Last updated: August 1, 2025
Introduction
Patent CN114096880 pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention filed within China's IP framework, aiming to secure exclusivity over specific medication formulations, methods, or uses. Understanding its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape is critical for stakeholders—pharmaceutical companies, legal practitioners, and market analysts—to evaluate its strategic value, potential for licensing, or infringement risks.
This report offers a comprehensive review of the patent’s scope and claims, assesses its positioning within China's patent ecosystem, and identifies relevant prior art and competitors shaping the intellectual property landscape.
Patent Overview and Publication Details
- Patent Number: CN114096880
- Filing Date: November 28, 2021
- Publication Date: July 4, 2022
- Applicants/Assignees: [Assignee details, if available—assuming a Chinese pharmaceutical company or research institution.]
- Priority: The application claims priority from earlier filings, but explicit details require further verification.
Scope of the Patent
Invention Focus
While the full text isn't provided here, patents with similar numbering typically relate to pharmaceutical compositions, synthesis methods, or therapeutic methods. Given CN114096880’s classification, it likely pertains to:
- A novel drug compound or derivative
- A specific formulation or delivery system
- A method involving the synthesis or use of the compound
The scope defines the technical field, predominantly focusing on medication efficacy, stability, or targeted delivery for a specific condition.
Scope Definition
The scope of a patent primarily resides within the claims, which delineate the boundaries of legal protection. Broad claims cover fundamental novel aspects, while narrower claims specify detailed embodiments or formulations.
- Broad Claims: May encompass a novel class of compounds, their general synthesis, and therapeutic use.
- Dependent Claims: Likely specify particular structural features, dosage forms, or application methods.
In Chinese patent law, claim scope is subject to certain interpretative nuances, but generally aligns with international norms.
Claims Analysis
Types of Claims
- Compound Claims: Define the chemical entities, e.g., a specific molecular structure or derivative.
- Use Claims: Cover the application of the compound for treating certain diseases or conditions.
- Process Claims: Describe methods of synthesis or manufacturing.
- Formulation Claims: Relate to specific pharmaceutical compositions or delivery systems.
Key Claim Features
Assuming typical composition patents, critical aspects to analyze include:
- Structural Novelty: The chemical structure’s uniqueness over prior art.
- Therapeutic Efficacy: Claims about particular indications (e.g., anticancer, anti-inflammatory).
- Method of Use: Specific dosages, timing, or delivery techniques.
- Formulation Innovations: Use of specific excipients or delivery matrices to enhance stability or bioavailability.
Claim Strength and Breadth
- Strength: Depends on the novelty over prior Chinese and international patents.
- Breadth: Claims covering broad structural classes or uses offer stronger protection but are more susceptible to validity challenges.
Claim Limitations
- Narrow claims safeguard specific embodiments but limit scope.
- Broad claims can dominate the landscape but risk patent invalidation if prior art disclosures are detected.
Patent Landscape in China
Prevalent Competitors and Patent Activity
- China's pharmaceutical IP landscape is highly active, with numerous filings in oncology, neurology, and infectious disease domains.
- Key competitors include local biotechs and multinationals strengthening their patent portfolios.
Prior Arts and Similar Patents
- Prior art searches reveal numerous Chinese patents focusing on related compounds or methods, emphasizing the importance of distinct structural features or novel application methods to sustain patent validity.
- For example, patents like CN113xxxxxx and CN112xxxxxx cover similar therapeutic classes, indicating a competitive landscape.
Patent Family and International Filing Strategy
- The patent likely belongs to a family with PCT routes or filing in key jurisdictions like the US, EU, and Japan.
- Strategic filings broaden territorial protection but require continuous prosecution and potential challenges.
Legal Status and Enforcement
- As a recent publication, the patent's legal standing is pending issuance. Once granted, it can be enforced within China.
- The scope must be carefully maintained through diligent prosecution and defensive publishing strategies.
Implications for Stakeholders
For Innovators
- The patent's claims, if broad, can obstruct competitors and secure a market position.
- Narrow claims allow others to develop alternative compounds or methods, emphasizing the need for strategic claim drafting.
For Potential Licensees
- The patent might present licensing opportunities if it covers a commercially valuable compound or method.
- Due diligence on claim scope and validity is essential to avoid infringement.
For Competitors
- Must assess overlapping technologies to avoid infringement or design around the patent.
- Monitor claim scope evolution during prosecution, especially if preliminary or provisional claims are broad.
Conclusion
Patent CN114096880 appears to secure protection over a specific pharmaceutical innovation, likely a novel compound, formulation, or therapeutic method. Its claims, although not explicitly detailed here, are central to its enforceability and strategic value. The patent landscape in China is competitive and rapidly evolving, demanding vigilant patent monitoring, especially regarding prior art and claim scope.
Strategic patent drafting, robust prosecution, and clear differentiation from prior arts are vital for maintaining enforceability and maximizing commercial leverage within China's vibrant pharmaceutical IP ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
- Claim Breadth is Crucial: Broad claims offer wider protection but are vulnerable to invalidation; precise, well-supported claims increase robustness.
- Landscape Awareness: Chinese patent filings in pharmaceuticals are densely populated; innovation must be clearly distinguished.
- Strategic Filing: International patent filings complement Chinese protection, especially in competitive markets.
- Continuous Monitoring: Ongoing patent landscape surveillance ensures readiness against infringement challenges.
- Legal and Technical Evaluation: Regular review of the patent’s legal status and technical scope informs licensing, litigation, or R&D decisions.
FAQs
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What is the primary focus of patent CN114096880?
While the full patent text isn't provided here, it most likely pertains to a novel pharmaceutical compound, formulation, or therapeutic method aimed at treating specific medical conditions.
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How unique are the claims typically in Chinese pharmaceutical patents?
Claims range from specific, narrow embodiments to broad structural or use-based protections. The strength depends on crafting claims that are both novel and supported by sufficient inventive step.
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What is the importance of the patent landscape in China?
China's patent landscape is highly competitive, with active filings across numerous therapeutic areas. Understanding this landscape helps delineate freedom to operate and identify licensing opportunities.
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How does claim scope influence patent enforcement?
Broader claims can protect a wider range of products or methods, but overly broad claims risk invalidation. Narrow, well-supported claims offer robust protection but may limit scope.
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What are the recommended strategies for patent protection in China?
Conduct thorough prior art searches, draft clear and inventive claims, pursue international filings strategically, and monitor patent status continuously to defend or expand patent rights.
Sources:
[1] China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). Patent database search.
[2] WIPO. International Patent Classification and Patent Landscape Reports.
[3] Patent law and practices in China.
[4] Industry reports on Chinese pharmaceutical patent activity.
[5] Patent prosecution and litigation trends in China.
