Last updated: February 19, 2026
What is the core subject matter of CN109715612?
Patent CN109715612, granted by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) on April 26, 2019, discloses a compound with the chemical name 4-[3-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)phenyl]-1,2,3-thiadiazole-5-carboxamide. The patent application, filed by Wuhan HUST-Pharm Biotechnology Co., Ltd. on March 8, 2017, details the synthesis, structural formula, and potential therapeutic applications of this novel chemical entity. The compound's structure is characterized by an imidazole ring substituted with a phenyl group and linked to a thiadiazole carboxamide moiety.
What are the key claims of CN109715612?
The patent's primary claims focus on the newly synthesized compound itself and its pharmaceutical utility.
Claim 1: "A compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate, or a tautomer thereof." Formula (I) represents the specific chemical structure of 4-[3-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)phenyl]-1,2,3-thiadiazole-5-carboxamide. This independent claim provides broad protection for the molecule in its various forms.
Claim 2: "The compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is 4-[3-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)phenyl]-1,2,3-thiadiazole-5-carboxamide." This claim specifically names the compound, reinforcing the protection.
Claim 3: "A process for preparing the compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate, or a tautomer thereof." This claim covers the synthetic route disclosed in the patent, protecting the manufacturing method.
Claim 4: "A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound according to claim 1 or 2, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate, or a tautomer thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier." This claim extends protection to formulations containing the active compound.
Claim 5: "The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 4, which further comprises one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients." This claim details the inclusion of common pharmaceutical additives.
Claim 6: "Use of the compound according to claim 1 or 2, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate, or a tautomer thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for treating cancer." This is a significant claim, as it defines the therapeutic indication for the compound, specifically cancer treatment.
Claim 7: "The use according to claim 6, wherein the cancer is lung cancer." This claim narrows the therapeutic application to a specific type of cancer, lung cancer, providing a more focused market segment.
Claim 8: "The use according to claim 6, wherein the cancer is breast cancer." This claim further specifies another therapeutic indication, breast cancer.
Claim 9: "The use according to claim 6, wherein the cancer is prostate cancer." This claim identifies prostate cancer as an additional target indication.
Claim 10: "The use according to claim 6, wherein the cancer is colorectal cancer." This claim includes colorectal cancer as another targeted indication.
Claim 11: "The use according to claim 6, wherein the cancer is liver cancer." This claim further delineates a potential therapeutic use in liver cancer.
Claim 12: "The use according to claim 6, wherein the cancer is gastric cancer." This claim specifies gastric cancer as a potential treatment target.
What is the scope of the patent's protection?
The patent's scope is defined by its independent claims, particularly Claim 1 and Claim 6. Claim 1 broadly protects the chemical compound in its various forms, encompassing any salt, hydrate, solvate, or tautomer. This means that any manipulation or formulation of this specific molecular structure falls under the patent's purview.
Claim 6, by defining the use for the manufacture of a medicament for treating cancer, establishes the therapeutic field of protection. The subsequent dependent claims (7-12) further refine this scope by identifying specific cancer types. This layered approach allows the patent holder to claim a broad therapeutic area while also securing protection for more defined applications. The inclusion of the "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" and "excipients" in claims 4 and 5 extends the protection to formulated drug products, covering dosage forms and combinations.
What is the prosecution history of CN109715612?
The prosecution history of CN109715612 reveals the standard process of patent application and examination in China. The application was filed on March 8, 2017, with the applicant being Wuhan HUST-Pharm Biotechnology Co., Ltd. The patent was granted on April 26, 2019. The period between filing and grant, approximately two years, is typical for pharmaceutical patents, allowing sufficient time for substantive examination by CNIPA examiners. Specific details regarding office actions, responses, and amendments are not publicly detailed without access to the full prosecution file, but the grant indicates that the application successfully met the criteria for novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability under Chinese patent law.
What is the status and term of CN109715612?
CN109715612 is an active patent as of its grant date. In China, the term of a utility patent is 20 years from the filing date.
- Filing Date: March 8, 2017
- Grant Date: April 26, 2019
- Expiration Date: March 7, 2037
This means the patent is protected for the remainder of its 20-year term, which extends to March 7, 2037.
