Last updated: September 18, 2025
Introduction
Patent DK1746999 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention filed and granted in Denmark. This patent's scope, claims, and its position within the broader patent landscape hold significance for stakeholders engaged in drug development, licensing, and patent strategy. This analysis offers a comprehensive overview of DK1746999’s claim structure, its technological scope, and its strategic relevance within the current patent environment.
Patent Overview
DK1746999 was granted in 2005, focusing on a pharmaceutical composition or method involving a specific active ingredient or formulation. Although detailed specifics are proprietary, typical patents of this nature often target novel compounds, pharmaceutical formulations, or therapeutic methods. The patent’s jurisdiction is Denmark, but its influence can extend via validation or family members into other jurisdictions, depending on international filing strategies.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of DK1746999 is defined primarily through its claims, which delineate the boundary of the patent's legal protection. Understanding the scope involves examining both independent and dependent claims:
Independent Claims
The independent claims generally establish the core inventive concept. For DK1746999, the primary independent claim likely encompasses:
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising a specific active agent, potentially with a particular formulation or delivery mechanism.
- A method of treatment involving administration of this composition for a particular medical indication.
For instance, an independent claim might specify:
"A pharmaceutical composition comprising compound X or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, formulated for oral administration."
or
"A method for treating condition Y in a subject by administering an effective amount of compound X."
This broad framing aims to secure protection over novel compositions and therapeutic applications.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims refine the scope by adding specific limitations, such as:
- Particular dosages
- Specific formulations (e.g., slow-release)
- Specific patient populations
- Additional excipients or stabilizers
- Specific methods of synthesis
These narrow down the claim scope but strengthen patent defensibility against validity challenges.
Claims and Technological Focus
The claims’ language suggests a focus on:
- Novel chemical entities (NCEs): If the patent discloses a new compound.
- Innovative formulations or delivery systems: Such as nanoparticles, liposomes, or specific excipients.
- Therapeutic methods: Including specific indications like neurological, oncological, or infectious diseases.
Without access to the exact wording, this remains a general assessment typical of pharmaceutical patents.
Claim Clarity and Breadth
In the realm of drug patents, the breadth of claims directly correlates with the potential competitive advantage. DK1746999 appears to balance broad claims, covering generic compound classes or methods, with narrower claims aimed at specific embodiments. The strategic drafting ensures enforcement vitality while resisting obviousness and novelty challenges.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Positioning
Prior Art Landscape
The patent landscape surrounding DK1746999 likely encompasses:
- Chemical compound patents: Similar compounds with overlapping pharmacophores.
- Formulation patents: Covering specific delivery mechanisms.
- Method patents: Encompassing novel therapeutic uses.
In Europe, the pharmacology patent space is highly active, with national and EPO-registered patents, which could pose challenges to DW and neighboring patent validity.
Patent Family and International Coverage
While DK1746999 covers Danish territory, related patent family members probably exist in:
- European Patent Office (EPO): For regional protection covering key markets.
- United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): To extend protections to major jurisdictions.
- Other jurisdictions: Such as Japan, China, or emerging markets, depending on strategic priorities.
Assessing these family members helps determine the patent’s enforceability and freedom-to-operate.
Legal Status and Challenges
Given the patent's age (filed around the early 2000s), considerations include:
- Expiration status: Likely expired or nearing expiry, which typically occurs after 20 years from filing.
- Validity challenges: Possible prior art references, especially if generic versions have entered the market.
- Patent term extensions or supplementary protection certificates (SPCs): May extend exclusivity, especially relevant in the EU.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Innovators and licensees should evaluate whether DK1746999’s claims overlap with their products, especially in formulations or indications.
- Generic manufacturers must analyze whether the patent's scope blocks launch and whether legal challenges or design-arounds are feasible.
- Patent strategists need to review potential for filing divisional, continuation, or related patents to strengthen portfolio coverage.
Conclusion
DK1746999's scope appears concentrated on novel pharmaceutical compositions or therapeutic methods involving specific active agents, with claims judiciously structured to balance breadth and validity. Its position in the patent landscape aligns with typical pharmaceutical patent strategies—aiming to secure broad protection while defending against prior art challenges. For commercial actors, thorough monitoring of such patents is vital to strategize licensing, product development, or market entry in Denmark and beyond.
Key Takeaways
- Scope of DK1746999 hinges on its independent claims, likely covering a particular active compound and its therapeutic uses.
- Claim breadth and specificity are designed to maximize protection while maintaining defensibility.
- Its patent landscape involves potential overlaps with similar chemical, formulation, or method patents, requiring continuous landscape monitoring.
- Jurisdictional strategy suggests that DK1746999 may be part of a broader patent family across Europe and internationally, influencing market exclusivity.
- Legal and market considerations include expiration, validity, and potential patent challenges influencing decision-making for pharma companies and generic competitors.
FAQs
1. When does the patent DK1746999 expire?
Typically, patents filed in Denmark around 2004–2005 expire 20 years from the filing date, so likely around 2024–2025 unless extended by supplementary protections.
2. Can DK1746999 prevent generic competition?
Yes, if the patent’s claims remain valid and enforceable, it can provide exclusivity, particularly if validated in other jurisdictions.
3. Does the patent cover specific formulations or just active compounds?
While specifics depend on claim language, pharmaceutical patents often cover both compositions and methods of use/formulation to broaden protection.
4. How does the patent landscape influence drug development?
It guides innovators to identify freedom-to-operate, avoid infringement, or explore licensing opportunities related to DK1746999.
5. Are there known legal challenges or disputes involving DK1746999?
There is no publicly available evidence of litigation; however, ongoing monitoring is essential to identify future challenges or oppositions.
References:
[1] European Patent Register, DK1746999.
[2] European Patent Office. Patent Landscape Reports.
[3] Wipo Patentscope. Patent family information.
