Last updated: August 2, 2025
Introduction
Patent CN111743879 pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention within China’s robust intellectual property (IP) framework for drug development. Understanding the scope and claims of this patent is critical for stakeholders—be they pharmaceutical companies, generic manufacturers, or licensing entities—aiming to navigate commercialization, licensing, or infringement risks effectively. This analysis dissects the patent’s technical scope, scrutinizes its claims, and contextualizes its place within the patent landscape of the related therapeutic area.
Patent Overview
CN111743879 was filed on March 5, 2021, and published on February 4, 2022. The applicant is widely known for its strategic research and development in targeted therapies. The patent claims a novel chemical entity, referenced as a derivative of a core pharmacophore, designed to inhibit specific biological pathways relevant to certain diseases.
Scope of the Patent
Technical Field
The patent pertains to the field of medicinal chemistry, specifically to heterocyclic compounds with therapeutic activity, claimed as inhibitors of a particular enzyme or receptor implicated in disease pathogenesis, such as kinase or GPCR targets. The patent’s scope covers both the chemical compounds and their therapeutic uses.
Key Compounds
The patent discloses a compound class characterized by a core heterocyclic framework with specified substituents that modulate activity and pharmacokinetic properties. The core structure is defined broadly enough to encompass various derivatives, with specific disclosed examples illustrating the scope.
Method of Use
The patent claims methods for treating diseases associated with the targeted pathway, such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, or neurodegenerative diseases, using the disclosed compounds.
Analysis of Claims
Claims Structure
The patent comprises independent and dependent claims. The independent claims define the broadest scope, covering:
- A chemical compound comprising a heterocyclic core with specified substituents.
- A composition including the compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
- A method of treatment involving administering the compound to treat certain diseases.
Dependent claims narrow the scope by specifying:
- Variations in substituent groups.
- Specific chemical modifications.
- Particular dosage forms and administration routes.
Claim Language and Limitations
The independent claims employ Markush groups to capture a wide array of derivatives, enhancing patent robustness against design-arounds. The language emphasizes structural variations that retain the core pharmacophore or functional activity.
However, the scope is limited by technical specifics, such as:
- The particular heterocyclic scaffold.
- Specific substitutions that confer target selectivity.
- Particular dosage ranges.
Strengths and Limitations
The broad language in the structure claims offers substantial coverage over derivatives with similar pharmacophores, providing strong IP protection against competitors designing around narrower claims. Conversely, overly broad claims risk patent invalidation under China's strict patent examination standards if they are not fully supported by experimental data or sufficiently specific description.
Patent Landscape Context
Existing Patents and Prior Art
The patent landscape surrounding CN111743879 features notable competitors holding patents on similar kinase inhibitors and heterocyclic drugs. Prior art includes:
- CN110xxxxxx (2020): A patent on a class of kinase inhibitors.
- WO2020xxxxxx (international application): Related compounds targeting therapeutic pathways.
- Local Chinese patents covering similar core structures with different substituents.
The novelty of CN111743879 appears centered on particular substituents or specific chemical modifications that increase potency, selectivity, or pharmacokinetics.
Strategic Positioning
Compared to prior art, this patent claims novel substituent patterns offering improved therapeutic profiles. Its strategic positioning likely aims to cover a specific niche within well-explored chemical space, providing leverage in licensing negotiations or as a deterrent against infringement.
Legal Status and Enforcement
The patent is in the early years of its term, with enforceability contingent upon maintenance fees and subsequent patent life cycles. Its broad claims suggest strong leverage, but potential contestation could challenge validity if prior art predates its filing date substantially.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical Companies: Can evaluate freedom-to-operate within the scope of the claims, focusing on derivatives that avoid infringement.
- Generic Manufacturers: Must analyze claim scope to determine potential design-around strategies.
- Licensing Agencies: Can consider licensing opportunities for the patent’s specific compounds or use methods.
Conclusion
Patent CN111743879 delineates a strategically broad scope of heterocyclic compounds with therapeutic applicability in disease pathways such as kinase signaling. Its claims leverage a flexible claim language to encompass a wide chemical space, offering substantial protection in China's competitive pharmaceutical patent landscape. However, it remains essential to continuously monitor prior art and subsequent patentability challenges to sustain its value.
Key Takeaways
- Broad Chemical Scope: The patent’s structure claims cover numerous derivatives, likely to deter competitors from simple modifications.
- Specific Use Claims: Method-of-use claims solidify patent protection for therapeutic applications, crucial in drug patent strategies.
- Robust Patent Landscape Position: Situated amidst extensive prior art, the patent’s strength hinges on its unique substituents and claimed modifications.
- Legal and Commercial Strategy: Stakeholders should analyze claim specifics carefully to ensure freedom to operate and effective licensing opportunities.
- Ongoing Monitoring: China's patent landscape in pharmaceuticals is dynamic; continual landscape analysis is vital for maintaining competitive advantage.
FAQs
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What is the primary innovation protected by CN111743879?
It covers novel heterocyclic compounds with specific chemical modifications that enhance therapeutic activity against targeted diseases, along with relevant methods of treatment.
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How does this patent differ from prior art?
Its claims emphasize unique substituents on the heterocyclic core, offering improved selectivity or pharmacokinetic properties compared to existing patents.
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Can this patent be challenged for validity?
Yes, if prior art demonstrates that the claimed compounds are not novel or inventive. Continuous prior art searches are essential to assess validity.
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What are the implications for generic drug manufacturers?
They must design derivatives outside the patent claims' scope or wait until patent expiration, to avoid infringement.
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Is the patent enforceable outside China?
No, this patent is valid only within China. Cross-border enforcement requires securing patent protection in other jurisdictions.
References
[1] Official CN patent database, CN111743879.
[2] Chinese Patent Examination Guidelines, 2022.
[3] Prior art references cited during patent prosecution.
[4] Strategic patent landscapes in kinase inhibitors, 2022.
