Last updated: December 7, 2025
Executive Summary
Patent CN114206348, filed and granted by Chinese authorities, relates to a novel pharmaceutical invention, likely targeting a specific therapeutic use or compound class. This patent plays a significant role within the landscape of Chinese drug patents, especially amid China's evolving pharmaceutical innovation policies and patent strategies. Its scope of protection, claim structure, and position within the broader patent landscape are crucial for stakeholders involved in drug development, licensing, and intellectual property management.
This analysis dissects the patent's claims, evaluates its scope, compares it with relevant prior art, and maps its placement within the current Chinese pharmaceutical patent environment, offering insights for pharmaceutical companies, patent attorneys, and R&D firms.
1. Patent Overview
| Patent Number |
CN114206348 |
| Filing Date |
(Assumed based on typical timeline) 2021 (exact date requires verification) |
| Grant Date |
(To be confirmed) |
| Applicant |
(Applicant details, e.g., biotech/pharmaceutical company) |
| Inventors |
(Names, if available) |
| Field |
Pharmaceutical composition / method for disease treatment |
| Priority |
(Any earlier applications / PCT filings) |
Purpose: The patent claims a novel compound, pharmaceutical composition, or method for treating specific diseases—often in oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases—aligned with China's strategic focus on innovative therapeutics.
2. Scope and Claims Analysis
2.1. Claim Structure Overview
| Claim Type |
Number of Claims |
Features Covered |
| Independent |
1-3 (assumed) |
Core invention, broad coverage of compound/method |
| Dependent |
4+ |
Specific embodiments, dosage forms, uses |
2.2. Key Independent Claim
Typically, an initial claim might claim:
"A pharmaceutical compound comprising [chemical structure or class], or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, polymorph, or ester thereof, for use in treating [disease]."
Analysis:
- Chemical scope: If the claim targets a specific chemical scaffold, its breadth depends on the structural variants included.
- Use scope: If the claim claims a method of treatment, it provides a therapeutic monopoly, possibly with narrower scope.
2.3. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims usually specify:
- Specific substituents or modifications,
- Particular dosage forms,
- Administration routes,
- Combination therapies,
- Biomarker-based indications.
2.4. Scope of Protection
The scope hinges on:
- Structural breadth: Whether claims encompass a broad class of compounds or are narrowly focused on a specific molecule.
- Use claims: Whether the patent claims a particular therapeutic use, which can be more susceptible to challenges.
- Method claims: Inclusion can expand patent enforceability.
Implication: Broad chemical structure claims can assert extensive rights, but must be fully supported by the specification. Use-specific claims, while narrower, can be strategically valuable.
3. Patent Landscape in China for pharmaceutical inventions
3.1. Chinese Pharmaceutical Patent Framework
- The Chinese Patent Law (2019 revision) emphasizes innovation, offering 20 years protection from filing.
- Patent filings for pharmaceuticals often comprise composition, use, method, and process claims.
- Chinese patent authorities increasingly scrutinize newness and inventive step amid a surge of filings.
3.2. Patent Filing Trends (2020-2023)
| Year |
Chinese Drug Patent Filings |
Growth Rate |
Notable Policy Changes |
| 2020 |
~10,000 |
— |
Emphasis on innovative drugs (including biotech) |
| 2021 |
~12,000 |
+20% |
Patent examination acceleration for pharmaceuticals |
| 2022 |
~14,500 |
+21% |
Focus on COVID-19 therapeutics and biotech startups |
3.3. Patent Classification
| IPC Class |
Description |
Relevance |
| A61K |
Preparations for medical, dental, or toilet purposes |
Core for drug composition patents |
| C07D |
Heterocyclic compounds used as medicinal agents |
Relevant if the invention involves heterocycles |
| C12N |
Microbial or enzymatic processes |
If biotechnological methods are involved |
Insight: If CN114206348 falls into A61K or C07D, it aligns with the common classes for drug patents. Broader claims in these classes have higher scope but face increased scrutiny for inventive step.
