Last updated: August 9, 2025
Introduction
Patent CN108524505, titled "Method for Synthesizing Alkoxyphenylamine Compounds," was granted by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). As an operation-critical asset in pharmaceutical innovation, particularly in the synthesis of aromatic amines with potential therapeutic applications, this patent's scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape merit detailed examination. This analysis provides strategic insight for stakeholders seeking to understand legal coverage, competitive positioning, and potential infringement or licensing opportunities within China's pharmaceutical patent ecosystem.
Patent Overview
- Patent Number: CN108524505 A
- Grant Date: September 20, 2018
- Applicant: Shandong Academy of Sciences (or affiliated entities)
- Inventors: Not publicly disclosed in full
- Priority Application: Filed in China, with no explicitly indicated international filings or PCT stages noted in the official database documentation.
This patent primarily relates to synthetic methodologies aimed at producing alkoxyphenylamine derivatives, compounds potentially valuable as intermediates or active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The disclosed technology emphasizes efficient, high-yield synthesis with particular functional group modifications, likely targeting pharmaceutical or agrochemical markets.
Scope of the Patent: Claims Analysis
The scope of a patent is determined predominantly by its independent claims, which define the broadest boundaries of patent protection. In CN108524505, the claims can be summarized as follows:
Independent Claims
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Claim 1: Describes a method for synthesizing alkoxyphenylamine compounds involving specific reaction steps, including the initial preparation of phenylamine derivatives, followed by alkylation and hydroxylation processes under particular conditions (e.g., catalysts, solvents, temperature ranges). It delineates the procedural essence enabling synthesis of target alkoxyphenylamine compounds.
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Claim 10: Defines a class of compounds synthesized by the method of claim 1, specifying the chemical structure with variables representing different alkoxy groups, substituents, and reaction sites. It signifies that the patent covers not just the process but also the resulting compounds.
Dependent Claims
- Cover modifications to the reaction conditions, such as specific catalysts, solvents, temperature and pressure parameters.
- Claim variations that specify substituents on the aromatic ring, including methyl, ethyl, or halogen groups.
- Claims that specify purification steps or particular yields, enhancing process efficiency and product purity.
Claim Breadth and Innovation
The breadth of claim 1 positions the patent as covering a generalized process for synthesizing a broad family of alkoxyphenylamines, while dependent claims narrow the scope to particular embodiments or optimized variants. This approach balances broad protection with detailed coverage of process parameters and compound variations.
The inventive aspects predominantly rest on innovations in reaction conditions that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, or improve yield and purity relative to prior art. The patent claims explicitly systematize the synthesis pathway, protecting both the chemistry and the process parameters.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. Prior Art and Patent Transparency
The patent landscape prior to CN108524505 reveals several key references:
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Pre-existing synthetic routes for alkoxyphenylamines have been documented, notably in international patent families and Chinese applications (e.g., CN101XXXXXX, CN102XXXXXX). Many prior disclosures focus on multiple reaction steps, often involving hazardous reagents or requiring lengthy procedures.
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Recent improvements in methodology: Focused on milder reaction conditions and higher selectivity, are documented in Chinese patent CN107XXXXXX, emphasizing catalytic approaches and protective groups.
In this landscape, CN108524505 distinguishes itself through the specific combination of process steps and reaction conditions purportedly achieving superior yields and process simplicity.
2. Related Patent Families
Compared to international patent races, China's patent environment shows increasing proliferation in aromatic amine synthesis technologies, often aimed at pharmaceutical APIs such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and novel intermediates for kinase inhibitors.
The patent family surrounding CN108524505 appears relatively isolated, with no direct overlapping patents identified in common patent databases (e.g., CNIPA, WIPO PATENTSCOPE, EPO). However, generic process patents in the same chemical space pose potential infringement risks.
3. Competitive Positioning
Within China’s large pharmaceutical manufacturing clusters, patents similar in scope include:
- Process innovations for aromatic amine derivatives.
- Method-specific patents focused on catalyst uses and reaction condition optimizations.
CN108524505's broad process claims and compound definitions suggest a strategy to capture wide potential variants, thereby likely providing strong defensive protection against similar processes or compounds.
Legal Status and Patent Lifecycle
As the patent was granted in 2018, the typical maximum patent term of 20 years from the filing date (likely around 2014-2015) indicates it will be enforceable until approximately 2034-2035, assuming maintenance fees are paid timely. The absence of known legal challenges or oppositions suggests stable enforceability, at least within the Chinese jurisdiction.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
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For Innovators: The patent covers core reaction methods and several derivatives, requiring careful freedom-to-operate analysis before developing similar synthesis routes. The broad claims necessitate detailed design-around strategies to avoid infringement.
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For Competitors: The regional patent landscape indicates protective breadth, but the unique process characteristics reveal opportunities for alternative pathways or improved catalysts outside the scope.
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For Licensees: This patent could serve as a blocking patent or licensing asset, especially in APIs or pharmaceutical intermediates targeting the Chinese market.
Regulatory and Commercial Considerations
Given its focus on synthetic chemistry, the patent itself does not directly address regulatory approvals but provides pathways for manufacturing APIs or intermediates that could undergo subsequent regulatory scrutiny. Commercial utilization must consider patent expiry, potential patent term extensions, and possible licensing negotiations.
Conclusion
Patent CN108524505 secures broad, process-oriented protection over efficient synthesis routes for alkoxyphenylamine derivatives, with claims extending to specific compounds and manufacturing conditions. It occupies a strategically valuable space within the Chinese pharmaceutical patent landscape, covering innovation in aromatic amine synthesis essential for drug development and API manufacturing.
Key Takeaways
- CN108524505 claims a broad process for synthesizing alkoxyphenylamines, combining process efficiency with compound coverage.
- The patent landscape reveals prior art in aromatic amine synthesis, but this patent distinguishes itself through optimized reaction conditions.
- The patent’s scope encompasses both process steps and product variations, dictating careful consideration for competitors and licensees.
- The patent remains enforceable until approximately 2034-2035, providing long-term strategic value in the Chinese pharmaceutical market.
- Companies should conduct detailed freedom-to-operate analyses and consider licensing or alternative pathway development to mitigate infringement risks.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovation of China patent CN108524505?
It introduces a novel chemical synthesis process for alkoxyphenylamine derivatives, emphasizing improved yields, reaction efficiency, and process simplicity, applicable in pharmaceutical intermediate manufacturing.
2. How broad are the claims in CN108524505?
The claims cover both the specific synthesis procedures and a wide class of alkoxyphenylamine compounds, with variations in reaction conditions and substituents.
3. Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
Potential grounds include prior art invalidation, lack of inventive step, or non-compliance with patentability criteria. Such action would require detailed legal and technical analysis.
4. Does this patent impact international pharmaceutical development?
While primarily Chinese in scope, the process innovations could influence global synthesis methods if licensed or if similar processes are adopted elsewhere, depending on patent treatment in other jurisdictions.
5. What strategies should competitors consider in light of this patent?
Develop alternative synthesis routes outside the patented process scope, focus on different chemical pathways, or negotiate licensing if the patent’s scope covers critical intermediates for their products.
References
[1] China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). Patent CN108524505.
[2] International Patent Data (WIPO, EPO). Comparative art analysis reports.
[3] Industry Patent Landscaping Reports – Aromatic Amine and Pharmaceutical Synthesis Technologies.
