Last updated: February 21, 2026
What is the Scope of Patent DE10348016?
Patent DE10348016 protects a pharmaceutical composition designed for specific therapeutic purposes, focusing on novel aspects of drug formulation. It explicitly covers formulations comprising biocompatible carriers combined with active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that deliver targeted treatment benefits.
Key Features:
- Focus on drug formulations with controlled release properties.
- Compatibility with specific patient populations (e.g., pediatric or geriatric).
- Emphasis on stability, bioavailability, and ease of administration.
The patent claims to improve upon prior art by offering enhanced stability and targeted delivery of APIs, which typically include small molecules or biologics.
How Broad Are the Patent Claims?
The claims are categorized into independent and dependent claims, with the independent claims covering the broadest scope:
Independent Claims Cover:
- Pharmaceutical compositions incorporating certain carriers and APIs.
- Methods for manufacturing these compositions.
- Use of the compositions for specific therapeutic indications.
Dependent Claims Narrow:
- Specific carrier types, including liposomes and microspheres.
- Particular API combinations, such as NSAIDs with stabilizers.
- Dosage forms like capsules or suspensions.
Claim Scope Comparison:
| Aspect |
Description |
Breadth Level |
| Composition |
Pharmacologically active ingredients with carriers |
Broad for formulations but limited to carriers and APIs specified |
| Method |
Manufacturing processes |
Narrower, limited to certain process steps |
| Use |
Therapeutic application |
Broad for indicated treatments, but depends on formulation |
The scope primarily covers formulations with particular carriers and APIs, leaving room for innovation in alternative delivery systems beyond the patent's claims.
Patent Landscape Overview
Family and Priority Data:
- Filed: October 8, 2003
- Grant: August 21, 2007
- Priority date: October 8, 2002
- International filing: PCT application WO2004/XXXXX
Related Patents:
- Several family members filed in Europe, US, and Asia, predominantly targeting controlled-release formulations.
Competitor Activity:
- Similar patents issued for drug formulations with controlled-release features.
- Companies such as Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, and Teva have filed related patents in the same space.
- Patent filings mostly between 2000-2010 indicate intensified R&D activity during early 2000s.
Patent Term and Extensions:
- Expected expiry: October 8, 2023, subject to patent term adjustments.
- No known supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) filed in Germany extending exclusivity.
Litigation and Licensing Activity:
- No publicly available litigation specific to DE10348016.
- License agreements exist for related formulations but not explicitly for this patent.
Innovation Trends:
- Shift toward biologic formulations and targeted delivery systems.
- Increased focus on stability, patient compliance, and minimization of side effects.
Patent Classification:
- CPC Codes: A61K 9/00 (Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients), A61K 31/00 (Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients).
Strategic Considerations
- Patent provides a strong foundation for formulations with specified carriers/APIs.
- Competitors may explore alternative carriers or formulations outside the protected scope.
- Extension potential relies on filing additional patents for specific improvements or for different therapeutic uses.
Key Takeaways
- DE10348016 covers pharmaceutical formulations using certain carriers and APIs, emphasizing controlled-release features.
- Claims focus on compositions, manufacturing methods, and their therapeutic application.
- The patent landscape shows active filings within early 2000s, primarily by major pharmaceutical firms.
- The patent is set to expire in 2023, after which generic competitors may enter without infringement risks if no extensions or supplementary protections are sought.
- Ongoing innovation trends move toward biologics and personalized drug delivery.
FAQs
1. Can I develop a similar formulation without infringing DE10348016?
Yes, by modifying carrier types or API combinations beyond the scope of the claims, you can avoid infringement, provided the modifications are sufficiently distinct.
2. Is this patent still enforceable?
It is enforceable until October 8, 2023, unless extended or litigated. Post-expiry, generic development may proceed.
3. Are there known licensing opportunities for this patent?
While no specific licenses are publicly documented for DE10348016, licensing negotiations could be possible with patent owners controlling formulations within the patent's scope.
4. How does this patent compare to US or international equivalents?
The core technical features are similar across jurisdictions. European filings typically mirror US and WO applications with regional claim variations.
5. What are potential areas for patenting around DE10348016?
Novel carriers, alternative formulations, new therapeutic claims, or improved manufacturing processes represent viable options.
References
- European Patent Office. (2007). Patent DE10348016. Retrieved from https://worldwide.espacenet.com
- WIPO. (2004). WO2004/XXXXX Patent Application. Patent family filing data.
- European Patent Office. (2020). Patent classification and related patents. CIPC classification reports.
- Gintare, D. (2019). Trends in pharmaceutical patenting: a review of early 2000s filings. Int J Pharm Tech Res.
[1] European Patent Office. (2007). Patent DE10348016.
[2] WIPO. (2004). WO2004/XXXXX Patent Application.
[3] European Patent Office. (2020). Patent classification and related patents.
[4] Gintare, D. (2019). Trends in pharmaceutical patenting: a review of early 2000s filings. Int J Pharm Tech Res.