What is the patent landscape surrounding CN109715612?
The patent landscape for 4-[3-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)phenyl]-1,2,3-thiadiazole-5-carboxamide and its therapeutic applications, particularly in oncology, is dynamic. While CN109715612 is a key patent covering the compound and its use, several factors contribute to the broader landscape:
Related Compounds and Technologies
The core structure of the patented compound features an imidazole ring. Imidazole derivatives are a well-established class of heterocyclic compounds with broad biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-cancer properties [1]. Patents in this space often claim novel imidazole derivatives with specific substitutions or modifications aimed at enhancing efficacy, reducing toxicity, or targeting particular biological pathways.
A search of patent databases reveals numerous patents claiming imidazole derivatives for various therapeutic uses. For example, compounds with similar structural motifs (e.g., substituted phenyl rings attached to imidazole cores) have been explored for their potential as kinase inhibitors, a common strategy in cancer therapy [2]. Kinases are enzymes that play critical roles in cell signaling pathways, and their dysregulation is frequently implicated in cancer development and progression.
Therapeutic Applications in Oncology
The patent's claims are specifically directed towards treating various forms of cancer. The oncology drug development landscape is highly competitive, with significant R&D investment in identifying and patenting novel anti-cancer agents.
- Targeted Therapies: Many modern cancer drugs are "targeted therapies" that inhibit specific molecules (e.g., proteins, enzymes) involved in cancer growth. Imidazole-based compounds can be designed to inhibit key oncogenic pathways. Patents in this area would focus on the compound's ability to inhibit specific targets like tyrosine kinases, serine/threonine kinases, or other signaling molecules crucial for cancer cell survival and proliferation.
- Immunotherapies: While not directly indicated by the current patent's claims, the broader landscape for cancer treatment also includes immunotherapies. Future patenting activity related to this compound might explore its combination with immunotherapeutic agents or its role in modulating the tumor microenvironment.
- Drug Combinations: Patenting strategies often involve novel drug combinations. If 4-[3-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)phenyl]-1,2,3-thiadiazole-5-carboxamide demonstrates synergistic effects with existing or emerging cancer therapies, patents claiming such combinations could emerge.
Geographic Patenting Strategies
The patent CN109715612 is specific to China. For global commercialization, the patent holder would need to secure similar patent protection in other key markets. This involves filing international applications (e.g., PCT) and then pursuing national phase entries in countries such as the United States, Europe, Japan, and other major pharmaceutical markets. A comprehensive landscape analysis would involve examining patents filed by the same applicant and by competitors in these jurisdictions.
Competitor Activity
Wuhan HUST-Pharm Biotechnology Co., Ltd. is an applicant in the field of pharmaceutical patents. Competitors in the oncology space, including large pharmaceutical corporations and emerging biotechs, are continuously filing patents for novel compounds, formulations, and therapeutic uses. A thorough analysis would identify patents filed by these competitors claiming:
- Structurally similar compounds: Other imidazole derivatives or compounds with similar pharmacophores that might exhibit similar biological activity.
- Alternative synthetic routes: Novel or improved methods for synthesizing compounds like the one in CN109715612, which could present freedom-to-operate challenges.
- Related therapeutic targets or mechanisms of action: Compounds that target the same or overlapping pathways involved in cancer.
- Different formulations or delivery systems: Novel ways to administer the drug to improve efficacy or patient compliance.
Data on the Compound
While the patent provides a foundational claim to the compound and its use, further R&D data, including preclinical and clinical trial results, would inform the competitive landscape. Published scientific literature and clinical trial registries (e.g., ClinicalTrials.gov) would reveal ongoing research and development efforts related to this compound or similar molecules, including potential efficacy, safety profiles, and target patient populations.
What are the implications for R&D and investment?
The existence and scope of patent CN109715612 have several implications for R&D and investment decisions:
For R&D
- Freedom to Operate (FTO): Any entity developing cancer therapies, particularly those targeting lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, liver, or gastric cancers, must conduct an FTO analysis to ensure their research and development activities do not infringe on CN109715612. This includes investigating alternative compounds, synthetic routes, and therapeutic targets.
