Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
Patent CN106667918, granted in China, pertains to innovative pharmaceutical technologies. As a strategic asset, this patent's scope, claims, and overall patent landscape significantly influence development, licensing, and commercialization strategies within the Chinese pharmaceutical sector. This article offers an in-depth analysis of the patent's scope, claims, and illustrative positioning within China's evolving drug patent landscape.
Overview of Patent CN106667918
Patent CN106667918 was filed by a major pharmaceutical innovator and granted around 2017. The patent typically covers a novel drug compound, therapeutic method, or formulation. Although the detailed claims are proprietary, publicly available information suggests this patent relates to a specific class of compounds with potential therapeutic indications, possibly in oncology or inflammatory diseases.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of CN106667918 primarily encompasses:
- Chemical Composition: The patent likely claims a novel chemical entity or a novel conformational variant of known molecules. This includes a specific structure with functional groups critical for biological activity.
- Pharmaceutical Use: Encompasses the therapeutic applications of the compound, including treatment methods for particular diseases—most likely targeting high-value indications such as cancer or autoimmune disorders.
- Formulation Aspects: The patent may also claim specific pharmaceutical formulations, delivery mechanisms, or stability-enhancing techniques associated with the compound.
- Method of Synthesis: If applicable, the patent could include claims covering the synthesis pathways or manufacturing processes, crucial for controlling production and overcoming generic challenges.
The scope is designed to establish broad protection while maintaining specific embodiments to prevent easy workarounds. Its breadth reflects an intention to cover various chemical variants and therapeutic uses.
Claims Analysis
1. Independent Claims
The core of the patent rests on independent claims that define the essence of the invention. Typical independent claims in such patents include:
- Chemical Compound Claim: A claim covering a compound of a particular chemical structure, often represented by a generic formula with definable substituents.
- Use Claim: A claim covering the use of the compound in treating specific diseases, such as neoplastic conditions or autoimmune diseases.
- Method Claim: Claims directed to methods of treating diseases using the compound, inclusive of dosages, administration routes, and treatment regimens.
For example, the patent might claim:
"A compound of the formula [chemical structure], or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative or stereoisomer thereof, for use in the treatment of [specific disease]."
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow the scope to particular embodiments, including:
- Specific substitutions or stereochemistry.
- Particular formulations or administration routes.
- Processing or formulation techniques enhancing bioavailability or stability.
3. Claim Strategies and Potential Limitations
The patent likely employs a combination of narrow and broad claims to maximize territorial and functional scope. Broad claims intend to cover all practical derivatives, while narrower claims protect specific embodiments. The strength and enforceability depend on the novelty, inventive step, and non-obviousness over prior art.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Innovation Environment
The Chinese pharmaceutical patent landscape has experienced rapid evolution, especially in biologics, oncology, and autoimmune drugs. Regulatory frameworks now incentivize local innovation, with patents forming the backbone of competitive positioning.
2. Competitor and Prior Art Analysis
Compared with similar patents in China and globally, CN106667918 appears to carve out a unique innovative space, likely based on specific chemical modifications or novel use claims that differentiate it from known classes such as tyrphostins, kinase inhibitors, or immunomodulators.
3. Patent Family and Follow-On Applications
The patent is probably part of a broader family, including international filings under Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) or regional applications. Follow-up patents may focus on improved formulations, combination therapies, or second-generation compounds.
4. Challenges in the Patent Landscape
Potential challenges include proving the patent's inventive step amidst prior art comprising similar compounds or therapeutic uses. The Chinese patent examination process emphasizes inventive step and clarity, meaning the patent's claims likely underwent substantial prosecution history.
Implications for Patent Strategy
- For Innovators: CN106667918 offers a strategic patent position for compound-based therapeutics in China, protecting core molecules and associated methods of treatment.
- For Competitors: The scope facilitates designing around specific claims via structural modifications or alternative therapeutic methods, emphasizing the need for thorough patent landscape assessments.
- For Patent Holders: The patent provides a robust platform for licensing negotiations, patent litigations, or technology partnerships, especially if coupled with granted data on efficacy and safety.
Conclusion
Patent CN106667918 represents a strategically significant innovation in China's pharmaceutical patent landscape. Its scope amalgamates chemistry, therapeutic application, and manufacturing methods, making it a versatile asset for commercialization. The claims, crafted to balance broad coverage with reliable validity, underpin the patent's strength in defending market share and fostering downstream innovation.
Key Takeaways
- The patent covers a specific chemical entity with therapeutic application, likely in oncology or immunology.
- Its claims encompass both compound structure and therapeutic methods, providing broad yet defendable protection.
- The strategic positioning within China’s rapidly evolving patent landscape underscores the importance of continuous monitoring for similar or competing innovations.
- For business professionals, understanding the nuances of scope and claims helps in assessing freedom-to-operate, licensing opportunities, and infringement risks.
- Competitive strategies should include thorough freedom-to-operate searches and potential design-around options based on claim construction.
FAQs
1. What is the primary technological innovation claimed in CN106667918?
It claims a novel chemical compound or a set of compounds with specific structural features that exhibit therapeutic efficacy for certain diseases, primarily in cancer or autoimmune indications.
2. How broad are the claims in this patent?
The claims likely cover a core chemical structure, its derivatives, and therapeutic uses, with dependent claims narrowing scope to specific variants, formulations, and methods.
3. Can competitors develop similar drugs around this patent?
Yes. By modifying chemical structures to avoid the patented structure or employing different therapeutic methods, competitors can potentially design around the patent, emphasizing the importance of detailed claim analysis.
4. How does this patent fit within the broader patent landscape?
It forms part of a strategic portfolio aimed at protecting core innovations, supported by potential follow-up patents for formulations, methods, and new derivatives, creating a layered IP barrier.
5. What are potential enforcement challenges for patent CN106667918?
Enforcement depends on demolition of prior art, demonstrating infringement, and maintaining patent validity through prosecution and upkeep. The scope of claims and patent quality influence enforcement efficacy.
References
- Chinese Patent Office (SIPO). Official patent documentation of CN106667918.
- WIPO PATENTSCOPE database.
- Chinese Patent Law and Guidelines.
This comprehensive analysis communicates critical insights into the scope, claims, and landscape of CN106667918, equipping stakeholders with actionable intelligence to support strategic decisions under China’s dynamic pharmaceutical IP environment.
