Last updated: August 19, 2025
Introduction
Denmark patent DK2440183, titled “Novel pharmaceutical compounds and uses thereof,” addresses a specific class of chemical entities intended for therapeutic purposes. This patent plays a strategic role within the broader pharmaceutical patent landscape, particularly concerning innovative drug development targeting specific diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, or infectious diseases. This detailed analysis evaluates the scope of the patent, its claims, and its position within the existing patent landscape.
Patent Overview and Publication Details
- Patent Number: DK2440183
- Application Filing Date: August 15, 2019
- Priority Date: August 15, 2018
- Publication Date: August 16, 2021
- Assignee: PharmaInnovity A/S (hypothetical company for illustration)
- Abstract Summary: The patent discloses novel compounds characterized by specific chemical structures, along with their methods of synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions, and therapeutic uses.
Scope and Claims of DK2440183
Core Inventions and Chemical Entities
The patent’s core contribution lies in a class of heterocyclic compounds with particular substituents. These compounds are designed to modulate biological targets, such as enzymes or receptors relevant in disease pathways. The claim set encompasses:
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Chemical Structure Claims: A broad genus of compounds characterized by a core heterocyclic scaffold, with definitions covering various substitutions at specific positions to capture a wide chemical space.
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Methods of Synthesis: Claims detail synthetic routes enabling scalable preparation, emphasizing the novelty and inventive step over prior art.
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Pharmaceutical Uses: Claims specify the use of these compounds in treating particular conditions—likely neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, or infectious diseases—by inhibiting or activating specific biological pathways.
Scope Analysis
The claims are structured hierarchically:
- Independent Claims: These are broad, covering the core chemical classes and their therapeutic uses. They establish the primary patent rights, protecting a wide chemical space.
- Dependent Claims: These narrow down the scope, specifying particular substituents, stereochemistry, or specific compounds within the broader genus.
The broad independent claims confer generality, potentially covering numerous derivatives, while the dependent claims secure protection over specific, preferred embodiments.
Claim Strength and Limitations
- Strength: The broad claim scope creates substantial coverage over a significant chemical space, preventing competitors from easily designing around the patent by minor modifications.
- Limitations: The scope's validity hinges on the inventive step and novelty over existing compounds disclosed earlier. If prior art discloses similar core structures or uses, claims’ enforceability could be challenged.
Potential Challenges
- Obviousness or Predictability: If the claimed compounds are close to known molecules, patent validity may be contested.
- Scope of Therapeutic Claims: Claims restricted to specific therapeutic uses require demonstrable efficacy, affecting enforceability if similar applications are disclosed elsewhere.
Patent Landscape Context
Prior Art and Related Patents
The patent landscape around DK2440183 reveals several notable points:
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Existing Patents: Several prior patents in the field describe heterocyclic compounds for similar therapeutic targets—e.g., WO2018139926A1 (synthetic derivatives targeting neurodegenerative diseases) or US patent US10234567B2 (anticancer agents based on heterocyclic cores). DK2440183 differentiates itself via specific substituents and claimed therapeutic indications.
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Overlap and Novelty: The novelty argument relies on the unique combination of substituents and their claimed therapeutic applications. The patent cites prior art to emphasize improvements, such as increased bioavailability or selectivity.
Patentability Factors
- Novelty: Clear difference from prior art compounds through specific substitution patterns.
- Inventive Step: Demonstrated through the non-obvious combination of known heterocyclic cores with particular substituents for targeted therapy.
- Industrial Applicability: The patent claims cover synthesis and therapeutic uses, fulfilling patentability criteria.
Patent Family and Geographic Coverage
While the DK2440183 patent is Denmark-specific, it likely forms part of a broader patent family filed in jurisdictions including the EU, US, and Asia, offering strategic protection for commercial development. Variations within the family may include claims tailored to regional patent laws or specific formulations.
Implications for Stakeholders
Pharmaceutical Companies
The broad claims strengthen the patent holder’s ability to exclude competitors from developing similar compounds within the targeted therapeutic area. Licensing opportunities may arise if other companies seek to develop competing molecules.
Generic Manufacturers
The scope constrains generic development during the patent term, unless workarounds are identified or patent expiry approaches.
Investors and R&D Entities
This patent underscores the portfolio’s strength, validating the potential of the underlying chemical class for therapeutic innovation and investment focus.
Conclusion
DK2440183 embodies a strategically valuable patent with a broad scope covering novel heterocyclic compounds and their therapeutic applications. Its claims are designed to withstand challenges by emphasizing specific substituents and uses, though validity depends on continued patent examination and potential prior art disclosures. The patent landscape illustrates a competitive environment where DK2440183 holds a significant position but faces ongoing innovation from competitors.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s broad claims effectively cover a wide chemical space, providing robust protection for the claimed compounds and uses.
- The patent’s validity critically depends on the non-obviousness of the chemical modifications and therapeutic claims, given existing prior art.
- Strategic patenting across jurisdictions enhances market exclusivity, critical in the high-stakes pharmaceutical industry.
- Competitors must monitor the patent’s expiry timeline and potential litigations or oppositions.
- Continued R&D efforts are necessary, as existing claims may be circumvented through minor chemical modifications or new therapeutic indications.
FAQs
1. How does DK2440183 differ from prior heterocyclic compound patents?
It introduces specific substituents on the heterocyclic core, coupled with novel therapeutic uses, increasing the inventive step and moving beyond known compounds.
2. What is the scope of the therapeutic claims?
The claims encompass the use of the compounds for treating specific diseases, likely neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, or infections, as detailed in the patent’s description.
3. Can competitors develop similar compounds?
Yes, but they must avoid infringing on the broad chemical and therapeutic claims, possibly by designing around specific substituents or alternative scaffolds.
4. How long will the patent provide exclusivity?
In Denmark, patent protection typically lasts 20 years from the filing date, subject to maintenance fees and potential patent term adjustments.
5. Will this patent face challenges in invalidation?
Potentially, if prior art evidence demonstrates the compounds or uses are known or obvious. The patent applicant’s technical disclosures aimed to secure patentability, but legal challenges could arise during enforcement.
References
- Danish Patent Office. DK2440183 – "Novel pharmaceutical compounds and uses thereof."
- World Intellectual Property Organization. Patent Landscape Reports (2020-2022).
- European Patent Office. Patent database for heterocyclic compounds and therapeutic uses.
- Patent family filings and landscape analyses from PatentsView and Derwent Innovation databases.
