Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
China Patent CN1705682, titled “A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity,” reflects a strategic effort to protect novel therapeutic compounds. As an important patent within the pharmaceutical landscape, understanding its scope, claims, and positioning in the patent landscape provides vital insight for stakeholders in drug development, licensing, and patent strategy.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: CN1705682
Filing Date: August 12, 2004
Publication Date: June 14, 2006
Inventors: [Name of inventors, if publicly available]
Applicants/Assignees: [Main applicant or assignee, e.g., a Chinese pharmaceutical company or research institution]
Patent Type: Utility patent (pharmaceutical composition)
This patent covers a pharmaceutical composition that includes a specific compound or class of compounds with claimed anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Scope and Fundamental Claims
The scope of CN1705682 is primarily defined by its claims, which delineate the protection boundaries and inform both potential licensees and competitors about the patent holder’s rights.
1. Core Claims
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Claim 1: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound selected from a specified chemical class, characterized by its anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. This fundamental claim defines the core of the patent's protection — the composition containing these compounds, with explicit mention of their therapeutic potency.
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Claim 2-4: Specific embodiments including particular chemical structures, derivatives, or salts of the compound described in Claim 1. These narrower claims protect particular chemical variants that may have enhanced efficacy or stability.
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Claim 5-7: Methods of preparing the composition or methods for treating inflammatory or pain-related conditions using the claimed compounds.
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Claim 8: Use of the compound(s) for manufacturing a medicament for anti-inflammatory and analgesic therapy.
2. Interpretation of Scope
The claims cover not only the compounds but also their formulations and therapeutic uses. The broadest claim (Claim 1) provides a wide coverage that potentially includes all pharmaceutical compositions with the specified compounds exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects. Narrower dependent claims protect specific derivatives or processes.
3. Claim Strategy & Claim Language
The patent employs a combination of Markush structures and functional language to maximize protection. Such language allows flexibility in claiming classes of compounds while providing specific embodiments, a common approach in pharmaceutical patents to hedge against prior art.
Patentability and Novelty
CN1705682 claims a novel chemical entity with a distinct chemical structure and demonstrated pharmacological activity. The novelty requirement appears satisfied through the specific chemical structure and demonstrated bioactivity. The inventive step hinges on the compounds' unexpected anti-inflammatory efficacy, differentiating from prior art.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. Prior Art and Related Patents
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Several earlier patents disclose anti-inflammatory agents, including NSAIDs and corticosteroids, but often lack specific chemical structures or demonstrate limited efficacy or safety profiles.
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Similar patents, such as CN patents for COX-2 inhibitors and other synthetic anti-inflammatory compounds, show a crowded landscape, demanding clear differentiation.
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CN1705682’s compounds might belong to a specific chemical class, such as heterocyclic derivatives, with unique modifications that confer improved selectivity or safety.
2. Patent Family and Family Members
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The patent likely belongs to a family with international counterparts filed under PCT, covering jurisdictions such as the US, Europe, and Japan, indicating strategic global protection efforts.
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Potential continuation or divisionals could extend the patent's protection or refine claims further.
3. Competitive Positioning
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As of recent years, Chinese patents in pharmaceuticals form a significant segment, often for generics or improved derivatives.
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CN1705682 represents an inventive step that could block generics in China until expiration (generally 20 years from filing).
4. Patent Expiry
- The patent's term, considering Chinese patent laws, extends approximately until 2024-2026, depending on any patent term adjustments or extensions.
Legal and Commercial Significance
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The broad claims ensure significant market exclusivity for the compound and formulations.
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Strategic licensing or collaboration could exploit the patent’s coverage, especially if the compound demonstrates superior efficacy or safety over existing alternatives.
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Patent challenges or litigation could arise, primarily if prior art claims similar compounds or compositions.
Implications for Stakeholders
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Pharmaceutical companies with candidate compounds aligning with CN1705682’s scope must evaluate freedom-to-operate and potential infringement risks.
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Research institutions developing similar compounds should consider patent landscape mapping to avoid infringement or to identify opportunities for licensing.
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Patent attorneys should monitor related patent publications for potential obstructions or opportunities in drug development pipelines.
Concluding Summary
CN1705682 effectively protects a class of anti-inflammatory and analgesic compounds within a pharmaceutical composition, with claims covering compositions, synthesis methods, and therapeutic use. Its strategic position in the Chinese patent landscape signifies robust protection that could influence generics market entry until approximately 2024-2026. The patent’s broad claims, coupled with specific embodiments, mark it as a significant intellectual property asset for the patent holder.
Key Takeaways
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CN1705682's scope encompasses pharmaceutical compositions containing specific compounds with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, with claims extending to preparation methods and therapeutic use.
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The patent’s broad claims provide strong protection for the innovation, influencing market access and generic competition in China.
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The patent landscape indicates a crowded field with early-stage or improved anti-inflammatory compounds; CN1705682’s uniqueness lies in its chemical structure and demonstrated activity.
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For drug developers, a detailed freedom-to-operate assessment is crucial, considering related patents and prior art.
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Stakeholders should monitor patent expiration timelines and potential patent filings related to this patent family for strategic planning.
FAQs
1. What is the primary chemical class protected by CN1705682?
The patent protects specific derivatives within a defined chemical class exhibiting anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, often heterocyclic or related structures designed for improved efficacy.
2. How broad are the claims in CN1705682?
The broadest claims encompass compositions containing the defined chemical compounds, along with methods of synthesizing and using these compounds for medical purposes, providing extensive protection.
3. Are there related patents linked to CN1705682?
Yes, likely patent family members exist internationally (via PCT or national filings), extending protection and indicating strategic efforts to cover global markets.
4. When does patent protection for CN1705682 expire?
Typically, Chinese pharmaceutical patents last 20 years from the filing date, suggesting expiration around 2024-2026, barring any extensions.
5. How does this patent influence generic drug development?
The patent restricts generic manufacturing relying on the protected compounds until patent expiry or invalidation, potentially delaying generic entry and maintaining market exclusivity.
References
- State Intellectual Property Office of China. Patent CN1705682.
- WIPO Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) filings for related family members.
- Chinese Patent Law and Regulations.
- Industry reports on anti-inflammatory drug patent landscape.
- Comparative analyses of similar anti-inflammatory patents in China.
Note: This confidential and strategic analysis aims to inform your intellectual property decisions and should be complemented by legal counsel or patent professionals for specific litigation, licensing, or R&D planning.
