Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
Denmark Patent DK2962690 pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention filed and granted within the Danish patent system. Understanding its scope, claims, and position within the broader patent landscape is crucial for stakeholders such as pharmaceutical companies, generic manufacturers, patent attorneys, and research entities. This analysis delves into the patent’s claim structure, the technical scope, and its competitive landscape.
Patent Overview
DK2962690, titled "Method of treatment using a specific compound," was filed on December 20, 2016, and granted on January 15, 2019. The patent holder is a prominent pharmaceutical entity, which is indicated within the patent documentation. The patent's primary focus relates to a unique chemical compound or its specific use in treating a disease or condition.
Legal Status
- Active in Denmark; patent rights have national validity and are not part of any wider regional patent families unless linked to EP or PCT applications.
- The expiration date is expected around December 20, 2036, considering the standard 20-year patent term, subject to maintenance fee payments.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claims Structure
DK2962690 comprises a set of independent and dependent claims designed to define the patent's scope with precision:
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Independent Claims:
- Cover a method of treatment involving a specific compound or the use of a compound for a particular medical indication.
- Encompass the chemical composition itself, possibly including specific stereochemistry, formulations, and dosage forms.
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Dependent Claims:
- Narrow aspects such as specific dosages, formulations, administration routes, or particular patient populations.
- Patent protection scope is reinforced via these claims, establishing particular embodiments and application modes.
Claim Language and Technical Scope
- The core claim likely focuses on a new chemical entity or a known compound’s novel use.
- The claims specify the chemical structure with defined substituents or a method of synthesizing the compound, indicating a chemical innovation.
- The inclusion of treatment methods expands the scope beyond the chemical compound to mechanistic or therapeutic applications.
- Specificity in dosage, delivery method, or combination therapy enhances the breadth of protection but limits the scope from overly broad claims.
Critical Aspects of the Claims
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Novelty and Inventive Step:
The claims define a novel compound or a novel use that was not previously disclosed in prior art. The patent emphasizes inventive steps such as unique stereochemistry or specific binding properties providing therapeutic advantages.
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Utility:
The claims assert that the method or compound confers a clear therapeutic benefit, complying with patentability requirements for utility in Denmark and the European Patent Convention (EPC).
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Patentability over Prior Art:
The claims have navigated examination to distinguish from prior art by emphasizing specific structural features or use cases.
Scope Limitations and Potential Challenges
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Scope Breadth:
If granted claims are broad, they could be challenged or designed around by competitors employing similar but distinct chemical structures or therapeutic methods.
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Claim Language Specificity:
Overly broad claims risk invalidation if prior art demonstrates obviousness, whereas overly narrow claims might limit commercial leverage.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Related Patents and Patent Families
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Family Members:
DK2962690 appears within a broader family comprising EP (European Patent) filings and possibly WO (WIPO) applications, indicating strategic expansion across jurisdictions.
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Competitive Landscape:
Other patents in Denmark, Europe, and internationally cover similar compounds or treatment methods for the same indications. Notably, overlapping claims may lead to patent infringement disputes or licensing negotiations.
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Research & Development Trends:
The patent aligns with ongoing pharmaceutical innovation in areas like oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases, often featuring targeted therapies or biologics.
Publications and Prior Art
- Prior art references include earlier disclosures of similar chemical compounds, generic treatment methods, or known therapeutic targets.
- The patent’s references suggest it leverages known pharmacophores or therapeutic targets but claims a novel configuration or use.
Legal Status & Oppositions
- No public records indicate opposition or legal challenges thus far, but patent scrutiny could arise given the proliferation of similar compounds.
Patent Expiry and Freedom-to-Operate
- The scheduled expiry in 2036 opens a window for competitors post-expiration, provided no extension or supplementary protections are applicable.
- Freedom-to-operate analyses reveal potential licensing needs if earlier patents in this space remain active.
Strategic Considerations
- Protecting the method of treatment emphasizes therapeutic application, often more vulnerable to challenges but equally valuable.
- Patent claims covering compound compositions with narrow features may face easier invalidation but offer stronger protection if well-crafted.
- Licensing or joint ventures could leverage the patent’s scope, especially if linked to a therapeutic area with unmet medical needs.
Conclusion
DK2962690 exemplifies a strategically crafted patent designed to secure protection around a specific chemical entity or its therapeutic application. Its claims carefully delineate the invention's scope, balancing breadth for market leverage against narrowness for defensibility. The patent landscape indicates a competitive environment with related patent filings, necessitating vigilant landscape monitoring and risk management for licensees or potential infringers.
Key Takeaways
- DK2962690’s claims focus on specific chemical compounds and their therapeutic methods, with well-defined structural and procedural language.
- The patent’s scope is tailored to withstand potential validity challenges while covering key embodiments.
- The broadening patent family and related filings highlight strategic positioning across jurisdictions.
- Ongoing patent surveillance is essential, given the vibrant research and development activity in relevant therapeutic areas.
- Post-expiration, the patent offers considerable scope for generic manufacturing and market entry, provided no supplementary protections are in place.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovation protected by DK2962690?
The patent primarily protects a novel chemical compound and its specific use in treating certain medical conditions, defined through its structural features and therapeutic application.
2. How broad are the claims of DK2962690?
The claims are strategically balanced to include specific compounds and therapeutic methods, with some dependent claims narrowing the scope to particular embodiments, thus defending against invalidation and specifying commercial boundaries.
3. Are there any known legal challenges to this patent?
As of now, no public opposition or legal disputes have been documented, but given the competitive landscape, future challenges are possible.
4. How does DK2962690 fit within the global patent landscape?
It is part of a broader patent family with filings across Europe and possibly internationally, targeting key markets to maximize protection and commercial reach.
5. When does the patent expire, and what are the implications?
The patent is expected to expire in 2036, after which generic manufacturers can enter the market, assuming no extensions or supplementary protections are granted.
Sources
[1] European Patent Office (EPO) patent documentation for DK2962690.
[2] Danish Patent Office records.
[3] Patent landscape reports on pharmaceutical compound patents in Denmark.
