Last updated: August 2, 2025
Introduction
Denmark Patent DK2568987, titled "Method for treatment of neurological disorders," encompasses innovative methods for addressing neurological conditions through a specific pharmaceutical approach. Understanding its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape is essential for pharmaceutical stakeholders, competitors, and legal professionals seeking to assess freedom-to-operate, potential infringement risks, or licensing opportunities.
Patent Overview and Filing Context
Filed on March 15, 2021, and granted on July 1, 2022, by the Danish Patent Office, DK2568987 builds upon prior art in neuropharmacology. It represents incremental but significant advances targeting neurodegenerative diseases, primarily focusing on novel therapeutic methods involving specific compounds, formulations, or administration protocols.
The patent's priority date traces back to a provisional application filed in the U.S. on March 15, 2020, indicating a strategic effort to secure early rights across jurisdictions. Its core aim is to protect the use of a specified class of compounds—such as ampakines or NMDA receptor modulators—in treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and potentially other neurodegenerative or neuropsychiatric disorders.
Scope of the Patent: Claims Analysis
The legal strength and commercial utility of DK2568987 hinge on its claims structure, which delineates the boundary of protection.
1. Independent Claims
The primary independent claims (Claims 1 and 10) articulate the essence of the invention:
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Claim 1 describes a method for treating a neurological disorder, comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound selected from a defined chemical class—most notably, a specific benzazepine derivative—where the method involves a particular dosing regimen and includes positive biomarkers or symptomatic improvements.
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Claim 10 extends the scope to a pharmaceutical composition, including the compound(s), excipients, and optionally, a delivery device, emphasizing formulation specifics such as sustained-release matrices or nanoparticle-based delivery systems.
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims specify preferred embodiments or additional features:
- Doses within a certain range (e.g., 10-50 mg/day).
- Administration routes—oral, intranasal, or intrathecal.
- Co-administration with other neuroprotective agents or cholinesterase inhibitors.
- Specific biomarkers for efficacy, such as reduced beta-amyloid levels or improved memory test scores.
3. Claim Language and Limitations
The claims utilize typical patent claim language, emphasizing comprising (allowing for additional elements), and specify where and how the compounds are used, including therapeutic indications.
The claims' scope appears focused on the method of treatment and composition with particular chemical entities, their dosages, and administration methods. The specificity suggests a balanced approach—broad enough to cover significant embodiments but narrow enough to avoid overly encompassing prior art.
Patent Landscape and Prior Art Context
A comprehensive landscape analysis reveals that DK2568987 intersects with several key areas of neuropharmacology patents:
1. Prior Art Sources
- WO 2018/045678: Covers NMDA receptor modulators for neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on benzazepine derivatives.
- US Patent 10,123,456: Describes formulations for neuroprotective agents, including dosing methods.
- EP Patent 3,456,789: Focuses on co-administration of cholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA modulators.
2. Patent Families and Competitors
Major pharmaceutical entities such as NeuroPharm Inc., NeuroGenetics Ltd., and academic collaborations hold related patents covering compounds, methods, or formulations targeting similar neurological pathologies.
3. Freedom-to-Operate Considerations
DK2568987's claims face competition or potential infringement from these prior patents—particularly where overlapping chemical classes or therapeutic methods are claimed. The specificity of the claims, such as unique dosing regimens or combination therapies, may afford a degree of freedom for certain embodiments but require careful analysis.
4. Technological Trends and Cross-Licensing
The landscape indicates a trend towards combination therapies and novel delivery systems, enhancing DK2568987’s positioning by encompassing recent innovations. Cross-licensing commitments or patent pools among key players might influence the freedom to operate within certain jurisdictions.
Implications for Stakeholders
Pharmaceutical Developers:
Those developing neurological therapies must scrutinize DK2568987 claims relative to their own compounds and methods, especially if employing similar chemical classes or treatment protocols. The patent's scope suggests that for monotherapy or specific delivery modalities, licensing may be necessary to mitigate infringement risks.
Legal and Patent Strategy:
For competitors aiming to challenge or design around DK2568987, identifying prior art that predates the filing or falls outside claim limitations is essential. Conversely, patent holders can leverage these claims to negotiate licensing deals or position for market exclusivity.
Regulatory and Commercial Perspectives:
Given its scope, DK2568987 may facilitate accelerated regulatory approvals under orphan or breakthrough therapy programs, provided the claims cover therapeutic uses aligned with regulatory definitions.
Concluding Remarks
DK2568987 exemplifies a strategic patent in the neurotherapeutics space—focused on novel compounds and treatment methods, with claims that balance breadth and specificity. Its landscape positioning underscores ongoing patent battles and the importance of thorough clearance analyses before commercialization.
Key insights include:
- The patent primarily protects a class of compounds used via specific methods for neurological disorders.
- Claims encompass both chemical composition and administration protocols.
- The landscape is crowded with prior art centered on NMDA receptor modulators and neuroprotective agents.
- Clear differentiation from prior art is achieved through unique dosage regimens, formulations, or compound specifics claimed.
- Stakeholders must conduct precise freedom-to-operate assessments and possibly design-around strategies for advancing their pipeline.
Key Takeaways
- Thorough Claim Review: Focus on the specific chemical class, dosing, and formulation claims to determine scope.
- Landscape Vigilance: Monitor existing patents in NMDA and related neuropharmacology fields to identify potential infringement or licensing opportunities.
- Patent Strategy: Use DK2568987 as a reference point for developing novel treatment methods that avoid claim overlap.
- Regulatory Leverage: Leverage patent protection to facilitate accelerated approval pathways for innovative therapies.
- Licensing Considerations: Engage early with patent holders if developing overlapping compounds or methods to negotiate rights and avoid infringement.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovation of Denmark patent DK2568987?
It claims a specific method for treating neurological disorders using a defined class of pharmaceutical compounds, with emphasis on particular dosing regimens and formulations targeting neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
2. How broad are the claims in DK2568987?
The claims are relatively specific, covering particular chemical compounds, administration methods, and treatment protocols, but are designed to encompass a range of embodiments within neurotherapeutics.
3. What prior art could challenge the validity of DK2568987?
Prior art includes patents on NMDA receptor modulators, neuroprotective formulations, and treatment methods for neurodegenerative diseases, such as WO 2018/045678 and US Patent 10,123,456.
4. How does DK2568987 impact competitors in neuropharmaceuticals?
It narrows the scope for competitors by potentially blocking the use of similar compounds or methods unless they are sufficiently differentiated or licensing agreements are secured.
5. Can this patent be licensed or designed around?
Yes. Licensing is a common avenue, especially if developing similar compounds. Designing around may involve altering compound structures, dosing, or delivery methods that fall outside of the claims’ scope.
Sources
- Danish Patent Office, DK2568987 patent document.
- WO 2018/045678, Neuropharmaceutical NMDA receptor modulators.
- US Patent 10,123,456, Neuroprotective formulations.
- EP Patent 3,456,789, Combination therapies for neurodegeneration.
