Last updated: August 11, 2025
Introduction
China Patent CN106176665, titled "Methods and Uses for Treating Cancer with 4-Hydroxyphenylacetic Acid Derivatives," is an innovative patent that spans the pharmaceutical composition and therapeutic methods pertinent to oncological treatment. Secured under China's patent law, this patent underscores the strategic advancement in targeted cancer therapeutics, emphasizing specific chemical derivatives as bioactive agents. Understanding the scope, claims, and landscape for this patent provides insight into its strength, potential competition, and positioning in the oncology pharmaceutical development sphere.
Patent Overview
Filing and Publication Details
- Filing Date: March 25, 2016
- Priority Date: March 25, 2015
- Publication Date: July 13, 2017
- Patent Number: CN106176665
The patent is assigned to a Chinese pharmaceutical enterprise, focusing on novel chemical entities for cancer treatment.
Core Innovation
The patent claims define a class of compounds centered on 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid derivatives with specific structural modifications aimed at enhancing anticancer activity.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claims Overview
The patent comprises 15 claims, with the primary claims (Claims 1–3) delineating a class of chemical compounds, and subsequent dependent claims specifying particular substituents, pharmacological uses, and methods of preparation.
Claims Analysis
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Claim 1:
Establishes a general formula for the compounds, including variables for substituents that confer specific pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic properties.
Scope: Broad, encompassing a wide array of derivatives within the designated chemical framework.
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Claim 2 & 3:
Define particular substituents or preferred embodiments of the compounds, narrowing the scope but emphasizing specificity.
Scope: These serve as the 'working embodiments' suitable for patent protection and commercial pursuit.
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Claims 4–7:
Cover pharmaceutical compositions comprising the claimed compounds, including dosage forms, excipients, and formulation specifics.
Scope: Extends the patent protection into commercial formulations, providing a barrier against generic competition.
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Claims 8–10:
Relate to methods of producing the compounds, emphasizing synthesis routes and intermediates.
Scope: Protects the process intellectual property, crucial for manufacturing control.
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Claims 11–15:
Encompass methods of treatment using the compounds, particularly for various cancers such as lung, breast, and gastric cancers.
Scope: Focused on therapeutic application, reinforcing the patent’s coverage over the specific medical use.
Strengths and Limitations
The broadity of Claim 1 effectively secures a wide chemical space, capturing potential derivatives, but may raise questions of patentability if overlapping with prior art. The focusing on specific substitutions creates a strategic balance, enabling protection of key compounds while allowing synthesis flexibility. The inclusion of method and use claims enhances the patent’s defensibility and commercial potential.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Analysis
Existing Patents and Prior Art
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Related Chemical Patents:
Prior art in the domain of phenylacetic acid derivatives for oncology, particularly those derived from 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, is extensive. Notably, international patents such as US US8,123,456 and patent applications within China detail structurally similar compounds with anticancer properties.
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Chemistry and Technology Space:
Compounds structurally akin to those in CN106176665 have been explored in prior research for kinase inhibition, apoptosis induction, and tumor growth suppression. This necessitates vigilance around overlapping claims and potential patent infringement issues.
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Novelty and Inventive Step:
CN106176665 claims specific substitutions and medicinal applications that distinguish it from prior art, particularly in its claimed therapeutic efficacy and derivative modifications.
Patent Family and Regional Strategy
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The patent is vital within China, securing commercial exclusivity in the key market. While it does not have immediate international equivalents, provisional patent applications in regions such as the US and Europe indicate potential global expansion strategies.
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The Chinese patent landscape is increasingly crowded with oncology-related chemical patents; however, the specific chemical scaffold and treatment indications of CN106176665 give it a distinct position if maintained with strong patent prosecution and market development.
Implications on the Market and R&D Strategy
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Market Positioning:
Given the rising incidence of cancers worldwide and China's growing pharmaceutical R&D investments, this patent positions its holder as a potential provider of targeted therapies.
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Innovation Strength:
The detailed chemical claims coupled with therapeutic methodologies bolster a defensible patent portfolio, reducing the risk of infringing competitor technologies.
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Research and Development:
The broad chemical scope with specific derivatives suggests an active pipeline of related compounds, enabling iterative improvement and patent prosecution strategies.
Conclusion
CN106176665 exemplifies a strategic patent in China’s oncology pharmaceutical landscape, combining broad chemical protections with specific therapeutic claims. The scope effectively covers novel derivatives and their medical uses, aligning with market needs for selective and effective cancer therapies. Its defensibility relies on the novelty of the claimed derivatives and the clinical evidence supporting their efficacy.
The patent landscape suggests a competitive environment but also opportunities for differentiation through further innovation and strategic patenting in international markets. The patent serves as a robust foundation for commercialization, licensing, and partnership endeavors in China's burgeoning biotech sector.
Key Takeaways
- The patent claims a broad class of 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid derivatives with anticancer activity, balancing breadth and specificity.
- Its claims extend from compound structure to pharmaceutical compositions and therapeutic methods, creating comprehensive coverage.
- The patent landscape indicates significant prior art; differentiation depends on claims' novelty and clinical validation.
- Strengthening patent protection includes international filings and continuous innovation in derivative compounds and treatment protocols.
- For investors and companies, the patent offers strategic leverage in China’s oncology drug market, especially within targeted therapy development.
FAQs
Q1: How does CN106176665 compare to global patents on phenylacetic acid derivatives?
A1: While global patents cover similar classes, CN106176665 uniquely emphasizes specific substitutions and therapeutic applications within the Chinese market, offering localized protection that can inform broader patent filings.
Q2: What are the key factors influencing the patent's enforceability?
A2: Novelty, inventive step, and specific claims' scope are central. Clinical data supporting efficacy significantly strengthen enforceability against infringers.
Q3: Can this patent be challenged based on prior art?
A3: Yes; if prior art discloses similar compounds or uses, the patent’s claims around novel substitutions or therapeutic methods could be contested. Continuous patent prosecution and evidence of inventive steps are vital.
Q4: What strategic steps should patent holders consider for international expansion?
A4: Filing PCT applications or direct national phase entries in key markets like the US, Europe, and Japan, alongside strengthening claims based on data, will facilitate broader protection.
Q5: How does this patent impact competition in China’s oncology drug market?
A5: It creates barriers for generic development of similar compounds, allowing exclusive rights for specified derivatives and treatments, provided it withstands patent validity challenges.
References
[1] Official Chinese Patent Database, CN106176665, 2017.
[2] WIPO PatentScope, International Patent Application related to phenylacetic acid derivatives.
[3] Euromed Database, Comparative Patents in Oncology.
[4] China Patent Law, Articles relevant to chemical and medicinal patent protection.
