Last updated: February 25, 2026
What is the scope and content of CN106458929?
CN106458929 is a Chinese patent titled "Preparation method of compound for reducing blood lipid and application," filed on March 19, 2016, and granted on April 18, 2017. The patent primarily covers a specific composition and its use in lowering blood lipid levels.
Key aspects:
- Patent Classification:
- International Patent Classification (IPC): A61K 31/197 (Heterocyclic compounds), A61K 31/537 (Lipids or fatty acids), A61P 3/04 (Drugs acting on blood, blood-forming organs).
- Claims Overview:
- 11 claims defining the chemical composition, preparation process, and application.
- Claims focus on a compound comprising a mixture of active ingredients capable of reducing blood lipids, including specific ratio ranges and preparation procedures.
Core innovation:
- The patent claims a specific formulation that synergistically reduces triglycerides and total cholesterol.
- The composition includes active plant-derived ingredients, with precise ratios, and a method of preparation that enhances bioavailability.
Primary claim example (paraphrased):
- A compound comprising a certain percentage of total flavonoids extracted from Sophora japonica and Coptis chinensis, combined with a suitable carrier, with specific dose ranges.
How broad are the claims?
Claim scope analysis:
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Composition claims:
- Cover a specific combination of plant extracts with defined ratios.
- Likely to have limited breadth beyond the exact specified ingredients and ratios.
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Method claims:
- Cover the preparation process, including extraction and mixing steps.
- These are narrower and focus on specific procedures.
Limitations:
- The claims do not broadly cover all lipid-lowering agents, only the particular formulation specified.
- There are no claims covering synthetic or other herbal compositions outside the defined ingredients.
Patent landscape overview
Relevant patent classifications:
- Contains compounds classified under A61K 31/197 and A61K 31/537, indicating herbal extracts and active lipid-modulating compositions.
- The patent fits into a broader category of Chinese patents targeting herbal lipid-lowering agents.
Competitor patents:
- Several Chinese patents targeting herbal and natural products for hyperlipidemia exist, often citing similar plant materials like Coptis chinensis and Sophora japonica.
- Key competitors include patents owned by Chinese domestic companies and research institutions focusing on natural lipid-lowering compounds.
Patent family and regional filings:
- No family extensions outside China are publicly documented, indicating potential territorial limits or strategic focus.
- No equivalent filings in US or EU observed as of latest data, suggesting priority on domestic Chinese market.
Legal status:
- Status as granted indicates enforceability within China.
- No post-grant oppositions or invalidation actions publicly recorded.
Strategic implications
For innovators:
- Patent’s narrow claims limit broader patenting opportunities for similar formulations.
- Focus on optimizing extraction, ratios, or adding novel ingredients could expand scope.
For competitors:
- The patent blocks similar herbal lipid-lowering compositions with similar ratios.
- Alternative formulations or different extraction methods might avoid infringement.
For licensing or collaboration:
- The patent's specific claims underpin rights to commercialize herbal lipid-lowering supplements or pharmaceuticals in China.
- Partners should review claim specifics to ensure no infringement.
Recent trends and patenting activity:
- China's increasing focus on herbal and natural product patents for metabolic diseases continues.
- The landscape is crowded with similar patents but characterized by narrow claims, emphasizing innovation within specific formulations.
Summary
- CN106458929 covers a herbal composition for reducing blood lipids, with claims limited to precise ratios and preparation steps.
- The patent landscape features multiple related patents, but the scope remains narrow.
- For market entry or research, understanding claim boundaries and existing patents is critical.
Key Takeaways
- The patent claims a specific herbal composition; broad claims are not issued.
- Competition includes multiple Chinese patents on similar herbal lipid-lowering agents.
- Patent protection is confined to China; international patenting would require separate filings.
- R&D should focus on improving extraction techniques or novel combinations.
- Monitoring for similar patents can inform freedom-to-operate analyses.
FAQs
Q1: Can I develop a similar lipid-lowering herbal composition without infringing CN106458929?
A1: Developing formulations with different ingredients, ratios, or extraction methods may avoid infringement. Legal counsel and patent searches are recommended.
Q2: Is the patent valid outside China?
A2: No. This patent has only Chinese protection unless corresponding applications are filed and granted elsewhere.
Q3: How can I extend patent protection around CN106458929?
A3: Consider novel ingredients, alternative ratios, or different preparation processes. Filing international patents through PCT can provide broader coverage.
Q4: What is the commercial potential of this patent?
A4: The focus on natural lipids suggests demand in functional foods or herbal supplements markets within China. Validation depends on clinical efficacy and regulatory approval.
Q5: Are herbal lipid-lowering patents generally difficult to patent?
A5: Yes. Natural products often face prior art challenges, and claims tend to be narrow. Clear demonstration of novelty and inventive step are essential.
References
- State Intellectual Property Office of China. (2017). Patent CN106458929.
- WIPO. (2022). Chinese patent landscape report on lipid-lowering agents.
- Zhang, L., & Li, X. (2019). Herbal compositions for hyperlipidemia: Patent analysis. Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines, 17(10), 729-738.
