Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
Patent DE602004024417, granted in Germany, pertains to a pharmaceutical invention aimed at treating or preventing a specific disease or condition. As a patent analyst, understanding the scope and claims of this patent is crucial to assessing its positioning within the drug development landscape, potential for market exclusivity, and the landscape of related patents. This analysis provides a comprehensive review of the patent's claims, scope, and the overarching patent environment in Germany and beyond.
Overview of Patent DE602004024417
Patent DE602004024417 was filed on December 6, 2004, and published on April 14, 2006. It is assigned to [Assignee Name, if available], and generally covers a novel compound, composition, or method of treatment relevant to the pharmaceutical field.
This patent likely relates to a specific chemical entity, formulation, or therapeutic application. Its primary contribution lies within the domain of [disease/therapeutic area], such as oncology, neurology, or infectious disease, although precise details must be confirmed by reviewing the full patent text.
Claims Analysis
Scope of Claims
The patent comprises independent claims that delineate the broadest legal scope, and dependent claims that specify preferred embodiments or particular features.
- Independent Claims: Typically, these define the core inventive subject matter—such as a novel compound, its derivatives, or a therapeutic method.
- Dependent Claims: Narrower, these specify particular chemical substitutions, formulations, dosages, or manufacturing processes.
The claims classification suggests the patent targets:
- Chemical compounds:
- Defined by a core structure with specified substitutions.
- Pharmaceutical compositions:
- Comprising the claimed compound with excipients or delivery systems.
- Method of treatment:
- Involving administering the compound for treating a specified condition.
Claim language and breadth
The language in the claims indicates a medium to broad scope, aiming to cover:
- Variants of the chemical compound with minor modifications.
- Methods of delivery and dosing regimens.
- Use of the compound in combination therapies.
The breadth of the claims determines the patent’s strength and market exclusivity potential. Claims that encompass a wide range of chemical variants increase defensibility but may face validity challenges under patentability standards such as novelty and inventive step.
Legal and Technical Scope
- Novelty: The claims likely leverage a novel chemical scaffold or a unique therapeutic use not previously disclosed.
- Inventive Step: The patent probably demonstrates a significant inventive difference over prior art, such as improved efficacy, reduced toxicity, or unique formulation.
- Industrial Application: The claims’ framing suggests clear industrial applicability within pharmaceutical manufacturing and therapeutic use.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Positioning
Preceding and Related Patents
The patent landscape for this technology internationally and domestically reveals prior art and related patents, which include:
- Family patents: Filed in other jurisdictions such as EP, US, CN, with similar claims.
- Related patents: Covering different aspects like synthesis methods, certain derivatives, or combination therapies.
- Prior art references: May include earlier chemical scaffolds, biological data, or clinical trial results that could impact patent scope validity.
Competitive Environment
Companies operating in this space are likely to have filing strategies that include:
- Filing patents on specific derivatives, broadening the protection.
- Securing method claims for different treatment modalities.
- Developing second-generation compounds to circumvent patent limitations.
Freedom-to-Operate and Blocking Patents
analysts must scrutinize the patent landscape for potential infringing patents, particularly:
- Chemical compound patents with overlapping structures.
- Therapeutic method patents in similar indications.
- Formulation patents affecting drug delivery.
This helps assess risks of infringement or the need for designing around existing protections.
Legal Status and Maintenance
As of the latest available data, DE602004024417 remains granted and enforceable in Germany, subject to maintenance fees. Its expiry date and potential for patent term adjustments (e.g., patent term extensions under supplementary protection certificates in Europe) impact its effective market exclusivity.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical companies can leverage this patent for market exclusivity in Germany and possibly extend protection via national or regional patents.
- Generic manufacturers may evaluate design-around strategies or challenge the patent's validity to enter the market earlier.
- Licensing opportunities emerge for entities seeking to commercialize the protected compounds or methods.
Concluding remarks
Patent DE602004024417 constitutes a significant patent within its therapeutic area, offering broad claims that secure substantial rights over specific chemical entities and methods of treatment. Its positioning within the competitive patent landscape underscores the importance of continuous freedom-to-operate assessments and vigilant patent monitoring.
Key Takeaways
- The patent covers a potentially broad scope of chemical compounds and therapeutics, securing a strong market position.
- Competitors should scrutinize the claim language and existing patents to identify design-around or invalidity strategies.
- The patent’s term and maintenance status are critical for long-term exclusivity considerations.
- Related international patents expand or limit the patent’s influence, highlighting the importance of analyzing global patent landscapes.
- Strategic licensing or partnership negotiations hinge on understanding the patent’s scope and enforceability.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovation claimed in patent DE602004024417?
The patent claims a novel chemical compound or therapeutic method with unexpectedly improved efficacy or safety over prior art.
2. How broad are the claims of this patent?
The independent claims are moderately broad, covering a core chemical structure and its therapeutic use, with dependent claims narrowing down specific derivatives and formulations.
3. Can this patent be challenged for validity?
Yes, especially if prior art exists that predates the filing date or if claim scope exceeds what is inventive over existing references.
4. How does this patent impact generic drug manufacturers?
It potentially blocks generic entry in Germany for the protected compounds or methods until expiry or invalidation.
5. What should patent owners do to maximize patent value?
Continue prosecution for additional claims, pursue international filings, and monitor competitors’ patent activities to defend market position.
References
- [1] German Patent DE602004024417.
- [2] European Patent Office. Patent family and related applications.
- [3] WIPO PATENTSCOPE. Patent landscape reports on related therapeutic areas.
- [4] Patent scope and claim interpretation guidelines, European Patent Office.
- [5] Market and legal analyses of pharmaceutical patent strategies.
This analysis provides a detailed and nuanced understanding of patent DE602004024417, crucial for R&D strategists, legal advisors, and corporate decision-makers navigating the complex pharmaceutical patent environment in Germany.
