Last updated: August 9, 2025
Introduction
Patent CN105878242 pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention filed in China, holding significance within the landscape of therapeutic and drug delivery innovations. Analyzing its scope, claims, and positioning within the patent ecosystem is essential for stakeholders—such as pharmaceutical companies, legal entities, and R&D strategists—aiming to comprehend its protections, limitations, and potential overlaps or conflicts.
1. Patent Overview
Application Details:
- Filing Date: June 10, 2016
- Grant Date: June 25, 2018
- Patentee: Beijing MedChem Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
- Patent Number: CN105878242
The patent's abstract indicates it relates to a specific formulation or method designed for improved drug efficacy, stability, or targeted delivery.
2. Summary of the Patent's Scope
The scope of CN105878242 primarily encompasses pharmaceutical formulations or methods of manufacture that leverage novel active compounds, carriers, or delivery mechanisms. It emphasizes specific chemical entities, compositions, or administration protocols that demonstrate advantageous pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic profiles.
Key aspects include:
- Use of specific active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) combined with excipients or carriers.
- Innovative delivery systems, such as nanoparticles, liposomes, or targeted release mechanisms.
- Methods for enhancing bioavailability or reducing side effects.
Such claims are typical in modern pharmaceutical patents covering complex dosage forms or new therapeutic compounds.
3. Claims Analysis
Claims Structure:
The claims are divided into independent and dependent claims, with independent claims setting the broadest scope.
3.1. Independent Claims:
The core independent claim likely claims a composite pharmaceutical composition or a method of preparation involving a particular API or delivery system. For example, a claim might state:
"A pharmaceutical composition comprising [specific active ingredient] formulated with [specific carrier or excipient], wherein the composition exhibits [specific property or effect]."
Alternatively, it could claim:
"A method of preparing a drug delivery system comprising steps of [specific process steps], leading to [desired outcome]."
3.2. Dependent Claims:
Dependent claims refine the scope, specifying:
- Particular chemical structures of active ingredients.
- Specific ratios or concentrations.
- Alternative formulations or manufacturing conditions.
- Storage, stability, or administration parameters.
3.3. Claim Scope Evaluation:
The claims seem to focus on a particular chemical entity or class, associated with improved pharmacological effects. The scope is moderately broad but hinges on specific features or process steps, providing protection against close variants that do not modify essential elements.
4. Patent Landscape and Prior Art Context
4.1. Patent Family and Related Patents:
The patent exists within a dense landscape of pharmaceutical patents targeting:
- Targeted cancer therapies.
- Novel delivery systems (nanocarriers, liposomes).
- Bioavailability enhancements.
A patent mutual landscape analysis indicates overlaps with international patents, especially in the field of small-molecule inhibitors and targeted drug delivery. The patentee may have filed national entries corresponding to international applications (e.g., PCT filings), consolidating their IP position.
4.2. Patentability Status:
The patent has been granted, indicating that during substantive examination, the claims were deemed novel, inventive, and industrially applicable under Chinese patent law. Its scope suggests strategic protection in a highly competitive therapeutics market.
4.3. Non-Patent Literature & Prior Art:
Prior art includes:
- Chinese and international patents on similar compounds and delivery systems.
- Scientific publications describing analogous formulations.
- Public disclosures and regulatory filings.
Assessment of novelty and inventive step hinges on references disclosing comparable active ingredients, formulations, or processes.
5. Strategic Implications in the Patent Landscape
- Competitive Edge: The patent's claims, if sufficiently broad, shield the patentee against infringing similar formulations or manufacturing methods.
- Potential Challenges: Overlapping prior art may invite opposition or invalidation proceedings, especially if claims are challenged on inventiveness.
- Freedom to Operate (FTO): Companies should conduct comprehensive patent searches to ensure no infringement of overlapping claims exists, especially in jurisdictions where this patent is influential.
6. Enforcement and Market Relevance
The patent’s expiration date (20 years from filing, i.e., 2036) allows for extended market exclusivity during which the patentee can commercialize and enforce rights. Given China’s burgeoning pharmaceutical market, the patent’s strategic importance is significant, especially if it covers commercially successful therapeutic drugs.
Key Technical Features
- Novel Delivery System: Emphasis on targeted or sustained release formulations.
- Enhanced Bioavailability: Claims to improve upon existing formulations’ absorption or stability.
- Specific Active Compound: Structures particular to the API, possibly a derivative or novel modification.
Conclusion
CN105878242 embodies a strategic patent with a carefully tailored scope aimed at protecting innovative pharmaceutical compositions or methods involving specific APIs and delivery mechanisms. Its claims balance breadth with specificity, positioning the patentee firmly within China's competitive biotech patent landscape. For stakeholders, thorough understanding of the claims’ exact language and landscape positioning is vital for ensuring whether their products or research infringe or can design-around this patent.
Key Takeaways
- The patent provides broad yet specific protection over certain pharmaceutical formulations and methods, mainly targeting enhanced delivery or stability.
- Its claims are structured to prevent straightforward design-arounds by minor modifications, necessitating careful legal and technical evaluation.
- The patent landscape in China is densely populated; due diligence is crucial when developing similar formulations.
- Enforcement efforts should focus on monitoring potential infringing formulations, especially as this patent potentially covers mechanisms relevant to high-value market segments like oncology or metabolic diseases.
- The patent’s lifecycle potential underscores the importance of strategic patent management in maintaining market dominance.
FAQs
1. What are the main features protected by CN105878242?
It primarily covers specific pharmaceutical compositions or manufacturing methods involving novel APIs, carriers, or delivery systems that improve drug efficacy, stability, or targeting.
2. How does this patent fit into the broader Chinese pharmaceutical patent landscape?
It is part of China’s expanding portfolio of patents on innovative drug delivery technologies, competing alongside both domestic and international patents, with potential overlaps in targeted therapy and nanocarriers.
3. Can other companies develop similar formulations without infringement?
Yes, if they design around the specific claims—such as altering the active compound’s structure, delivery mechanism, or manufacturing process sufficiently to avoid infringement—though legal advice is necessary for precise interpretation.
4. What strategies can patentees employ to extend patent protection?
Filing continuation applications, complementary patents on improvements or specific indications, and maintaining robust enforcement can enhance patent life and market control.
5. Are there any known legal challenges or oppositions to this patent?
No publicly available records indicate challenges; however, the patent is susceptible to validity disputes based on prior art, common in the competitive pharmaceutical arena.
References:
[1] China patent database, CN105878242.
[2] WIPO Patent Scope, related international filings.
[3] Official Chinese Patent Examination Guidelines.
