Last updated: February 19, 2026
Summary: China patent application CN119384270, filed by Jiangsu Aikon Biotechnology Co., Ltd., describes a novel pharmaceutical composition for treating Parkinson's disease. The patent claims encompass specific formulations of levodopa and carbidopa, combined with an enteric coating designed to control drug release. The landscape analysis indicates a competitive but segmented market for Parkinson's disease treatments, with ongoing patent activity focused on improved delivery systems and combination therapies.
What is the Subject Matter of CN119384270?
The patent application CN119384270 primarily concerns a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The core innovation lies in a specific formulation that combines levodopa and carbidopa, essential components in Parkinson's therapy. This combination is designed to improve the efficacy and patient experience of levodopa administration.
What are the Key Components of the Patented Composition?
The composition detailed in CN119384270 includes:
- Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients:
- Levodopa: A precursor to dopamine, used to replenish dopamine levels in the brain.
- Carbidopa: A peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor that prevents the breakdown of levodopa in the bloodstream, allowing more levodopa to reach the brain.
- Excipients: The formulation also comprises various inactive ingredients, including binders, fillers, disintegrants, and lubricants, standard in solid dosage forms.
- Enteric Coating: A critical element of the invention is the enteric coating applied to the pharmaceutical composition. This coating is designed to protect the active ingredients from the acidic environment of the stomach.
How Does the Enteric Coating Function?
The enteric coating serves a specific purpose in controlling the release of the active pharmaceutical ingredients. Its pH-dependent solubility means that it remains intact in the stomach's acidic environment. Upon reaching the more alkaline conditions of the small intestine, the coating dissolves, releasing the levodopa and carbidopa. This delayed release mechanism is intended to:
- Reduce gastrointestinal side effects associated with immediate levodopa release.
- Optimize the pharmacokinetic profile, potentially leading to more stable plasma concentrations of levodopa.
- Enhance the therapeutic benefit by ensuring a more consistent supply of the drug to the central nervous system.
What are the Specific Claims of CN119384270?
The claims of CN119384270 define the legal boundaries of the patent protection. They are crucial for understanding the scope of the invention and potential infringement.
What are the Primary Claims?
The core claims of CN119384270 focus on the pharmaceutical composition itself and its method of use.
- Claim 1: This claim typically defines the pharmaceutical composition comprising levodopa, carbidopa, and an enteric coating that is resistant to dissolution in an acidic environment and dissolves in a neutral or alkaline environment. Specific proportions of levodopa and carbidopa, and the materials used for the enteric coating, are often detailed.
- Claim 2: This claim might be a dependent claim, further refining Claim 1 by specifying particular components or ratios within the enteric coating, or specific amounts of the active ingredients. For example, it could specify a particular polymer for the coating or a target release profile.
- Claim 3: This claim may relate to a method of treating Parkinson's disease using the claimed pharmaceutical composition. It would likely involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of the composition to a patient suffering from Parkinson's disease.
- Claim 4: This claim could further specify the method of treatment, perhaps by outlining a particular dosage regimen or the patient population to whom the treatment is administered.
What is the Scope of Protection?
The scope of protection offered by CN119384270 is primarily limited to the specific formulation of levodopa and carbidopa with the described enteric coating. This includes:
- The composition itself, irrespective of its use.
- The method of manufacturing the composition, if claimed.
- The use of the composition for treating Parkinson's disease.
The claims are designed to prevent others from making, using, selling, or importing the patented composition or any substantially similar formulation that falls within the scope of the claims.
What is the Patent Landscape for Parkinson's Disease Treatments?
The patent landscape for Parkinson's disease treatments is characterized by continuous innovation, driven by the need for more effective and well-tolerated therapies.
Who are the Key Players in Parkinson's Disease Drug Patents?
Several major pharmaceutical companies and smaller biotech firms are active in patenting Parkinson's disease treatments. These include, but are not limited to:
- Global Pharmaceutical Giants: Companies like Novartis, Roche, AbbVie, and Pfizer have historically invested heavily in neurodegenerative disease research and hold a significant number of patents related to Parkinson's disease.
- Biotechnology Companies: Newer entrants and specialized biotech firms are often focused on novel mechanisms of action, gene therapy, or advanced drug delivery systems. Examples include companies working on alpha-synuclein targeting therapies or stem cell-based treatments.
- Academic Institutions and Research Centers: Universities and research institutions also contribute to the patent landscape through their foundational discoveries and the licensing of new technologies.
What are the Trends in Parkinson's Disease Patent Filings?
Recent patent filings in the Parkinson's disease space reveal several key trends:
- Improved Drug Delivery Systems: A significant portion of recent patents focus on novel formulations and delivery methods to improve drug bioavailability, reduce side effects, and achieve more consistent therapeutic effects. This includes extended-release formulations, transdermal patches, and even implantable devices. CN119384270 aligns with this trend through its enteric-coated formulation.
- Combination Therapies: Patents are frequently filed for combinations of existing drugs or for novel therapies targeting multiple pathways involved in Parkinson's pathogenesis. This reflects a move towards more comprehensive treatment strategies.
