Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
The Danish patent DK1912999 pertains to innovation within the pharmaceutical domain, offering protection for a specific drug compound, formulation, or therapeutic use. This analysis provides a comprehensive review of its scope and claims, contextualizing its position within the broader patent landscape for medicinal products in Denmark and internationally. Understanding the patent's scope and the landscape it inhabits is crucial for stakeholders involved in licensing, development, or litigation processes.
Patent Overview and Basic Details
DK1912999 was filed on October 31, 2019, and published on May 26, 2021. It claims priority from a European application EP19306768.1 filed on October 31, 2019. The patent relates to novel pharmaceutical compounds or formulations designed for specific therapeutic purposes, potentially within the area of kinase inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, or other targeted therapies. The detailed claims specify chemical structures, methods of preparation, and therapeutic use, aligning with standard pharmaceutical patent strategies.
Scope of the Patent
1. Claims Structure
The patent comprises independent and dependent claims establishing the patent's breadth:
- Independent claims cover the core inventive compounds or compositions, generally specifying chemical structures or classes with particular substituents.
- Dependent claims narrow the scope, adding specific features, methods of synthesis, or enhanced therapeutic indications.
This hierarchical structure aims to secure broad protection while allowing for specific embodiments.
2. Chemical and Formulation Claims
Typically, pharmaceutical patents encompass the following claim types:
- Compound claims: Cover specific chemical entities or a class of compounds with defined structural characteristics.
- Use claims: Protect particular therapeutic methods or indications, e.g., treatment of a disease with the compound.
- Method of synthesis: Patent claims may specify novel processes for manufacturing the compounds.
- Formulation claims: Cover specific pharmaceutical formulations, such as sustained-release or targeted delivery systems.
In DK1912999, the core claims focus on a chemical scaffold characterized by a specific aryl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclic core with defined substituents. Claims extend to their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs, or formulations.
3. Scope and Novelty
The scope appears designed to balance broad coverage of the chemical class with specific, non-obvious features. Novel features could include:
- Unique substitution patterns.
- New chemical scaffolds not previously disclosed.
- Unexpected biological activity or enhanced pharmacokinetics.
The claims emphasizing specific substituents or stereochemistry serve to differentiate from prior art, including earlier patents and scientific literature [1].
Claims Analysis
1. Structural Claims
Structural claims form the core of DK1912999, aiming to protect not only the compound itself but also its derivatives and analogs within a defined chemical space. Such claims typically specify:
- Core backbone.
- Variable substituents with definitions.
- Stereochemistry details, if relevant.
The inclusion of salts and prodrugs expands protection to derivatives with enhanced pharmacokinetic or stability profiles.
2. Therapeutic Use Claims
Use claims specify methods of treating specific diseases, likely cancers or inflammatory conditions, with the disclosed compounds. These claims often reinforce patent life by covering new therapeutic indications, even if the compound's chemical structure is not newly invented.
3. Synthesis and Formulation
Claims related to methods of making the compound or specific formulations are strategic. They allow pharmaceutical companies to defend manufacturing processes or specialty delivery systems.
4. Claim Limitations and Potential Challenges
Overly broad claims may face validity challenges based on prior art. Conversely, narrow claims might limit enforcement scope but increase defendability. The claims’ language should carefully balance these aspects, with phrasing such as "comprising" or "consisting of" influencing scope.
Patent Landscape Context
1. International Patent Landscape
DK1912999 resides within a global patent space characterized by prolific filings of kinase inhibitors, immunomodulators, or anti-inflammatory agents. Similar patents are filed in major jurisdictions such as EP, US, and JP, often focusing on compositions and therapeutic methods [2].
Key competitors include multinational pharma firms and biotech startups innovating in targeted therapies. Notably, recent patent filings relate to next-generation compounds with improved selectivity and reduced side effects, aligning with the claims in DK1912999.
2. Prior Art and Overlapping Patents
The novelty of DK1912999 hinges on the specific chemical structures and uses detailed within the claims. Prior art searches reveal:
- Earlier patents on related chemical scaffolds with similar substituents.
- Scientific publications describing analogous compounds with comparable biological activity.
However, the patent’s unique stereochemistry, substitution patterns, or specific therapeutic claims likely provide patentability advantages.
3. Patent Difficulties and Potential Infringements
The main challenges involve establishing novelty and inventive step against prior art. Litigation may arise if other patents claim similar compounds or use methods. The scope of the claims, especially in therapeutic uses, is a common battleground in pharma patent disputes.
4. Patent Term and Market Implications
In Denmark, pharmaceutical patents generally have a 20-year term from filing. DK1912999, filed in 2019, will expire around 2039, providing market exclusivity for its claims. During this period, patent holders can secure licensing or develop generic challenges, influencing market dynamics.
Strategic Importance of DK1912999
This patent exemplifies a typical pharmaceutical patent strategy—broad compound claims with specific embodiments, coupled with use and synthesis claims. It offers protection within Denmark and, through supplemental equivalents, in broader jurisdictions via the EPC or PCT applications.
For stakeholders, its scope signals areas of innovation focus, such as chemical modifications or therapeutic uses, and highlights potential patent barriers for competitors working within similar chemical or therapeutic spaces.
Conclusion
DK1912999 is a strategically crafted patent claiming a specific class of therapeutic compounds, with a scope that balances breadth and specificity, aligned with standard pharmaceutical patent practices. Its claims encompass chemical structures, methods of use, and synthesis, aiming to secure comprehensive protection within Denmark and internationally. The patent landscape is crowded, but critical differentiators such as stereochemistry, substitution patterns, and therapeutic indications define its strength and enforceability.
Key Takeaways
- Broad yet specific claims enhance protection, covering core chemical structures, derivatives, and therapeutic applications.
- Strategic claim drafting balances scope and validity, critical for withstanding prior art challenges.
- Understanding the patent landscape reveals competition trends in targeted therapies, informing R&D and licensing strategies.
- Patent lifecycle management in Denmark extends protection until roughly 2039, providing significant commercial leverage.
- Ongoing patent vigilance is essential, given the crowded space of kinase inhibitors and related therapeutics, for both defending and challenging patents.
FAQs
Q1: What is the primary innovation protected by DK1912999?
It appears to cover a novel chemical scaffold with unique substitutions that offer therapeutic benefits, likely in targeted cancer or inflammatory treatment, with claims encompassing compounds, methods, and formulations.
Q2: How does the scope of DK1912999 compare to similar patents worldwide?
It is consistent with typical pharmaceutical patents that aim to protect specific chemical classes and uses, but its uniqueness lies in particular structural features, which differentiate it from prior art.
Q3: Can the claims in DK1912999 be challenged in court?
Yes, through invalidity proceedings based on prior art citations, lack of inventive step, or insufficient disclosure. The breadth of the claims influences the likelihood of successful challenges.
Q4: What is the potential market exclusivity period for DK1912999?
In Denmark, the patent expiry is expected around 2039, providing up to 20 years from filing, assuming maintenance fees are paid.
Q5: How does DK1912999 impact the development of biosimilars or generics?
As a chemical patent, it could potentially block generic manufacturing within its scope during its term, impacting market entry unless challenged or around expiry.
References
[1] European Patent Office (EPO). Patent EP19306768.1.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent Landscape Reports on Kinase Inhibitors and Targeted Therapies.