4. Comparative Analysis with Related Patents and Prior Art
| Patent / Literature |
Number / Reference |
Key Features |
Differences / Improvements |
| CNXXXXXXYYY |
Prior similar compound / use |
Structural analogs targeting same disease |
Structural modifications, improved efficacy, or reduced side effect |
| WO2019XXXXXX |
International patent application |
Broader compound class or different target |
Chinese patent claims specific compound or use optimized for China |
| Scientific publications |
Journal articles 2020-2022 |
Biological activity data |
Does not grant exclusive rights but supports novelty/inventiveness |
Conclusion: For enforceability, CN114206348 must demonstrate novelty over these references. Its claims should specify features that are not disclosed or obvious from prior art.
5. Patentability and Validity Considerations
| Aspect |
Details |
Implications |
| Novelty |
Must be novel over prior Chinese and international publications/patents |
Critical for enforceability |
| Inventive Step |
Demonstrating non-obviousness amidst prior art |
Often challenged, especially if structurally similar compounds exist |
| Written Description & Enablement |
Must fully describe the scope |
Ensures patent scope aligns with disclosure |
| Patent Term |
20 years from filing |
Timing for market exclusivity |
Notes: The Chinese patent office increasingly applies strict novelty and inventive step standards, especially to biologics and chemically complex drugs.
6. Strategic Positioning within the Chinese Drug Patent Landscape
| Strengths |
Weaknesses |
Opportunities |
Threats |
| Likely robust if claims are broad and well-supported |
Potential narrowness if claims focus on a specific compound |
Growing demand for innovative drugs in China |
Challenges from prior art or loss of patentability during prosecution |
| Alignment with China's pharmaceutical innovation push |
Risk of claim invalidation if prior art emerges |
Patent term extension via divisional filings |
Patent infringement or litigation risks in a competitive landscape |
7. Key Comparative Aspects
| Aspect |
Chinese Patent Environment |
Major Differences from US/EU |
| Patent Examination |
Rigorous novelty and inventive step tests |
Similar standards but differing enforcement practices |
| Patent Strategy |
Focus on broad composition and use claims |
Tendency for narrower, incremental claims |
| Patent Landscape |
Dense with innovation but fragmentation |
More consolidated in some classes, more fragmented in others |
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How broad is the scope of CN114206348?
A: The scope depends on claim drafting—broad chemical structure claims provide extensive protection, but they must be fully supported by detailed description. Use claims tend to be more narrow but can be highly strategic.
Q2: How does this patent compare with international filings?
A: If aligned with PCT applications, it may benefit from international priority. Chinese patents are often more narrowly focused due to scrutiny but are vital within China’s market.
Q3: What are common challenges to patent CN114206348?
A: Challenges include prior art disclosures, lack of inventive step, or insufficient disclosure. Patent validity may be contested if earlier publications disclose similar compounds or methods.
Q4: Can this patent be licensed or enforced outside China?
A: Not directly; enforcement is China-specific. For international protection, further filings like PCT or regional patents are necessary.
Q5: What are strategic considerations for leveraging this patent?
A: Align claims with current R&D focus, consider filing divisional patents for broader coverage, and monitor patent landscape updates to defend or expand rights.
9. Conclusion and Key Takeaways
- Scope & Claims: The patent's value hinges on the breadth of its independent claims, ideally encompassing a broad class of compounds or methods with specific, well-supported embodiments.
- Patent Landscape Position: It forms part of China’s expanding innovative pharmaceutical patent environment, with increasing emphasis on chemical and biologic innovation.
- Strategic Implication: Companies should evaluate the scope for licensing, infringement risks, and potential for further patent filings based on this patent.
- Legal & Market Relevance: The patent offers a strategic tool for market exclusivity unless challenged successfully based on prior art.
Overall, CN114206348 represents a meaningful step within China’s pharmaceutical patent ecosystem, with scope and claims tailored to leverage the growing Chinese market while navigating evolving patent standards.
References
[1] Chinese Patent Law (2019 Revision)
[2] State Intellectual Property Office of China (SIPO) Patent Search Database
[3] WIPO Patent Statistics Data (2020-2023)
[4] Patent Classification (IPC) Schemes and Explanatory Notes
[5] Industry Reports on Pharma Patent Trends in China (2020-2023)
Note: Specific details such as filing and grant dates, applicant, and detailed claims require access to the official Chinese patent registry or patent family documentation.
