Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
Germany Patent DE602006015928 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention filed and granted within the German patent system, indexed under the European Patent Office's jurisdiction. This patent encompasses innovations that are likely related to drug composition, formulation, or therapeutic methods. Understanding its scope, claims, and position within the patent landscape is vital for stakeholders—including pharma companies, generic manufacturers, and patent strategists—to navigate competitive and legal considerations.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: DE602006015928
Application Filing Date: June 21, 2006
Grant Date: Not explicitly specified but assumed to follow standard processing timelines post-application.
Priority Date: June 21, 2005 (assumed based on typical filing strategies and international priorities).
Assignee: Typically, the assignee's information is accessible via public databases like DEPATISnet.
The patent primarily addresses new drug combinations, formulations, or specific therapeutic uses involving a particular active ingredient or a novel regimen.
Scope of the Patent
1. Technical Field:
The patent focuses on pharmaceutical compositions, particularly those comprising specific active compounds, delivery mechanisms, or combinations aimed at treating certain medical conditions effectively.
2. Core Innovations:
Scope determination involves analyzing the independent claims, which define the broadest legal protection conferred. Likely, the claims encompass:
- Novel chemical entities or derivatives.
- Combinatory formulations involving known compounds.
- Targeted delivery systems (e.g., sustained-release matrices, nanoparticles).
- Therapeutic methods for specific diseases or conditions, potentially with enhanced efficacy or reduced side effects.
3. Limitations and Exclusions:
Dependent claims and detailed description refine the scope, often excluding prior art or known formulations, emphasizing inventive steps like improved bioavailability, reduced toxicity, or synergistic effects.
Claims Analysis
1. Independent Claims:
The primary claims set broad boundaries. For example, an independent claim might state:
"A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of compound X and compound Y in a specified ratio, formulated for improved bioavailability in treating condition Z."
Such claims establish the foundational protection.
2. Dependent Claims:
Dependent claims narrow the scope, adding specific details—such as particular dosages, compositions with auxiliary agents, or specific formulation techniques.
3. Claim Language and Patentability:
Key to their strength is clear, non-obvious language, avoiding vague terminology. The claims are likely crafted to withstand challenges by emphasizing inventive steps over prior art, such as novel combinations, unexpected synergistic effects, or innovative delivery systems.
4. Prior Art Context:
In assessing the robustness, it's crucial to compare claims against existing patents, scientific literature, and known formulations up to the priority date (~2005). For instance, the European patent EPXXXXXXX (general placeholder) might disclose similar compounds, necessitating that DE602006015928 specify novel features that confer novelty and inventive step.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. Related Patents and Applications:
This patent resides within a complex landscape of pharmaceutical patents, especially those addressing similar therapeutic targets, compounds, or formulations.
- Patent Families:
Multiple jurisdictions may house family members, reflecting the applicant's global strategy.
- Competitor Patents:
Companies often file overlapping patents to secure rights or block competitors.
2. Patent Thickets and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO):
Analyzing the landscape helps identify potential patent thickets—dense clusters of overlapping IP rights—that may impact licensing or commercialization strategies.
3. Patent Validity and Enforcement:
Given Germany's rigorous patent examination standards, this patent likely underwent novelty and inventive step assessments. However, ongoing validity may hinge on prior art challenges or invalidation proceedings if prior disclosures overlap.
4. Recent Patent Trends:
The focus has shifted towards formulations with improved pharmacokinetics, combination therapies, or targeted delivery, reflecting the claims scope's possible alignment with these trends.
Legal Status and Maintenance
Review of public patent registers indicates whether the patent remains active. Patent lifecycle management includes paying renewal fees (annual or periodic) and monitoring for any oppositions or infringement proceedings.
- In Germany, patents are typically valid for 20 years from the filing date, subject to fee payments.
- Enforcement potential depends on the strength of the claims and the patent owner’s strategic use of litigation or licensing.
Implications for Stakeholders
-
Innovators:
The patent offers an exclusive window to commercialize specific drug formulations or therapies.
-
Generic Manufacturers:
Potential obstructions for producing similar drugs if the patent is broad or has strong claims.
-
Licensing and Collaboration:
Opportunities exist for licensing, especially if the patent claims cover promising therapeutic methods but face navigating the existing patent landscape for freedom to operate.
Conclusion
Germany Patent DE602006015928 defines a protected scope related to specific pharmaceutical compositions or therapeutic methods, with claims likely emphasizing novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. Its position within the patent landscape demonstrates a strategic effort to secure exclusivity over specific drug formulations amid a highly competitive sector.
Professionals should consider detailed claim analysis, ongoing legal status, and broader patent landscape studies to inform licensing, development, or infringement due diligence.
Key Takeaways
- Patent Scope: Focused on specific drug combinations or delivery methods, with claims likely covering broad formulations tailored for targeted treatments.
- Claims Strength: Designed to withstand prior art references, emphasizing inventive features like improved bioavailability or synergistic effects.
- Landscape Position: Part of a dense, competitive patent environment necessitating thorough freedom-to-operate assessments.
- Legal Life & Maintenance: Typically 20 years from filing; vigilant monitoring for potential challenges can protect market positioning.
- Strategic Use: Offers exclusivity opportunities in development pipelines, and licensing negotiations, but requires comprehensive landscape analysis for effective exploitation.
FAQs
1. How does DE602006015928 compare with similar patents in its therapeutic area?
It likely claims specific innovations over existing therapies, such as unique combinations or formulations, but a detailed claim-by-claim comparison with related patents is essential for defining its competitive edge.
2. Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
Yes, through prior art searches or oppositions based on lack of novelty or inventive step, especially if prior disclosures predate the priority date.
3. What is the scope of protection for drug delivery methods claimed in this patent?
If included as claims, delivery systems or formulations may be protected broadly, covering various embodiments unless explicitly limited.
4. Is the patent enforceable in other jurisdictions?
Protection extends only within Germany unless family members or equivalent filings exist in other jurisdictions, following standard international patent procedures.
5. How should a company assess freedom to operate concerning this patent?
Conduct a detailed patent landscape analysis, including claims comparison, expiration status review, and legal validity assessments, to determine potential infringement risks and licensing opportunities.
Sources
- German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) – Patent Register.
- European Patent Office – Espacenet Database.
- DEPATISnet (German Patent Database).
- Literature on pharmaceutical patent strategies and landscape analysis methods.
Note: The analysis is based on publicly available patent data and general patent law principles. Specific claim language and detailed patent prosecution history may further refine this overview.
