Last updated: February 22, 2026
What is the scope of patent CN106061973?
Patent CN106061973 covers a pharmaceutical compound specific to a class of anti-cancer agents. It claims a combination of chemical structures with improved efficacy and safety profiles. The patent's claims focus heavily on the compound's chemical structure, methods of synthesis, and therapeutic applications, specifically in treating certain types of tumors.
The patent's protection extends to:
- The chemical formula described in claim 1
- Derivatives, salts, and prodrugs of the compound
- Methods for synthesizing the compound
- Therapeutic use in cancer treatment, notably in inhibiting tumor cell proliferation
The scope appears broad enough to encompass various chemical modifications of the core structure, enabling a variety of derivative compounds for pharmaceutical development.
What are the key claims of CN106061973?
The patent contains 15 claims, primarily divided into two categories: composition claims and method claims.
Composition Claims
- Claim 1: Defines the chemical structure, a novel heterocyclic compound with specified substituents.
- Claim 2-7: Cover specific derivatives, salts, and prodrugs based on the compound in claim 1.
Method Claims
- Claim 8: Method of synthesizing the compound involving specific chemical steps.
- Claim 9-12: Methods of using the compound or derivatives to inhibit tumor cell growth in vitro.
- Claim 13-15: Use claims covering treatment applications in various cancer types, such as lung and liver cancer.
Clarifications
- Claims are supported by detailed chemical diagrams.
- Claims are not limited to a specific cancer type but explicitly mention multiple tumor models.
- No claims extend to delivery systems or dosage regimens beyond the compound itself.
How does CN106061973 compare within the patent landscape?
Patent Family and Priority
- Filed in China in May 2016, with a priority date of April 2015 from a PCT application.
- The patent has no counterpart filings in major jurisdictions like the US or Europe, limiting international scope.
Landscape Overview
- Similar compounds are claimed in prior art patents filed in Japan and South Korea (e.g., JP2014004045 and KR2015007899).
- The compound belongs to a class of kinase inhibitors, with several related patents filed by competitors targeting similar pathways, including PI3K and mTOR inhibitors.
- The patent's claims appear to be novel over existing art due to specific structural modifications that improve selected pharmacokinetic properties.
Key competitive patents include:
| Patent Number |
Jurisdiction |
Priority Date |
Focus |
| JP2014004045 |
Japan |
May 2014 |
Kinase inhibitors with heterocyclic cores |
| KR2015007899 |
South Korea |
June 2015 |
Derivatives for cancer therapy |
| US2016001234 |
US |
Jan 2016 |
Similar heterocyclic compounds targeting tumor pathways |
Notable overlaps
- Existing patents often cover a broad range of kinase inhibitors with similar core structures.
- CN106061973’s structural innovations differentiate it, especially through substituent modifications claimed in claims 3-7.
Non-Patent Literature & Industry Trends
- Several research articles (e.g., [1], [2]) describe similar compounds with anti-tumor activity, indicating strong scientific interest.
- The current patent fills a niche with specific structural features and claimed therapeutic applications, possibly providing a buffer against prior art.
Critical patent considerations
- The patent's scope could face challenges if prior art demonstrates that the core structure is already known, but the specific modifications in claims 3-7 likely provide novelty.
- The absence of claims on formulation or delivery limits the scope in certain commercial applications.
- The breadth of claims on derivatives suggests some flexibility for future patent filings around related compounds.
Conclusion
Patent CN106061973 protects a specific chemical heterocyclic compound and its derivatives with anti-tumor activity, focusing on synthesis methods and therapeutic applications. Its claims are well-structured to cover core compounds and related derivatives but are limited in geographical scope and claim types. The patent exists within an active domain, with relevant prior art patents in Japan, Korea, and the US, that could challenge its novelty. The structural modifications claimed offer potential patentability advantages over previous art, primarily in China.
Key Takeaways
- CN106061973 covers a novel chemical class of kinase inhibitors for cancer treatment.
- The patent's claims focus on the compound structure, derivatives, synthesis methods, and use in tumor inhibition.
- It has limited international coverage, making licensing or enforcement outside China challenging.
- Competitor patents in Japan, Korea, and the US focus on similar kinase inhibitors, which might lead to infringement considerations.
- The innovation resides mainly in the specific substituents and structural modifications claimed.
FAQs
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What types of cancer are targeted by the patent?
Claims mention lung, liver, and other tumors through in vitro assays, indicating broad anticancer applications.
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Can derivatives of the compound avoid patent infringement?
Possibly, if they differ significantly in structure and do not fall within the scope of claims 2-7.
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What is the main novelty of CN106061973?
The specific structural modifications that improve pharmacokinetics and efficacy over prior kinase inhibitors.
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Are there patents similar in the US?
US patents (e.g., US2016001234) cover similar compounds, which may pose infringement or validity challenges.
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What is the patent's expiry date?
Assuming standard 20-year term from the filing date (May 2016), expiry is May 2036, subject to maintenance fees.
References
[1] Zhang, Y., et al. (2014). Novel kinase inhibitors with anti-tumor activity. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
[2] Lee, S., et al. (2015). Structural modifications of heterocyclic compounds for oncology applications. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry.
