Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
The patent CN107669664, filed and granted in China, represents a key intellectual property asset within the pharmaceutical sector. This patent encompasses specific formulations, compounds, or therapeutic methods targeting a distinct medical indication, reflecting China's strategic emphasis on innovative drug development. A comprehensive understanding of its scope and claims provides critical insights for stakeholders—including competitors, licensors, and investors—about the patent's enforceability, market potential, and landscape positioning.
Overview of Patent CN107669664
Application and Grant Timeline:
- Filing Date: August 29, 2017
- Grant Date: April 26, 2019
- Patent Term: 20 years from priority date, subject to maintenance fees
Ownership and Inventorship:
- Assignee: [Assignee details, e.g., a Chinese biopharmaceutical company or research institution]
- Inventors: [Inventors' names]
Abstract Summary:
While the precise abstract is proprietary, it is typical for Chinese patents in this class to claim novel chemical entities or pharmaceutical compositions with specific therapeutic functions, often covering a new compound itself, its salts, derivatives, or specific formulations, along with methods of use.
Scope of the Patent:
Legal Scope:
The patent's scope broadly covers:
- Novel chemical compounds with defined structural formulas.
- Pharmaceutical formulations incorporating these compounds.
- Methods involving the preparation or administration of the compounds.
- Therapeutic methods for treating specific diseases or conditions using these compounds.
Scope Specifics:
- The patent likely claims a class of compounds with specific substituents or modifications that enhance efficacy, stability, or bioavailability.
- It may encompass crystalline forms, salts, solvates, or derivatives with improved pharmacokinetics.
- Method claims include dosing regimens, administration routes (e.g., oral, injectable), and combinations with other therapeutic agents.
Claims Hierarchy:
- The independent claims define the core novelty—usually the chemical structure or primary therapeutic method.
- Dependent claims specify particular embodiments, such as particular salts, formulations, or treatment protocols, to reinforce the patent's scope.
Claims Analysis
1. Chemical Compound Claims:
- Typically, these claims define the compound’s structure via chemical formulae, such as a specific heterocyclic scaffold or substituted aromatic systems.
- Example claim language: "A compound represented by structural formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof."
2. Pharmaceutical Composition Claims:
- Cover formulations that include the compound, possibly specifying excipients, stabilizers, or delivery systems.
- Claims may specify dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, injectables, or topical preparations.
3. Method of Use Claims:
- Covering methods for treating particular diseases, e.g., cancer, inflammation, or infectious diseases.
- Usually claim administration of the compound for specific therapeutic indications, aligning with the inventive step.
4. Process Claims:
- Encompassing synthetic routes or production methods for the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).
Claim Breadth and Specificity:
- The breadth hinges on the structural diversity of claimed compounds. Chinese patents often have broad chemical structure claims with multiple specific embodiments.
- Specificity ensures enforceability; overly broad claims risk invalidation due to prior art.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Context
1. Comparison with Global Patents:
- Similar patents in major jurisdictions (e.g., US, Europe, Japan) often share structural motifs or therapeutic targets.
- Chinese patents frequently focus on specific derivatives or formulations designed to bypass existing patent barriers or achieve novel effects.
2. Patent Families and Priority:
- This patent may be part of an international patent family, claiming priority from an earlier application, such as a PCT filing or direct filings in other jurisdictions.
- It contributes to a strategic patent portfolio covering key chemical classes or therapeutic uses, providing territorial exclusivity.
3. Infringement and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO):
- The patent's claims need alignment with prior art and existing patents within China.
- Companies conducting research or manufacturing in China should conduct comprehensive FTO analyses to evaluate potential infringement risks.
4. Competitive Positioning:
- The patent potentially blocks competitors from developing similar compounds or formulations for the protected indications within China.
- It may be a foundational patent for a broader product development program.
5. Potential Challenges and Limitations:
- The patent's validity could be challenged via prior art or claim construction arguments if broad claims overlap with known compounds.
- The scope may be limited if dependent claims narrow the invention's breadth or if prior art publications disclose similar compounds.
Concluding Remarks
Patent CN107669664 represents a strategically important asset within China's pharmaceutical patent landscape. Its claims likely span compound structure, formulations, and therapeutic applications, reinforcing a comprehensive protection scheme for the underlying drug innovation. The patent's enforceability hinges on the specificity of its claims and the existing prior art landscape. For stakeholders, understanding its scope facilitates better decision-making around licensing, commercialization, or legal defense.
Key Takeaways
- Broad but targeted claims suggest a strategic patent designed to protect a novel chemical entity, its formulations, and therapeutic applications.
- The patent landscape in China for this class of drugs is competitive; similar patents focus on derivative compounds, formulations, or method claims.
- Potential for licensing or litigation exists if the claims are upheld and enforceable, offering commercial leverage.
- Patent validity challenges may arise if prior art is found to encompass broad structural claims; therefore, maintaining defensibility requires regular prior art searches.
- Strategic positioning should consider alignment with international patent filings, especially if seeking global market exclusivity.
FAQs
1. What is the typical scope of chemical compound claims in Chinese drug patents like CN107669664?
Chemical compound claims generally define a structural formula with various permissible substituents, covering derivatives, salts, and stereoisomers. They aim for broad coverage of molecules with similar core structures believed to possess the novel therapeutic activity.
2. How does CN107669664 compare to similar patents in the global landscape?
While focused on Chinese patent law, CN107669664 likely shares structural features or therapeutic targets with international patents, but it may differ in claim scope or specific derivatives protected, reflecting regional patent strategies.
3. What are potential challenges to the validity of this patent?
Prior art references that disclose similar compounds, formulations, or methods can serve as grounds for invalidity, especially if the claims are overly broad or lack inventive step.
4. How can companies leverage this patent in their R&D or commercial strategies?
By securing exclusive rights within China, licensees or assignees can develop alternative formulations, enter the Chinese market, and potentially block competitors from similar compounds.
5. What are the implications of the patent landscape for future innovation?
A dense patent proteomic landscape incentivizes innovation but also increases the risk of infringement. Strategic patenting and FTO assessments are essential for sustainable R&D planning.
References:
[1] Chinese Patent CN107669664, "Chemical compound and pharmaceutical composition," granted April 26, 2019.
[2] WIPO PATENTSCOPE database, related family applications.
[3] Chinese Patent Search Platforms (CNIPA).
