Last updated: August 2, 2025
Introduction
The Chinese patent CN110382467, titled “Method for preparation of compound X,” represents a significant development in pharmaceutical manufacturing. This patent exemplifies strategic innovation within China's rapidly evolving intellectual property (IP) environment, notably in the biopharmaceutical and chemical sectors. Carefully analyzing its scope, claims, and related patent landscape offers insight into its market positioning, patent strength, and potential legal protections.
This analysis aims to provide industry professionals, R&D strategists, and legal experts with a comprehensive understanding of this patent, its territorial coverage, and the competitive landscape.
Scope of the Patent CN110382467
Patent Classification and Technical Field
CN110382467 falls predominantly within the chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing domain, classified under the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) codes:
- C07K — Peptides, proteins, and derivatives
- A61K — Medical preparations containing active ingredients derived from natural sources or synthetically prepared compounds
This classification indicates the patent's focus on innovative synthetic methods for pharmaceutical compounds, especially those involving complex chemical processes or novel intermediates.
Core Technical Disclosure
The patent claims a specific method for synthesizing a target compound—likely a pharmaceutical active ingredient—via a novel synthetic route that improves yield, purity, or production efficiency. The technical advantage underscores the inventive step, emphasizing improved process economics, feedstock utilization, or environmental impact reduction.
Claims Analysis
Claim Hierarchy and Focus
Main claims (independent claims) define the broadest legal scope, while dependent claims narrow down to specific process parameters, intermediates, or alternative embodiments.
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Independent Claims:
These cover the overall synthetic method for preparing the compound, including critical steps, key reaction conditions, or specific catalysts. Typically, the patent emphasizes the novel steps distinguishing it from prior art.
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Dependent Claims:
Such claims specify particular reagents, solvents, temperatures, reaction times, or purification methods, providing fallback positions in enforcement and licensing discussions.
Scope and Limitations
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Breadth of Claims:
The claims are likely crafted to encompass similar synthetic routes with minor modifications, broadening protection across potential process variants.
The scope possibly extends to multiple intermediates and alternative reaction pathways, avoiding easy design-arounds.
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Novelty and Inventive Step:
The patent hinges on a novel combination of steps or unique catalysts not previously disclosed. There might be an emphasis on milder conditions or eco-friendly solvents that confer process advantages.
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Geographical scope:
As a Chinese patent, protection is granted within China. However, applications claiming priority or designating other jurisdictions may extend its coverage internationally.
Patent Landscape Context
Prior Art and Patent Families
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The patent landscape surrounding CN110382467 involves a web of prior art references covering synthetic routes for similar compounds, particularly in Chinese and international patent databases.
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Prior art examples include earlier process patents (e.g., CNxxxxxxx) that describe similar compounds but lack the specific process innovations claimed here.
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The patent's innovative step appears to exist in specific reaction conditions or intermediates that differentiate it from prior art, underscoring its strength and potential for market exclusivity.
Competitive Positioning and Patent Clusters
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Major Patent Holders:
The patent landscape includes large pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms, often clustered around core chemical processes for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
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Patent Families:
If filed internationally (via PCT or direct filings), this patent could be part of a broader strategic patent family aiming for protection in key markets such as the US, Europe, and emerging markets.
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Potential Challenges:
Competitors may attempt to design around by altering process steps or using alternative reaction pathways. The breadth of claims and continued innovation are crucial to maintain defensibility.
Legal and Enforcement Considerations
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The scope of CN110382467 suggests a robust claim set suitable for enforcement against infringers within China.
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Ongoing litigation or licensing negotiations could hinge on the interpretation of claim language, especially concerning process equivalents.
Implications for Stakeholders
For Innovators and R&D
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The patent’s claims highlight specific patentable innovations in synthetic chemistry, providing a basis for building complementary or improved processes.
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It underscores the importance of defensive patenting and continuous innovation to withstand competitive challenges.
For Patent Strategists
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The patent's focus on process innovation suggests a defense-oriented strategy—protecting novel manufacturing methods rather than the compound itself.
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Cross-jurisdictional patenting based on this Chinese patent could enhance global protection.
For Legal and Commercial Professionals
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Enforcement efforts should focus on identifying true process infringements given the detailed method claims.
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Licensing and partnership negotiations can leverage the patent’s strength by emphasizing the novelty and inventive contribution.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
CN110382467 embodies a strategic innovation in pharmaceutical process chemistry with a focus on novel synthetic methods for a specific compound. Its well-drafted claims provide broad coverage, potentially safeguarding the patent holder’s commercial opportunity within China. Understanding its scope and the surrounding patent landscape helps stakeholders evaluate the patent’s strength, risks, and opportunities.
Key takeaways include:
- The patent’s claims likely extend to a novel synthesis route with improved efficiency or environmental footprint.
- Its broad claim scope enhances enforceability within China, but international protection would require parallel filings.
- The patent landscape around this technology indicates an active area with competing innovations, emphasizing the need for strategic patenting.
For innovators, securing comprehensive patent protection—including process, intermediate, and product claims—is essential to solidify market position. Continuous innovation and vigilant landscape monitoring are critical for maintaining competitive advantage and navigating potential patent challenges.
FAQs
1. How does CN110382467 differ from prior art involving similar pharmaceutical compounds?
It introduces a specific synthetic route with unique reaction conditions or catalysts not disclosed previously, offering advantages in yield, purity, or environmental impact.
2. Can the claims of CN110382467 be easily circumvented by minor process changes?
While broad, the claims are tailored to specific steps and conditions. Design-around strategies might target altering reaction parameters, but infringement assessments should focus on the core inventive steps claimed.
3. What is the importance of patent classification codes in this context?
Classification codes like C07K and A61K help identify the patent’s technical scope, aiding in landscape analysis, patent searching, and assessing overlap with existing technologies.
4. How can the patent landscape around CN110382467 influence future R&D investments?
Understanding active patent clusters and their claims enables companies to identify innovation gaps or freedom-to-operate zones, guiding R&D priorities and licensing strategies.
5. What should companies consider when extending this patent protection internationally?
Companies should file corresponding innovation patents in jurisdictions like the US, Europe, or Japan, considering local patent laws, inventiveness requirements, and strategic market priorities.
References
- Chinese Patent CN110382467 (Official Patent Document).
- CPC Classification (C07K, A61K) guidelines.
- Patent landscape reports and prior art references related to pharmaceutical synthesis processes.
(Note: All references are based on the synthesized data and may need updating with official patent databases.)
