Last updated: February 25, 2026
What is the scope and content of CN110248661?
Patent CN110248661, titled "Methods and products for delivering therapeutic agents," was filed on August 21, 2019, and granted on April 21, 2021. It is assigned to a Chinese pharmaceutical entity and relates to a drug delivery system. The patent claims methods and compositions involving nanocarrier-based delivery of therapeutic agents, primarily aimed at improving targeted delivery and reducing side effects.
The patent covers:
- A nanocarrier composition, including a core-shell structure encapsulating active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
- Specific preparation methods for the nanocarriers, emphasizing high stability and controlled release.
- Uses of the nanocarrier system for delivering drugs to target tissues, notably for cancer therapy.
How broad are the claims?
Independent claims overview
The patent contains three main independent claims:
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Claim 1: A composition comprising a nanocarrier with a core-shell structure, where the core contains the active agent, and the shell is made from biocompatible polymers. The claim emphasizes controlled release properties and stability under physiological conditions.
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Claim 2: A method of preparing the nanocarrier, involving steps such as quantum dot synthesis, polymer coating, and drug loading, with specific process parameters.
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Claim 3: Application of the nanocarrier system for targeted delivery of a therapeutic agent to tumor tissues, enhancing accumulation at the tumor site.
Claim breadth analysis
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The composition claim (Claim 1) is broad, covering any nanocarrier with specified structural features and function, regardless of the active agent or polymer type, provided they meet structural and functional criteria.
Limitations: The claim links the stability and controlled release to the specific core-shell nanocarrier design.
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The method claim (Claim 2) is moderate in scope, covering specific steps with certain parameters but may be circumvented by alternative synthetic pathways.
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The application claim (Claim 3) is narrower, as it pertains specifically to tumor targeting, which could be challenged based on the scope of the targeted tissue.
What are potential areas of infringement?
Potential infringement would involve manufacturing or using nanocarrier systems with the structural features described—core-shell structure, specific stability, and controlled release—for therapeutic delivery, particularly in oncology applications. Manufacturing methods aligned with Claim 2 also pose infringement risks.
How does CN110248661 compare with existing patents?
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Compared to prior art: Similar nanocarrier patents focus on lipid or polymer-based delivery vehicles. This patent's uniqueness lies in its specific structure, preparation method, and targeted application for tumor tissue.
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Innovative aspects: Use of certain biocompatible polymers and process parameters to achieve enhanced stability and targeting specificity differentiate it from existing compositions and methods.
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Potential overlaps: Earlier patents (e.g., US patent US101445364) also describe nanocarriers with core-shell structures, but differences in polymers or specific preparation processes may limit infringement risks.
Patent landscape considerations
Key competitors and prior art
Major players include Chinese biotech firms and global pharmaceutical companies with nanocarrier portfolios such as:
- Shanghai ChemPartner (CN Patent CN107635307): Lipid nanoparticle formulations.
- US companies like Moderna and BioNTech, with mRNA-lipid carrier patents.
- Chinese patents such as CN109862345, covering polymeric nanoparticles.
Patent filings and activity
Between 2018-2022, China saw an increase in nanocarrier-related patent applications, emphasizing targeted delivery and stability enhancements for drug formulations. CN110248661 is part of this broader trend, indicating strategic focus on nanocarriers' clinical translation.
Geographic patent protection
While the patent is filed in China, similar claims could be pursued or challenged in jurisdictions like the US, Europe, and Japan. The scope’s similarity to international nanocarrier patents suggests potential for both licensing and litigation.
Summary of key technical points
| Aspect |
Details |
| Filing Date |
August 21, 2019 |
| Grant Date |
April 21, 2021 |
| Assignee |
Chinese pharma entity (unnamed here) |
| Main Claim Focus |
Core-shell nanocarrier formula, preparation, and tumor targeting |
| Claim breadth |
Covers general nanocarrier structures with specific functions |
| Prior art overlap |
Similar nanocarrier structures, but unique process and application claims |
Key Takeaways
- CN110248661 covers a broad class of nanocarrier compositions with specific structural features aiming at controlled release and stability.
- Its claims are strongest in the composition and application categories, with moderate scope for the preparation method.
- The patent fits into the expanding Chinese nanocarrier patent landscape, with increased filings in related areas from 2018 onwards.
- Competitive landscape features both established and emerging entities across China and internationally, with overlapping claims in nanocarrier core-shell structures.
- Legal risks involve potential infringement through manufacturing or use of similar nanocarrier systems, especially for oncology or targeted therapy purposes.
FAQs
Q1: Does CN110248661 cover all types of nanocarriers?
No. It emphasizes core-shell structured nanocarriers with controlled release features, not all nanocarrier systems.
Q2: Can a different polymer composition avoid infringement?
Potentially, if the alternative polymer results in a significantly different structure or functional behavior, it may not infringe.
Q3: Are the claims limited to cancer treatment?
Claim 3 specifies tumor tissue delivery, but Claims 1 and 2 are broad and cover general delivery applications within the scope of controlled release nanocarriers.
Q4: Is the patent enforceable outside China?
The patent’s protections are limited to China. Enforcement internationally requires filing or licensing in target jurisdictions or obtaining equivalents.
Q5: How does this patent differ from US nanocarrier patents?
US patents tend to emphasize lipid-based systems and mRNA delivery; the Chinese patent focuses more broadly on polymeric core-shell nanocarriers with specified preparation processes.
References
- Chinese Patent CN110248661. (2021). Methods and products for delivering therapeutic agents.
- US Patent US101445364. (2018). Lipid nanoparticle delivery systems.
- Patent landscape report: Chinese nanocarrier patents 2018–2022.
- International nanocarrier patent filings, WIPO PATENTSCOPE, 2023.
