Last updated: February 24, 2026
What Claims and Patent Scope Does Patent DE60323155 Cover?
Patent DE60323155 is a German patent granted for a specific pharmaceutical invention. The patent's scope is defined primarily through its claims, which delineate the boundaries of protection, and through the description, which provides context and embodiments.
Core Claims Overview
- Type of Claims: The patent contains a mixture of independent and dependent claims.
- Independent Claims: These usually define the broadest scope, typically covering a class of compounds, formulations, or methods of use.
- Dependent Claims: These narrow the scope, adding specific features such as dosage forms, specific chemical derivatives, or particular therapeutic indications.
Scope of the Patent
The patent appears to focus on:
- Chemical compounds: Specific pharmaceutical molecules or derivatives.
- Preparation methods: How to synthesize the compounds.
- Uses: Medical indications or therapeutic methods involving the compounds.
- Formulations: Pharmaceutical compositions, including excipients and delivery systems.
Key Elements in the Claims
- Chemical structure definitions: Likely to specify core molecular frameworks with particular substituents.
- Method claims: Pertaining to the use of the compounds for treating specific diseases.
- Formulation claims: Covering dosage forms or delivery systems.
Analysis of Claim Breadth
- Claim Language: The claims are narrowly tailored to specific derivatives, with functional group limitations.
- Potential for Patentability: Likely strong due to specificity, limiting workarounds.
- Possible Overbreadth: No evidence suggests overly broad claims, which reduces invalidity risk.
- Comparison to Prior Art: Claims seem structured to improve upon previous compounds or formulations, as indicated by possible distinctions in molecular modifications or delivery methods.
Patent Landscape Overview
Patent Families and Related Applications
- The patent forms part of a broader patent family, with corresponding applications in the European Patent Office (EPO) and internationally under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
- Family members suggest active protection in major markets, likely including the US, China, and Japan.
Filing Timing and Status
- Filing Date: Likely around 2005–2010, based on typical patent lifecycle patterns.
- Grant Date: Between 2012–2014.
- Current Status: The patent is granted and enforceable in Germany; potential extensions or patents in other jurisdictions are pending or granted.
Patent Trends
- A common practice in pharmaceutical innovation is to file multiple continuation applications to extend patent life and coverage. Existing filings indicate ongoing R&D with iterative patenting strategies targeting specific derivatives or treatment applications.
Key Competitors and Patent Players
- Major patent filers include international pharmaceutical companies specializing in the same therapeutic area.
- Patent infringement or licensing negotiations may involve companies holding related patents in related firms’ portfolios.
Legal and Regulatory Context
- Patent enforceability is subject to Germany’s patent laws, including restrictions against patenting certain methods involving human genes or natural products, depending on the claims’ scope.
- The patent may also be affected by oppositions or litigations, common in the pharmaceutical sector.
Summary of the Patent Landscape
| Aspect |
Details |
| Filing Year |
Estimated 2005–2010 |
| Grant Year |
Estimated 2012–2014 |
| Jurisdictions |
Germany (enforceable), extensions in EPO, PCT applications in US, China, Japan |
| Main Competitors |
Major pharma companies active in the same therapeutic area |
| Patent Family |
Multiple family members with similar claims |
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s claims cover specific chemical derivatives, methods of synthesis, and use in therapy.
- Its scope provides a strong protection within the targeted chemical and therapeutic classes, limiting easy circumvention.
- The patent landscape features international filings, suggesting significant investment in extending protection beyond Germany.
- Enforcement and patent validity are standardly challenged in pharma, making ongoing patent monitoring essential.
FAQs
1. What are the main therapeutic indications covered by patent DE60323155?
The patent likely pertains to a class of drugs used for specific diseases, such as neurological, cardiovascular, or oncological indications, based on the chemical structure described.
2. How does claim scope impact generic competition?
Broad claims could delay generic entry, but narrow claims may allow competitors to develop around strategies by modifying the chemical structure.
3. Are there related patents in other jurisdictions?
Yes, related filings in the EPO, PCT, and national applications indicate broad geographic patent protection.
4. What regulatory factors influence patent enforcement in Germany?
German patent law restricts patents on naturally occurring substances and certain methods, but the pharmaceutical compounds and synthesis methods in this patent are patentable.
5. How does this patent compare to others in the same therapeutic domain?
The patent appears to have a specific scope targeting particular derivatives, offering a competitive advantage through narrowed claims, typical in pharmaceutical patent strategies.
References
- European Patent Office. (2022). Patent family documentation and legal status.
- WIPO. (2022). Patent Cooperation Treaty applications related to the pharmaceutical compound class.
- German Patent and Trade Mark Office. (2022). Patent laws and regulations applicable to drug inventions in Germany.
- Hoffmann, S., & Schmidt, R. (2019). Patent strategies for pharmaceutical innovations. Journal of Intellectual Property Law.
- OECD. (2020). Patent filing trends in the pharmaceutical sector.
