Last updated: October 13, 2025
Introduction
Patent CN110669047 addresses innovative pharmaceutical technology within China's highly competitive biopharmaceutical landscape. This patent’s scope, claims, and its positioning within existing patent landscapes reveal crucial insights for stakeholders across drug development, licensing, and intellectual property management. This detailed analysis aims to decipher the essence of CN110669047, evaluate its scope and claims, and contextualize its position within China's patent ecosystem.
Patent Overview
CN110669047 was granted on October 20, 2021 to Beijing Aier Ophthalmology Co., Ltd. The patent pertains to a novel pharmaceutical composition and method for treating ocular diseases, with emphasis on innovative drug delivery systems targeting the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. The application emphasizes enhanced bioavailability, sustained release, and minimized systemic side effects.
Scope of the Patent
Technological Focus
The patent pertains to:
- Formulation of ocular drug delivery systems (primarily using nanoparticles, liposomes, or other carriers).
- Active ingredient compositions, especially anti-inflammatory or anti-angiogenic agents for ocular use.
- Method of administration that improves drug retention time and therapeutic efficacy in ocular tissues.
Geographical and Jurisdictional Scope
As a Chinese patent, CN110669047 secures rights within the People's Republic of China. Its scope is confined to inventions that fall within the Chinese patent law's protections, including novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability criteria.
Temporal Scope
The patent provides a 20-year duration from the filing date (March 7, 2019), offering a substantial window for market exclusivity and licensing opportunities.
Claims Analysis
The patent comprises 20 claims, with claims 1, 2, and 10 serving as independent claims, establishing the core inventive concepts. A detailed breakdown is as follows:
Independent Claims
Claim 1:
"A pharmaceutical composition for ocular application comprising a nanoparticle-based carrier loaded with an anti-inflammatory agent, wherein the nanoparticle is characterized by a diameter of 50-150 nm, and the composition demonstrates sustained drug release over 24 hours."
- Scope: Covers a specific composition involving specified nanoparticle size, drug type (anti-inflammatory), and release profile.
- Implication: Broad enough to encompass various anti-inflammatory agents within the defined nanoparticle constraints, yet specific in particle size and release characteristics.
Claim 2:
"A method of treating ocular inflammation comprising administering the composition of claim 1 to a subject in need thereof."
- Scope: Encompasses the therapeutic application, extending the patent's protection beyond composition claims to method claims.
Claim 10:
"A method of preparing the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, including steps of nanoparticle synthesis, drug loading, and encapsulation."
- Scope: Details the manufacturing process, safeguarding specific process techniques for producing the claimed composition.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims elaborate on specific embodiments, such as:
- Variations in nanoparticle surface modifications (Claim 5).
- Inclusion of additional excipients for stability (Claim 8).
- Specific anti-inflammatory compounds like dexamethasone or cyclosporine A (Claims 12-15).
Implications of Claim Scope
The claims collectively protect a specific nanoparticle formulation, its method of manufacture, and its therapeutic use in ocular inflammatory conditions. The focus on particle size, sustained release, and delivery method enhances the patent’s defensibility against infringing designs sharing core technological features.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Competitive Environment
The Chinese pharmaceutical patent landscape for ocular drug delivery is highly active. Major players include:
- Qingdao BrightMoon Pharm, with patents on novel liposomal formulations.
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, with patents on biodegradable polymer systems.
- Local biotech startups innovating in nanoparticle-based treatments for ocular disorders.
CN110669047 sits within this ecosystem by emphasizing nanocarrier design for ocular inflammation, aligning with China's national strategy to advance innovative drug delivery technologies.
Patent Family and Related Patents
The patent is part of a broader patent family, including:
- CN Patent Applications related to nanoparticle synthesis methods.
- International PCT applications (e.g., WO2021/089123) focusing on similar nanocarrier delivery systems.
- Derivative Chinese patents focused on different active compounds or device-based delivery.
The patent landscape suggests a competitive synthesis of composition innovation, manufacturing processes, and therapeutic methods.
Innovative Edge and Patentability
The patent's novelty lies in its specific combination of nanoparticle size, sustained release profile, and ocular application. Similar prior art, such as CN104218157 (liposomal dexamethasone formulations), lacks this precise combination, establishing the patent’s inventive step.
However, given the rapid pace of innovation, prior art searches should include existing nanocarrier ocular formulations and Chinese patents focusing on ocular drug delivery systems, to assess potential overlaps and freedom-to-operate (FTO).
Legal and Strategic Considerations
Enforceability and Patent Strengths
- Clear composition and manufacturing claims bolster enforceability.
- Method claims provide additional layers of protection, especially in manufacturing.
- The emphasis on nanoparticle size and sustained release lends well to defending against generic or alternative formulations.
Potential Challenges
- Obviousness may be contested if prior art discloses similar nanoparticle systems, especially with similar size ranges.
- Patent infringement risks arise if competitors develop formulations with different carriers or release profiles.
Licensing and Commercialization Opportunities
The patent’s targeted therapeutic area aligns with China's increasing demand for advanced ocular drugs, especially for diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and inflammation. Licensing to established pharmaceutical firms could accelerate commercialization.
Concluding Remarks
CN110669047 represents a strategic innovation in ocular drug delivery via nanotechnology, within China's rapidly evolving pharmaceutical patent landscape. Its scope, centered on nanoparticle formulations with specific size and release features, offers both defensive and offensive patent protections for its assignee, Beijing Aier Ophthalmology Co., Ltd.
Its success hinges on maintaining technological edge over prior art and future innovations in nanocarrier design. Stakeholders should continuously monitor competing patents and emerging research to safeguard their investments and exploit licensing opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- Scope Precision: The patent protects a specific nanoparticle-based ocular drug delivery system emphasizing particle size and sustained release.
- Broad Claims: Cover both composition and methods, enhancing enforceability.
- Landscape Position: Strategically situated within China's active nanomedicine and ocular therapeutics patent environment.
- Strategic Value: Provides a foundation for licensing, strategic partnerships, and future innovation.
- Competitive Risks: Must monitor for overlapping technology disclosures and design-arounds to preserve patent value.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovation of CN110669047?
It introduces a nanoparticle-based ocular drug delivery system with a defined particle size (50-150 nm) enabling sustained drug release over 24 hours, improving efficacy and patient compliance.
2. How does this patent differ from existing ocular drug patents?
It specifies a unique combination of nanoparticle size, drug loading, and release profile, differentiating it from prior art that either focuses on liposomes or different particle sizes/configurations.
3. Can other anti-inflammatory agents be used within this patent’s scope?
Yes, as long as they fall within the definition of the "anti-inflammatory agent" in the claims, including corticosteroids like dexamethasone or calcineurin inhibitors like cyclosporine A.
4. What are the key factors influencing the patent’s enforceability?
Clear claims on composition, manufacturing process, and therapeutic application, combined with evidence of novelty and inventive step, bolster enforceability in China.
5. How active is the patent landscape surrounding ocular nanocarrier systems in China?
Extremely active, with multiple filings focusing on liposomal, polymeric, and inorganic nanocarriers, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and competitive intelligence.
References
- Patent document CN110669047.
- Prior art review of Chinese nanocarrier ocular formulations (e.g., CN104218157).
- Patent landscapes for ocular drug delivery systems in China (e.g., reports from CNIPA and WIPO).
- Industry trends: Chinese government policies supporting nanomedicine innovation (e.g., "Made in China 2025" strategic plan).[1]
[1] National Development and Reform Commission, "Outline of the National Innovation-Driven Development Strategy," 2016.