- Disease-Modifying Therapies: While symptomatic treatments like levodopa remain crucial, there is a growing interest in patenting therapies aimed at slowing or halting disease progression. This includes agents targeting alpha-synuclein aggregation, neuroinflammation, or neuroprotection.
- Personalized Medicine: Emerging patent activity also hints at approaches for personalized medicine, potentially involving genetic profiling or biomarker identification to tailor treatments to individual patients.
How Does CN119384270 Fit into the Landscape?
CN119384270 represents a specific contribution to the ongoing efforts to optimize symptomatic treatment for Parkinson's disease, particularly focusing on levodopa/carbidopa therapy. By addressing the challenges of gastric degradation and inconsistent absorption, the patented enteric coating aims to improve the established efficacy of this gold-standard treatment. This positions the patent within the segment of improved delivery systems for existing therapeutics, a critical area for extending product lifecycles and enhancing patient outcomes. The novelty lies in the specific composition and the controlled release mechanism achieved through the enteric coating, differentiating it from standard immediate-release formulations.
Analysis of Prior Art and Potential Challenges
A comprehensive understanding of the patent landscape requires an analysis of existing patents and scientific literature that might anticipate or render obvious the invention claimed in CN119384270.
What Constitutes Relevant Prior Art?
Prior art for CN119384270 would include any publicly available information before its filing date that describes or suggests:
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing levodopa and carbidopa.
- Enteric coatings applied to pharmaceutical formulations.
- Controlled-release formulations of levodopa and carbidopa.
- Methods of treating Parkinson's disease using levodopa and carbidopa, especially those involving modified release.
Examples of relevant prior art might include existing extended-release carbidopa-levodopa products (e.g., Rytary, Sinemet CR), patents describing enteric-coated drug formulations for other indications, or scientific publications detailing the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of levodopa.
What are Potential Patentability Challenges?
Potential challenges to the patentability of CN119384270 could arise if the claimed invention is not considered novel or is obvious in light of the prior art.
- Novelty: If a prior art document describes a pharmaceutical composition that is identical or substantially identical to the one claimed in CN119384270, the novelty requirement would not be met.
- Obviousness: Even if no single prior art document discloses the exact invention, a patent examiner might determine the invention to be obvious if a person skilled in the art, combining elements from different prior art references, could readily arrive at the claimed invention. For instance, if enteric coating technology is well-established and its application to levodopa/carbidopa formulations for improved absorption is a predictable outcome, the invention might be deemed obvious.
- Sufficiency of Disclosure: The patent application must adequately describe the invention to enable a skilled person to reproduce it. Any ambiguities or lack of detail in the description of the enteric coating composition or its function could be a point of challenge.
The patent office's examination process will rigorously assess these factors.
Conclusion
China patent application CN119384270 presents a specific formulation of levodopa and carbidopa with an enteric coating designed to improve the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The claims focus on this controlled-release composition and its therapeutic application. The patent landscape for Parkinson's disease treatments is dynamic, with significant activity in drug delivery optimization, combination therapies, and disease-modifying agents. CN119384270 occupies a niche within the improved drug delivery segment, aiming to enhance the efficacy and tolerability of a foundational Parkinson's therapy. A thorough assessment of prior art will be critical in determining the strength and enforceability of the granted patent.
Key Takeaways
- CN119384270 claims a pharmaceutical composition for Parkinson's disease featuring levodopa, carbidopa, and a pH-dependent enteric coating.
- The enteric coating aims to protect active ingredients from stomach acid and control drug release in the small intestine.
- The patent landscape for Parkinson's disease treatments is competitive, with trends towards improved drug delivery, combination therapies, and disease-modifying agents.
- The patent's strength will depend on its novelty and non-obviousness in relation to existing technologies and scientific literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the primary benefit of the enteric coating in CN119384270?
The enteric coating is designed to prevent the premature degradation of levodopa and carbidopa in the acidic environment of the stomach and to control their release in the small intestine, potentially leading to reduced gastrointestinal side effects and more stable drug absorption.
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Does CN119384270 claim a new drug molecule?
No, CN119384270 does not claim a new drug molecule. It claims a specific pharmaceutical composition and formulation of existing active ingredients, levodopa and carbidopa, with a particular type of coating.
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What is the typical lifecycle of a drug patent in China?
The standard patent term in China is 20 years from the filing date. However, for pharmaceutical patents, there are provisions for patent term extensions to compensate for regulatory delays, which can extend the effective market exclusivity period.
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How can a competitor design around CN119384270 if a patent is granted?
Competitors could explore alternative delivery systems that do not infringe the specific claims, such as different types of controlled-release mechanisms not employing an enteric coating, or compositions with significantly different active ingredients or ratios. They could also challenge the patent's validity based on prior art.
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What is the significance of the filing date for CN119384270?
The filing date establishes the priority date for the invention. All prior art that became publicly available before this date will be considered during the patent examination process. This date is crucial for determining novelty and obviousness.
Citations
[1] Jiangsu Aikon Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (2024). Pharmaceutical composition for treating Parkinson's disease and preparation method thereof. China Patent Application CN119384270.
