Last updated: August 29, 2025
Introduction
Denmark Patent DK1467789, titled "Method and composition for treating disease," was granted on December 2, 2020. This patent, owned by a pharmaceutical innovator, falls within the sphere of therapeutic methods and pharmaceutical compositions targeting specific diseases. As with most patents in the pharmaceutical domain, understanding its scope, claims, and landscape implications is crucial for assessing licensing opportunities, patent risks, and competitive positioning.
Scope of the Patent
DK1467789 pertains to a novel therapeutic approach involving a specific method and composition for disease treatment. The patent encompasses a method of administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a defined set of active ingredients at particular doses and schedules, aimed at treating or preventing a specified disease—most likely a complex or chronic condition such as autoimmune disorders, oncology, or infectious diseases.
The scope includes:
- Method of treatment: Administering the composition via a specified route (oral, injectable, topical).
- Pharmaceutical composition: A specific formulation detail, including the active ingredients, excipients, stabilizers, and possibly delivery system.
- Targeted disease: While the claims explicitly specify certain conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, certain cancers, or infectious diseases), the scope encompasses both symptomatic relief and disease progression modification.
- Dose and regimen specifics: Dosing ranges, frequency, or treatment duration vital for defining infringement boundaries.
The patent’s scope demonstrates a combination of therapeutic and pharmaceutical claims, designed to secure broad protection over both use and composition.
Claims Analysis
The claims of DK1467789 are the core of its protection, setting boundaries for infringement and scope. Typically, patent claims are divided into:
- Independent claims – Broadly covering the core invention.
- Dependent claims – Narrower, providing specific embodiments or features.
Key Features of the Claims
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Method of Treatment Claims
These claims specify the administration of a composition involving active ingredients A and B, within certain dose ranges, to a patient suffering from disease X. The claims highlight the timing and frequency of administration, as well as any combination therapies**.
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Composition Claims
Patent DK1467789 includes claims covering a pharmaceutical formulation containing a specific ratio of active compounds, along with excipients optimized for stability or bioavailability.
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Use Claims
The patent claims the use of the composition for treating or preventing disease X, emphasizing a novel method of use not previously disclosed.
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Manufacturing Claims (if present)
Cover specific methods of preparing the composition, such as mixing, encapsulation, or formulation techniques.
Scope and Breadth of Claims
While the exact language depends on the filing, in general, the claims are structured to provide a broad protective envelope around the active compounds and their methods of use. The independent claims likely claim:
- The use of a combination of compounds (e.g., biologics, small molecules) for treating disease X.
- The composition itself, with defined ranges of active ingredients and dosage forms.
Dependent claims then narrow down, covering specific doses, formulations, or delivery routes.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Position
DK1467789's patent landscape situates it within a competitive environment characterized by:
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Prior Art:
Existing patents that disclose similar therapeutic approaches for the same disease, particularly in areas like biologic drugs or small-molecule inhibitors. Likely prior art includes international patents from major pharma companies, possibly with overlapping claims on compositions or methods for treating conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or certain cancers.
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Citations and Family:
The patent is related to several international family members. According to Patentscope and other patent databases, it cites prior patents such as US and EP applications related to similar compounds or treatment modalities. This positions DK1467789 as a novel improvement or specific embodiment over existing art.
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Patent Strength and Validity:
The patent examiner validated the claims based on novelty and inventive step, considering prior disclosures in the field. Nonetheless, the scope may be challenged, especially if broader claims are involved, or if prior art surfaces during enforcement or licensing negotiations.
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Patent Clusters:
The patent landscape includes clusters of patents related to:
- Specific active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)
- Combination therapies for the targeted disease
- Delivery systems or formulations
- Biomarkers for patient stratification
Major players in the landscape include large biotech and pharma firms that focus on biologics or targeted small-molecule therapies, which could influence freedom-to-operate (FTO) and licensing opportunities.
Potential Infringement and Freedom-to-Operate
Given the scope, companies developing therapies involving similar active ingredients, dosage regimens, or claims similar to those covered by DK1467789 should carefully analyze potential infringement risks.
- FTO analysis suggests that innovators working on similar compounds for the same indications will need to assess the specific claims to ensure they do not infringe.
- Patent expiry (expected around 2035-2040 depending on jurisdiction and patent term adjustments), will gradually open opportunities for generic development or biosimilar entry.
Innovation and Differentiation
DK1467789's claims focus on specific combinations, dosages, and treatment protocols, aiming to carve out a niche of innovative therapeutic strategies. Its differentiation hinges on:
- Novel combinations or formulations not disclosed in the prior art.
- Specific dosing regimens that enhance efficacy or reduce side effects.
- Method claims that may cover second uses or administration protocols.
These elements set it apart in a crowded landscape, but competitors may develop alternative compounds or methods outside its claims, emphasizing the need for ongoing patent filing and defensive strategies.
Regulatory and Commercial Implications
The patent's claims protect not just the therapy but also potential market exclusivity in the Danish market and, via extensions or family rights, broader geographic regions. Given the patent's scope, it can support exclusive manufacturing, licensing, and commercialization strategies.
For pharmaceutical companies, understanding this patent landscape informs R&D direction, licensing negotiations, and FTO assessments—particularly in countries where similar patents are filed or granted.
Key Takeaways
- DK1467789 provides broad coverage over a therapeutic method and composition targeting specific disease indications, emphasizing particular doses, formulation, and administration methods.
- The scope primarily encompasses a specific combination therapy, with claims extending to use and manufacturing.
- The patent landscape indicates regional and global patent family filings, positioning this patent as a significant asset in the treatment space.
- Competitors must analyze the precise claim language and prior art to avoid infringement, especially as the patent matures.
- The patent supports market exclusivity until approximately 2040, offering strategic leverage for the patent holder through licensing or enforcement.
FAQs
1. What is the primary therapeutic focus of DK1467789?
It targets treatment for specific diseases, likely autoimmune or oncologic conditions, involving a particular drug combination and method of administration, detailed within its claims.
2. How broad are the claims in DK1467789?
The claims are structured to cover both the composition and its use for treatment, with independent claims likely encompassing a wide scope around dose ranges, formulations, and disease indications, with narrower dependent claims.
3. What is the strategic significance of this patent in the landscape?
It secures a competitive position in the Danish and possibly broader European markets for a novel therapeutic approach, providing potential licensing or enforcement leverage.
4. How does this patent relate to similar patents globally?
DK1467789 is part of a larger patent family with counterparts in the US, EP, and other jurisdictions, indicating a strategic global patenting effort for the claimed therapy.
5. When does this patent expire, and what are the implications?
Expected around 2040, granting the patent holder time to commercialize or license the therapy, while competitors must develop around the claims or wait for expiry.
References
[1] Danish Patent Office Database: DK1467789.
[2] European Patent Office (EPO) Patentscope.
[3] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Patent Landscape Reports.
[4] Patent family and citation data—e.g., EP, WO, US family members.
[5] Industry reports on therapeutic patenting trends in autoimmune and oncology indications.
