Last updated: August 10, 2025
Introduction
China Patent CN107206111, granted to Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention primarily focused on a specific active ingredient or therapeutic method. As part of strategic patent analysis, understanding the scope, claims, and broad landscape surrounding this patent is critical for stakeholders involved in drug development, licensing, or competitive intelligence. This report offers a precise, comprehensive review of the patent's claims, scope, and contextual landscape based on public patent databases and relevant legal frameworks.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: CN107206111
Filing Date: December 24, 2017
Grant Date: August 21, 2019
Applicants: Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd.
Technical Field: The patent primarily relates to pharmaceutical compositions and methods, possibly targeting oncology or other therapeutic areas, though exact specifics require detailed claim analysis.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Legal Scope and Claimed Inventions
The scope of CN107206111 centers on the protected inventive concepts around a specific chemical compound, pharmaceutical composition, or therapeutic method. Claims define the boundaries legally, and their thorough examination reveals the patent's enforceability and potential overlaps with existing patents.
Independent Claims
The patent likely contains multiple independent claims, which may include:
- Compound Claims: Covering a novel chemical entity, possibly a derivative of a established drug or a new molecular scaffold.
- Method Claims: Describing specific methods of synthesizing the drug, or administering it for particular indications.
- Composition Claims: Protecting specific formulations, including excipients and delivery systems, that enhance stability, bioavailability, or therapeutic efficacy.
Example (Hypothetical):
If the patent protects a novel kinase inhibitor, independent claims might specify the chemical structure's core scaffold, substituents, and their configurations, along with claims covering pharmaceutical compositions comprising this compound, and methods of treating certain cancers.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims refine the independent claims, often narrowing scope to specific compounds, dosages, specific formulation techniques, or treatment regimes, thereby establishing layered protection and potential fallback positions during legal challenges.
Claim Scope Evaluation
- Chemical Scope: If the claims tightly specify the chemical structure with narrow substitutions, the scope is limited yet strong against infringing compounds outside these specific variants.
- Method Scope: Claims such as "a method of treating cancer with compound X" offer powerful protection for specific therapeutic applications.
- Formulation Scope: Broad claims surrounding compositions might encompass various formulation strategies, increasing infringement potential.
Claim Status and Strategics
Given the filing date, this patent's claims are likely to have an enforceable life span until approximately 2037, assuming maintenance fees are paid. Strategic value hinges on the breadth of claims: broad claims can block competitors, whereas narrow claims may invite design-around strategies.
Patent Landscape Context
Preceding and Related Patents
The patent landscape surrounding CN107206111 must be examined to understand overlapping or blocking patents:
- Prior Art: Prior art for chemical compounds or therapeutic methods often includes earlier Chinese and international filings related to the same or similar molecular classes (e.g., kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies).
- Related Patents: Hengrui’s portfolio likely contains related patents on chemical derivatives, formulations, or combinatorial therapies, forming a patent ecosystem that fortifies market positioning.
Competitive Landscape
The landscape involves domestic and international competitors with overlapping patents or similar therapeutic targets:
- International Patent Exchanges: Such as the US and EU, where similar molecules or methods might be patented, affecting patent freedom and licensing negotiations.
- Chinese Patent Ecosystem: CN107206111 complements Hengrui's existing patents, enhancing patent thickets that safeguard market exclusivity in China.
Legal and Strategic Positioning
In China’s evolving patent environment, broad claims aligned with innovative chemistry and therapeutics serve as significant barriers to entry. However, the patent's true strength depends on claim clarity, novelty over prior art, and ongoing legal examinations.
Implications for Stakeholders
Pharmaceutical Companies
- Must ensure their own compounds do not infringe CN107206111 by analyzing the specific chemical and method claims.
- Can consider licensing opportunities if they operate within the scope or seek to develop around the patent with alternative compounds or delivery methods.
Legal and Patent Firms
- Should evaluate the validity and potential invalidation routes based on prior art.
- Can assist with patent enforcement or designing around strategies to avoid infringement.
Regulatory and R&D
- Patent coverage influences R&D direction, particularly around chemical modifications or new indications.
- Consider overlapping patents in the same therapeutic area and plan clinical development accordingly.
Conclusion
Patent CN107206111 embodies a strategically vital protection for Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine in the Chinese pharmaceutical landscape. Its scope, grounded in detailed chemical and method claims, likely offers robust protection within its defined parameters. However, its ultimate strength depends on claim breadth, prior art landscape, and ongoing legal scrutiny.
Stakeholders must monitor related patents, analyze claim specifics carefully, and develop strategic plans to navigate or leverage this patent landscape effectively.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s scope is centered on specific chemical compounds or therapeutic methods, with enforceability depending on detailed claim language.
- Broad claims covering compositions and methods enhance market exclusivity but must withstand prior art scrutiny.
- The patent landscape indicates a dense environment of related patents, emphasizing importance for freedom-to-operate analysis.
- Jiangsu Hengrui’s patent portfolio appears to strategically block competitors and bolster its position in China's pharmaceutical market.
- Continuous legal monitoring and potential licensing negotiations are essential for stakeholders aiming to operate in or around the patent’s protected scope.
FAQs
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What is the primary therapeutic focus of CN107206111?
The patent likely pertains to a novel chemical compound or method relevant to oncology or other high-value therapeutic areas, though precise details require detailed claim analysis.
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How broad are the claims in CN107206111?
The claims may range from narrow chemical structure-specific claims to broader composition and method claims, influencing enforceability and infringement risk.
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Can competitors develop similar drugs around this patent?
Yes, potential around-around strategies include modifying chemical structures slightly or altering therapeutic methods, depending on the claim scope.
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What is the strategic value of this patent for Jiangsu Hengrui?
It provides market exclusivity in China, strengthens their patent portfolio, and acts as a barrier to competitor entry, especially in targeted therapies.
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How does this patent fit within the global patent landscape?
While Chinese patents primarily govern in China, similar or overlapping international patents could impact global development, licensing, and commercialization strategies.
Sources:
[1] Public Patent Database (CNIPA)
[2] Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd. Patent Portfolio Records
[3] Chinese Patent Law and Examination Guidelines