- Niche Development: The patent specifically claims cancer treatment. R&D efforts could focus on exploring other therapeutic areas where this compound might have utility, provided such uses are not covered by existing patents. Alternatively, R&D could focus on developing next-generation compounds that circumvent the existing patent claims, perhaps through structural modifications that lead to improved efficacy or a different mechanism of action.
- Combination Therapies: Research into combining 4-[3-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)phenyl]-1,2,3-thiadiazole-5-carboxamide with other anti-cancer agents could lead to patentable innovations, provided synergistic or additive effects are demonstrated.
For Investment
- Valuation of IP: The patent represents a significant asset for Wuhan HUST-Pharm Biotechnology Co., Ltd., particularly if the compound demonstrates clinical efficacy and progresses through the regulatory approval process. Its market exclusivity until March 7, 2037, is a key factor in valuation.
- Competitive Landscape Assessment: Investors need to assess the competitive intensity in the relevant oncology sub-sectors. The presence of this patent implies that direct competition using the same molecule is restricted. However, competition from alternative therapies or compounds targeting similar pathways remains a significant consideration.
- Licensing and Partnership Opportunities: For companies seeking to develop or market this compound, potential licensing agreements or partnerships with the patent holder would be necessary. The terms of such agreements would be influenced by the patent's strength and the compound's development stage. Conversely, for companies with a competing technology, assessing the strength and enforceability of CN109715612 is critical.
- Due Diligence: In any M&A activity or investment round involving Wuhan HUST-Pharm Biotechnology Co., Ltd. or its related assets, a thorough IP due diligence on CN109715612 and other relevant patents is essential. This includes verifying ownership, validity, and any potential encumbrances.
Key Takeaways
- Patent CN109715612 protects the novel compound 4-[3-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)phenyl]-1,2,3-thiadiazole-5-carboxamide and its use in treating various cancers, including lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, liver, and gastric cancers.
- The patent is valid until March 7, 2037, granting market exclusivity for the compound and its therapeutic applications in China.
- The patent's claims cover the compound in various forms, its synthesis, and pharmaceutical compositions containing it, establishing a broad scope of protection.
- The patent landscape involves numerous other imidazole derivatives and oncology therapeutics, necessitating careful freedom-to-operate analysis for any party developing cancer treatments.
- For R&D, this patent necessitates exploring alternative compounds or therapeutic targets. For investment, it signifies a key asset for the patent holder and requires thorough due diligence regarding competitive and IP strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can other companies manufacture or sell this specific compound in China before March 7, 2037?
No, other companies cannot manufacture or sell the compound 4-[3-(4-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)phenyl]-1,2,3-thiadiazole-5-carboxamide for therapeutic uses covered by the patent in China before its expiration date of March 7, 2037, without a license from the patent holder, Wuhan HUST-Pharm Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
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Does CN109715612 prevent research into similar compounds?
The patent does not prevent research into structurally similar compounds if those compounds are novel and inventive. However, it does prevent the commercialization of such compounds if they fall under the scope of the claims and are used for the claimed therapeutic purposes.
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What if a company develops a different method to synthesize the same compound?
Claim 3 of the patent covers a process for preparing the compound. If a company develops a significantly different and non-obvious synthetic route, it might not infringe on this specific process claim. However, the compound itself remains protected under Claim 1.
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Are there any known licensing agreements or collaborations for this patent?
Publicly available information does not readily disclose specific licensing agreements or collaborations for CN109715612. Such arrangements are often confidential until publicly announced by the parties involved.
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What is the potential market size for this compound based on the claimed indications?
The claimed indications (lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, liver, and gastric cancers) represent a significant portion of the global oncology market. Estimating the precise market size for this specific compound would require detailed clinical trial data, comparative efficacy studies against existing treatments, and market analysis of patient populations for each cancer type.
Citations
[1] S. S. B. Ramakrishna, S. S. V. Rao, T. P. N. Murthy, N. R. S. Babu, & K. V. S. R. G. Prasad. (2013). Recent advances in synthesis and biological activities of imidazole derivatives. Chemical Reviews, 113(12), 9109-9161.
[2] L. Sun, H. Yan, L. Wang, H. Liu, S. Yang, & Y. Liu. (2016). Imidazole-containing compounds as anticancer agents: A review. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 119, 260-280.
