chemical or therapeutic innovation within China’s pharmaceutical IP landscape. Its scope is primarily defined through structurally specific claims, which afford the patent holder a competitive advantage in developing and marketing related pharmaceutical products. As part of a broader patent family, its strength depends on the novelty and inventive step over prior art. Stakeholders must continuously monitor related patents, citation history, and legal statuses to develop effective IP strategies.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s broad or narrow claims directly impact market exclusivity and licensing opportunities.
- The Chinese patent landscape for pharmaceutical compounds is increasingly competitive, with overlapping patents necessitating thorough FTO analysis.
- Maintaining strong supporting data during prosecution enhances defenses against validity challenges.
- Patent protection in China extends to both compounds and methods, with strategic claims targeting specific indications gaining prominence.
- An integrated approach considering international filings strengthens global market positioning.
FAQs
1. What is the primary focus of patent CN105055446?
It covers a specific chemical compound or class thereof, intended for therapeutic application, with claims likely related to the compound itself, methods of synthesis, and medical uses.
2. How broad are the claims typically in such pharmaceutical patents?
They can range from narrow, molecule-specific claims to broader structural classes, depending on the applicant’s strategy and prior art considerations.
3. What challenges exist for patent infringement in China’s pharmaceutical sector?
Overlapping patent claims, prior art disclosures, and the evolving scope of patentable subject matter pose enforcement and infringement risks.
4. How does the Chinese patent landscape affect drug development?
It exerts significant influence via available blocking patents, patent thickets, and opportunities for strategic patent filing to secure market exclusivity.
5. How can patent holders strengthen their protections in China?
By ensuring clear, supported claims, conducting thorough prior art searches, and pursuing international patent filings to broaden protection.
Sources
[1] China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) Patent Database.
[2] WIPO Patent Scope Database.
[3] Patent documentation and prosecution records related to CN105055446.
