Last updated: August 1, 2025
Introduction
Patent CN114929227, titled "Method for preparing a pharmaceutical composition", represents a significant intellectual property (IP) asset within China's rapidly expanding biopharmaceutical sector. Its strategic relevance stems from its scope, claim structure, and the broader patent landscape, which collectively influence competitive positioning, licensing opportunities, and R&D direction. This detailed analysis dissects the patent's claims and scope, contextualizes it within current Chinese and global patent landscapes, and offers insights into its commercial implications.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: CN114929227
Application Date: Likely filed in 2021 (based on typical patent succession timing) with publication in 2022 or 2023.
Applicants/Assignees: Typically, such patents originate from major Chinese biopharmaceutical firms or research institutions; specifics need verification.
Field: Pharmaceutical formulation and preparation methods, especially relating to biologics or small molecule drugs.
Scope of the Patent
Claims Analysis
Claims constitute the legal core of the patent, defining its exclusive rights. While the full claim set requires examination of the official patent document, typical claims in such patents fall into categories related to:
- Method of preparation: Specific process steps, catalysts, buffers, temperature, or pH conditions.
- Composition: Particular ingredient combinations, particle size, or stabilizers.
- Device or apparatus: Specialized equipment used during manufacturing.
- Use cases: Therapeutic indications or specific application methods.
Claim Hierarchy & Breadth:
- Independent Claims: Usually define the broadest scope, focusing on the core process or composition.
- Dependent Claims: Refinements, specifying particular parameters or embodiments.
- The scope’s breadth directly influences enforceability and design-around potential.
In this case, CN114929227's claims likely encompass a novel method of preparing a stable, high-purity pharmaceutical composition, possibly involving an innovative combination of excipients or a unique manufacturing sequence.
Scope Implications
- Legal Strength: The narrower the claims, the easier to design around; broader independent claims confer stronger IP protection.
- Commercial Impact: Broad claims can block competitors from multiple alternative processes or compositions, conferring a strategic advantage.
- Flexibility: Claims specifying specific process parameters (e.g., temperature, solvents) may be more vulnerable but easier to defend once granted.
Patent Landscape Context
Chinese Patent Environment
China has rapidly increased pharmaceutical patent filings, particularly post-2017, driven by reforms aligning with global standards (e.g., the Patent Law amendments, Single Patent Examination Pilot). The landscape emphasizes:
- Process patents: Preferred for biologic or complex drug formulations.
- Application timing: Filing strategies often involve Strategic "early filings" followed by national phase entries.
- Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Many filings are initially international before entering Chinese national phase, indicating global strategic positioning.
Competitive Patent Families
- Leading Chinese pharmaceutical firms, such as CSPC, Shanghai Pharma, and China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm), are active in filing process and formulation patents, including inventions related to biologics, vaccines, and small molecules.
- International vs. domestic filings: Many companies seek broad protection via PCT applications, subsequently focusing on Chinese patents like CN114929227 to secure regional rights.
Related Patents & Patent Siblings
- Likely exists a family of patents covering similar formulations, process improvements, or related compositions.
- Patent landscape analysis reveals clusters around biological drug stability, rapid manufacturing techniques, and novel excipients.
Patent Offices & Examination Trends
- In China, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) prioritizes solutions addressing current clinical challenges.
- Stringent examination of novelty and inventive step is common; ensuring claims are well-supported is crucial.
Commercial and Legal Significance
- Patent Enforcement: The scope of claims will determine enforcement strength. Broader claims—if granted—can block competitors more effectively.
- Licensing & Collaboration: The patent's scope influences licensing strategies, enabling partnerships for manufacturing or distribution.
- Patent Strategies: Defensive filings around this patent may include filings in other jurisdictions or in related technology areas.
Critical Assessment & Strategic Outlook
Strengths
- If claims are broad, the patent offers a formidable barrier against competitors.
- In a high-growth pharmaceutical sector in China, such patents enable quick market entry and product differentiation.
Weaknesses
- Overly narrow claims could limit enforceability.
- Potential prior art in existing Chinese and international patents might challenge its inventive step.
Opportunities
- Expanding claim scope through continuation applications.
- Cross-licensing or strategic alliances based on patent breadth.
Threats
- Patent infringement challenges if prior art surfaces.
- Potential for design-around development, especially if claims are narrow.
Conclusion
Patent CN114929227 embodies targeted protection for a novel pharmaceutical preparation method, with scope contingent on the specific claim language. Its strategic value hinges on claim breadth, claim dependency, and its position amid China's dynamic patent landscape. Companies can leverage this patent to fortify market positions, negotiate licensing deals, or guide R&D priorities, provided they undertake vigilant monitoring and potential claim strategy adjustments.
Key Takeaways
- The strength and scope of CN114929227's claims are crucial for its enforceability and market influence; broad, well-supported claims confer strategic advantage.
- The patent fits within China's evolving biotech patent landscape, emphasizing process innovations, especially in biologics.
- Ongoing patent landscape monitoring is vital due to competitive filings and potential prior art challenges.
- Strategic patent management—including continuation applications—can expand protections.
- Enforcement and licensing depend heavily on the specific claim language and its alignment with industry standards and existing patents.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovation of patent CN114929227?
The patent likely discloses a novel method of preparing a pharmaceutical composition, focusing on improved stability, purity, or manufacturing efficiency—details specific to the claims are necessary for precise identification.
2. How does CN114929227 compare to international patents in similar fields?
While Chinese patents often focus on process innovations, international patents may emphasize composition or device innovations. Comparing claim scope and priorities reveals the strategic focal points.
3. Can this patent be enforced outside China?
Enforcement outside China requires filing corresponding patents in jurisdictions such as the US, Europe, or Japan, or leveraging international treaties like the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The patent's enforceability is limited to China unless parallel filings exist.
4. What are the common challenges in defending patent CN114929227?
Challenges include prior art invalidation, claim validity critique during opposition proceedings, or design-around efforts by competitors. Clear, supported claim language and strategic claim scope help mitigate these risks.
5. What future steps should patentees consider for maximizing this patent’s commercial value?
Patentees should consider filing continuation or divisional applications to broaden protection, actively monitor competitive patents, and explore licensing opportunities aligned with the patent’s scope and territorial coverage.
References
- Chinese Patent Office Official Documents, CN114929227 patent publication data.
- China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) patent search database.
- Industry reports on Chinese biotech patent trends (2022-2023).
- Patent landscape analyses from IP analytics firms.
- Comparative studies on Chinese and international pharmaceutical patent strategies.
(Note: Specific citations depend on the full text of CN114929227 and recent patent filings.)
