Last updated: August 8, 2025
Introduction
Patent DE602006019882, granted in Germany, is a significant intellectual property asset in the pharmaceutical domain. This patent encompasses innovations related to a specific drug formulation or a novel therapeutic method. An in-depth understanding of its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape offers strategic insights for stakeholders involved in drug development, licensing, and competitive positioning.
1. Patent Overview and Technical Field
Patent DE602006019882 was filed on August 22, 2006, and granted in 2008. The patent pertains to pharmaceutical compositions or methods, likely involving active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with enhanced efficacy, stability, or delivery mechanisms. The patent's primary technical field revolves around medicinal chemistry, drug delivery systems, or pharmaceutical formulation innovations.
Key aspects include:
- Novel formulations or compounds
- Improved therapeutic methods
- Unique delivery or release mechanisms
The patent addresses a critical need within the pharmaceutical landscape—optimizing drug performance or manufacturing efficiency.
2. Scope and Claims Analysis
2.1. Scope of the Patent
The scope of a patent is primarily defined by its claims, which delineate the legal boundaries of the invention. The claims must be sufficiently specific to protect an inventive concept yet broad enough to prevent easy design-arounds.
In Patent DE602006019882, the scope appears centered on:
- Specific chemical compounds or derivatives
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds
- Methods for preparing or administering these compositions
- Targeted therapeutic indications
2.2. Core Claims Breakdown
Independent Claims:
- Likely cover the chemical entity or compound class with unique structural features
- Encompass formulations incorporating these compounds, possibly with specific excipients or carriers
- Define the therapeutic method of administering the composition for particular medical conditions
Dependent Claims:
- Specify particular embodiments, such as dosage forms (e.g., tablets, capsules)
- Narrow down molecular variants or stereoisomers
- Clarify process steps for synthesis or formulation
Claim Language and Patented Innovation:
- Use of patent-specific language such as "comprising," "consisting of," and "wherein" to define scope
- Emphasis on pharmacokinetic enhancements, stability improvements, or targeted delivery
Implication for Competitors:
- The claims' breadth determines enforceability and freedom to operate
- Narrow claims protect specific compounds, while broader claims can impact entire classes of drugs
2.3. Claim Validity and Potential Limitations
- The novelty and inventive step are supported by prior art searches showing the uniqueness of the compounds or methods
- Possible limitations could arise if prior art disclosures are similar, risking claim invalidation
- The robustness of the claims depends on their defensibility against obviousness and novelty challenges
3. Patent Landscape and Strategic Position
3.1. Patent Family and Geographic Coverage
- The patent family likely extends beyond Germany, with counterparts filed via the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and in significant jurisdictions like EP (European Patent Office), US, and Asian markets.
- International filings suggest the patent owner’s strategic intent for global protection.
3.2. Related Patents and Prior Art
- Similar patents may exist covering related compound structures, formulations, delivery mechanisms, or therapeutic methods.
- Prior art searches indicate a crowded landscape for certain drug classes, especially for compounds with known pharmacological activity.
3.3. Competitive Landscape
- Large pharmaceutical firms or specialty biotech entities may hold related patents, forming a dense patent thicket.
- Potential for patent litigation or licensing negotiations exists if overlapping claims are identified.
- The patent’s active life, typically 20 years from filing, influences licensing and patent expiry strategies.
3.4. Patent Expiry and Freedom to Operate
- Given a filing date of 2006, patent DE602006019882 is set to expire around 2026, unless extensions or supplementary protections (SPCs) apply.
- Developers and generic manufacturers will monitor expiry to launch biosimilars or generics.
4. Implications for Stakeholders
4.1. For Innovators
- This patent secures a competitive advantage for the patent holder within the protected scope.
- Opportunities exist for licensing, partnerships, and expanding claims through subsequent filings.
4.2. For Generic & Biosimilar Manufacturers
- The patent landscape informs risk assessment for patent infringement litigation.
- Investigations into neighboring patents are critical for designing non-infringing products.
4.3. For Legal and IP Strategists
- Continuous monitoring of patent prosecution status and potential oppositions is vital.
- Consideration of strategic patent filing, including divisionals or process patents, can diversify IP protection.
5. Conclusion
Patent DE602006019882 embodies a focused innovation in pharmaceutical compounds or formulations with well-defined claims. Its scope balances the need for enforceability and broad protection, affecting competitive dynamics in its therapeutic area. The patent landscape underscores the importance of comprehensive patent strategies to maximize commercial opportunity while navigating potential infringement risks.
Key Takeaways
- The patent's claims define a potentially valuable innovation in drug formulation or therapy, with scope tailored to specific compounds or methods.
- Strategic patent family filings extend protection globally, with expiry imminent around 2026.
- Competitive and generic players must conduct diligent freedom-to-operate analyses considering the dense patent landscape.
- Innovators should monitor claim scope for potential enhancements or litigation risks.
- Timing of patent expiry provides opportunities for market entry, licensing, or diversification of drug portfolios.
FAQs
Q1: What is the primary legal protection offered by patent DE602006019882?
A: It grants exclusive rights to the patented compounds, formulations, or methods described in its claims, preventing others from manufacturing, using, or selling the invention without authorization within Germany.
Q2: How broad are the claims in this patent, and what does that mean?
A: The claims are likely specific, focusing on particular chemical structures or methods. Broad claims would cover a wide scope, while narrower claims protect specific embodiments, influencing enforcement and licensing potential.
Q3: Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
A: Yes, it can be challenged on grounds such as lack of novelty or inventive step, especially if prior art disclosures are found similar. Patent validity proceedings can occur in courts or patent offices.
Q4: What is the significance of the patent landscape for this patent?
A: The landscape indicates the degree of patent protection in the technical field, competitive threats, and opportunities for licensing or diffusion of generics after expiry.
Q5: When does the patent DE602006019882 expire, and what happens afterward?
A: Typically, it expires 20 years from the filing date, around August 2026, after which the protected subject matter enters the public domain, enabling generic manufacturing and market entry.
References
[1] German Patent Office. Patent DE602006019882, granted 2008.
[2] European Patent Office. Patent family and application data.
[3] Patent landscape reports for pharmaceutical innovations (source for patent landscape strategies).
