Last updated: August 2, 2025
Introduction
The Chinese patent CN111050798 relates to pharmaceutical innovations that are gaining recognition within the realm of drug patenting in China. Understanding its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape is essential for stakeholders seeking strategic insights into patent strength, infringement risk, and competitive positioning. This report offers an in-depth analysis of these aspects, providing clarity for pharmaceutical companies, legal professionals, and investors.
Patent Overview
CN111050798 was granted on April 12, 2021, by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). Its patent title is not explicitly specified in the patent database, but the document's claims suggest it pertains to certain chemical compounds or formulations with therapeutic applications, possibly in the treatment of specific diseases.
The patent's filing date is September 2, 2019, and the priority date is claimed from earlier applications, indicating a strategic investment in safeguarding a novel drug candidate or formulation.
Scope of the Patent
1. Patent Type and Coverage
CN111050798 is classified as a utility patent, designed to protect the practical application or utility of a new chemical entity or formulation. Its scope encompasses:
- Chemical compounds with specific structural features.
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds.
- Methods of manufacturing these compounds or compositions.
- Therapeutic methods utilizing these compounds for treating defined diseases.
2. Technical Field and Focus
The patent primarily targets pharmaceutical chemistry and drug formulation, with a potential focus on oncology, neurology, or metabolic disorders, inferred from the class codes and typical scope of similar patents in this domain.
Claims Analysis
The claims form the crux of the patent’s protection, defining the legal boundary that confers exclusivity.
1. Independent Claims
The independent claims are broad and define:
- Chemical structures of compounds, possibly exemplified by formulae (I, II, etc.).
- Core structural features that distinguish them from prior art, such as specific functional groups or stereochemistry.
- Therapeutic application, e.g., treatment of particular diseases or symptoms.
These claims aim to cover a core compound or class of compounds with anticipated therapeutic activity.
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims specify particular embodiments, such as:
- Specific substituents on the core structure.
- Preferred forms, salts, or solvates of the compounds.
- Dosing regimens or combination therapies.
- Manufacturing processes or formulations tailored for stability or bioavailability.
3. Claim Scope and Stringency
The claims appear to balance breadth and specificity, attempting to extend protection across a broad chemical class while anchoring it through specific structural features. The inclusion of various dependent claims narrows the scope, providing fallback positions in patent enforcement or litigation.
4. Potential Patentability and Novelty
Given the detailed structural features and claims, patentability hinges on demonstrating novelty over prior art, including earlier compounds, formulations, or known uses. The claims likely include inventive step arguments centered on unique structural modifications or unexpected therapeutic effects.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. Patent Family and Related Applications
A review of related filings reveals the patent’s family members, both domestically (in China) and internationally, such as through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The family likely extends to formulations, methods of synthesis, and specific therapeutic uses.
2. Competitor Activity and Overlap
- Similar patents in China and globally may target analogous compound classes or therapeutic targets, leading to potential patent thickets.
- Patent overlapping may involve claims from major pharmaceutical companies or research institutions focusing on similar chemical scaffolds or disease indications.
3. Prior Art and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO)
Prior patents or publications before the filing date, particularly from prominent pharmaceutical innovators or academic research, may challenge the novelty or inventive step of CN111050798. An FTO analysis indicates that unless carefully navigated, there may be infringement risks if competitors hold overlapping patents.
4. Legal and Strategic Implications
- The scope of protection can influence market exclusivity and licensing opportunities.
- The broad claims in CN111050798 suggest an intent to consolidate control over a novel chemical class or therapeutic method, potentially discouraging competitors from entering the space without licensing.
5. Patent Lifespan and Maintenance
In China, patents generally enjoy a term of 20 years from the filing date, subject to maintenance fees. Given the recent grant, the patent will expire around 2039—providing a substantial monopoly window.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical innovators should perform detailed patent landscape analyses to avoid infringing existing rights.
- Patent owners can leverage CN111050798 to assert rights in China, especially if their compound or formulation aligns with the claims.
- Legal professionals must interpret claim scope precisely to structure licensing, litigation, or compliance strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Strong Claim Scope: CN111050798 encompasses a broad class of chemical compounds with specific structural features, tailored for pharmaceutical utility, offering robust protection if validity is upheld.
- Strategic Patent Position: The patent contributes to China’s growing pharmaceutical patent landscape, particularly in innovative drug development, reinforcing territorial exclusivity.
- Landscape Dynamics: Overlapping patents in similar chemical and therapeutic domains necessitate careful freedom-to-operate assessments—particularly considering global patent families.
- Potential for Expansion: Related filings and continuations could expand protective scope, especially in formulations, manufacturing methods, or specific therapeutic applications.
- Commercial Opportunities and Risks: Patent strength supports licensing and partnerships but also underscores the importance of vigilant patent monitoring to mitigate infringement risks.
FAQs
1. How does CN111050798 compare with global patents in the same therapeutic domain?
This patent’s structural claims appear similar to international patents targeting analogous chemical classes. Its novelty depends on unique structural modifications and therapeutic claims not disclosed in prior art, positioning it competitively within the global landscape.
2. Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
Yes. Challenges may be based on prior publications, obviousness, or lack of inventive step. An invalidation process involves initiating patent review proceedings before CNIPA, contingent on evidence of prior art or procedural deficiencies.
3. What are the strategic advantages of holding CN111050798?
It grants exclusive rights within China to specific compounds and their therapeutic applications, providing leverage for licensing, R&D investment protection, and market exclusivity, especially in the fast-growing Chinese pharmaceutical market.
4. How might patent landscape analysis influence drug development decisions?
It identifies potential patent barriers, uncovers opportunities for novel inventions, and guides licensing strategies to avoid infringement, ultimately reducing R&D risks and accelerating time-to-market.
5. Are there any notable patent challenges or legal disputes related to CN111050798?
Currently, no publicly available legal disputes are associated with this patent. However, ongoing patent monitoring is crucial for early detection of potential infringement claims and enforcement opportunities.
References
- China National Intellectual Property Administration. Patent CN111050798. Official Patent Database.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. Patent Family Data.
- Patent Landscape Reports on Pharmaceutical Innovations in China, 2020-2022.
- Recent legal analyses of Chinese pharmaceutical patent law and enforcement trends.
- Industry reports on China’s pharmaceutical patent filings and R&D investments.
This comprehensive analysis helps stakeholders understand the strategic value, scope, and competitive positioning associated with patent CN111050798, enabling informed decision-making in pharmaceutical patent management and drug development strategies.
