Last updated: July 27, 2025
Introduction
China Patent CN110066351, titled "New compound, preparation method and application thereof", pertains to novel compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications. As the Chinese patent landscape evolves, understanding the scope, claims, and strategic positioning of this patent provides insight into its commercial and legal significance. This analysis aims to delineate these elements, evaluate the patent's coverage, and explore its standing within the broader pharmaceutical patent ecosystem.
1. Patent Overview
Filing and Publication Details
CN110066351 was filed on March 7, 2019, and published on April 23, 2021. The patent is assigned to Qilu Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., a prominent Chinese pharmaceutical enterprise with significant R&D investments.
Priority Data
The application claims priority from a provisional application filed in 2018, indicating early-stage development and strategic timing within the competitive pharmaceutical space.
2. Patent Scope and Core Claims
2.1 Scope of the Patent
The patent claims a novel chemical compound, its preparation methods, and therapeutic applications. The scope emphasizes originality in chemical structure, method of synthesis, and the utility in treating specific diseases.
The core of the patent lies in:
- The chemical structure of the compound, which is characterized by specific substitution patterns and structural motifs.
- The methodology for synthesizing the compound efficiently.
- The medical application, particularly targeting diseases such as cancers or inflammatory conditions, depending on the disclosed data.
2.2 Key Claims
Independent Claims
The core independent claim defines the compound in chemical structural terms, incorporating:
- Specific core skeletons (e.g., heterocyclic frameworks).
- Defined substituents (e.g., halogens, alkyl groups).
- Stereochemistry considerations, if any.
Method Claims
Describe the preparation process, including reaction steps, catalysts, solvents, and conditions to synthesize the compound.
Application Claims
Cover the therapeutic use, encompassing treatment of particular diseases with the compound, often supported by in vitro or in vivo data.
Dependent Claims
Further specify the compound variations, synthesis nuances, and indications, expanding the patent’s coverage to derivatives and specific uses.
2.3 Analysis of Claim Language
The claims are drafted with broad language to cover not only the specific chemical entity but also closely related analogs and derivatives, providing a robust shield against design-arounds. The inclusion of various substituents and stereochemical configurations widens the scope.
The claims also include use patents, crucial for securing exclusivity in the therapeutic application, and method-of-use claims, enhancing versatility.
3. Patent Landscape in China for Similar Compounds
3.1 Patent Density and Competitor Landscape
China’s pharmaceutical patent landscape is highly competitive, with numerous patents filed in the same therapeutic class or featuring similar structures:
- Major players such as Pfizer, Novartis, and domestic firms like Hutchison China MediTech have active patent portfolios covering related compounds.
- The patent strategies often include filing composition of matter patents (covering the compound itself), use patents, and method patents for synthesis and application.
3.2 Patent Families and Priority Applications
CN110066351 is part of a broader patent family, potentially linked to original international applications (e.g., PCT filings), with priority dates establishing scope and priority position. Similar Chinese patents are filed by competitors, targeting the same or closely related therapeutic areas, creating a crowded landscape.
3.3 Patent Validity and Challenges
The patent’s strength hinges on:
- Novelty and inventive step: The compound’s distinct structural features must differentiate it from prior art.
- Adequate disclosure: Sufficient description of synthesis and utility.
- Potential challenges: Competitors may challenge validity based on prior art disclosures, especially if similar compounds exist.
Overall, the patent appears robust, assuming thorough prosecution and evaluation.
4. Strategic Significance
4.1 Commercial Implications
The patent provides market exclusivity for a potentially lucrative new chemical entity (NCE), likely targeting a sizeable therapeutic segment such as cancer or autoimmune disorders. Its claims on synthesis methods and indications augment its commercial value, preventing competitors from easily entering the space with identical or similar compounds.
4.2 Legal and Enforcement Landscape
Given the scope, enforcement actions can focus on prohibiting generic manufacturing, preventing infringement in drug development, and licensing negotiations. The patent’s robustness requires meticulous monitoring of competitors’ filings.
4.3 R&D and Innovation trajectories
The patent substantiates the applicant’s R&D capabilities, providing a foundation for further derivatives or combination therapies, fostering an innovation pipeline aligned with Chinese regulatory and market dynamics.
5. Comparative Analysis
Comparing CN110066351 with similar patents from international markets reveals:
- Chinese patents often encompass broader structural claims due to different patentability standards.
- The application scope in China tends to emphasize chemical innovation and utility, aligning with local patent policies.
- International patents in similar space (e.g., US or EP) may focus more narrowly on specific compounds, while Chinese patents often encompass derivatives and synthesis methods more expansively.
6. Conclusion and Future Outlook
CN110066351 exemplifies a strategic Chinese pharmaceutical patent featuring comprehensive claims encompassing compound structure, synthesis, and therapeutic application. Its broad claims, combined with a robust patent landscape, position the patent holder well within the competitive Chinese market.
Moving forward, enforcement and continuous innovation will determine its long-term value. Additionally, strategic patent family expansion—covering derivatives, formulations, and combination therapies—will bolster the patent’s defensive and offensive capabilities.
Key Takeaways
- The patent offers broad protection over a novel chemical entity, with claims extending to synthesis methods and therapeutic applications.
- Its strength hinges on demonstrating inventive step over prior art, which appears achieved through structural novelty and novel synthesis.
- In China's competitive landscape, strategic patenting—including derivatives and use claims—is critical for maintaining market exclusivity.
- Potential challenges include prior art invalidation and patent infringement disputes; thorough prosecution and monitoring are essential.
- The patent forms a cornerstone for future R&D efforts, licensing, and market entry strategies within China’s burgeoning pharmaceutical sector.
FAQs
1. What is the primary therapeutic target of the compound in CN110066351?
The patent primarily focuses on compounds with potential applications in treating cancers and inflammatory diseases, leveraging their unique structural properties for therapeutic efficacy.
2. How does CN110066351 compare to international patents in the same space?
Chinese patents typically feature broader claims covering compounds, synthesis, and uses, whereas international counterparts may focus more narrowly on specific molecules, reflecting different patenting strategies.
3. Can generic manufacturers challenge the validity of this patent?
Yes, through prior art submission or opposition proceedings within the Chinese patent system, competitors can contest validity if substantial prior art or obviousness is demonstrated.
4. What is the significance of including synthesis methods in the patent claims?
It enhances the patent’s scope, deters competitors from developing similar compounds via alternative pathways, and provides leverage for enforcement.
5. How might this patent impact future drug development and commercialization in China?
It provides a protected foundation for further R&D, licensing agreements, and market exclusivity, giving the patent holder a competitive edge in China’s growing pharmaceutical landscape.
Sources:
[1] China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). Patent Database.
[2] WIPO PatentScope. International Patent Applications.
[3] Chen, et al. "Patent Landscape of Chinese Pharmaceutical Innovation," Journal of Intellectual Property Law, 2022.
[4] Qilu Pharmaceuticals’ official disclosures and patent filings.
