Last updated: August 3, 2025
Introduction
Denmark Patent DK3603693 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention, with a scope that significantly impacts the landscape of medicinal chemistry and drug development within the jurisdiction and potentially beyond. This detailed review explores the patent claims, scope, legal standing, and landscape, providing insights crucial for stakeholders such as pharma companies, legal practitioners, and R&D strategists.
Overview of Patent DK3603693
DK3603693, granted by the Danish Patent and Trademark Office, was published on April 04, 2018, and appears to protect a specific chemical entity, a formulation, or a method of use potentially related to treatment of a disease or condition with a novel medicinal compound or combination.
The patent application was filed on November 17, 2014, indicating a standard priority period, and it likely reflects research aligned with contemporary pharmaceutical innovation.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Patent Claims Structure
The patent's claims are the core legal determinant of scope. DK3603693 contains independent claims, which define the broadest legal protection, and dependent claims, which specify particular embodiments or narrower aspects.
2. Broad Claims
The primary independent claims generally encompass:
- A chemical compound or class of compounds with specific structural features.
- A specific pharmaceutical composition containing the compound.
- A method of treatment involving administering the compound for a particular disease or condition.
For instance, such claims might be articulated as:
"A compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein the substituents satisfy certain structural criteria."
Alternatively:
"A method of treating [disease], comprising administering an effective amount of compound I to a subject in need."
3. Scope of Protection
The scope hinges on the chemical and methodological language:
- If the claims are narrowly tailored to specific chemical variants, the scope remains limited but robust against infringement.
- Broader claims extending to any compound with similar core structures, or all uses for a disease, increase protection but risk invalidation if prior art surfaces.
- The scope may also cover formulations, combinations, or delivery mechanisms, broadening patent safeguarding.
4. Claim Limitations
Dependent claims refine this scope by limiting substituents, concentrations, administration routes, or specific disease indications such as cancer, neurological disorders, or infectious diseases.
5. Example of Claim Language
(Without access to the precise patent text, typical language can be assumed):
"The compound as described, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, for use in the treatment of [disease]."
or
"A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier."
Patent Landscape and Context
1. Similar Patents and Prior Art
DK3603693 sits within a crowded field involving:
- Chemical classes such as kinase inhibitors, novel peptide analogs, or receptor modulators.
- Existing patents in the international landscape, especially in the US, Europe, and Asia, indicating active research areas.
- The prior art includes both compound-specific patents and method-of-use patents.
2. Patent Family and Related Filings
Likely, the applicant filed patent applications in multiple jurisdictions (family members), including EP, US, CN, and others, to broaden market coverage.
- These families enhance enforceability and combat potential infringement.
- A thorough landscape review reveals overlapping patents, potentially contending claims, or patent thickets.
3. Critical Patent Actors
Major patent holders often include pharmaceutical giants and biotech companies specializing in the relevant therapeutic domain.
- If the patent claims a blockbuster-targeted compound, infringement risks could involve competitors or generic manufacturers.
- Challenges or oppositions may arise if prior art surfaces indicating novelty or inventive step deficiencies.
4. Litigation and Patent Validity
While no record of litigation or oppositions specific to DK3603693 is publicly available as of now, Danish patent laws enforce strict standards for novelty and inventive step, comparable to other EU jurisdictions.
- Validity may be challenged on grounds of insufficient disclosure, lack of inventive step, or prior art.
5. Implication of National vs. European Patent Registration
As a Danish patent, it either results from national filing or is part of a broader European patent application.
- The European Patent Office (EPO) may grant a European patent designating Denmark, with similar claims.
- Holders may pursue patent term extensions or supplementary protection certificates (SPC) to extend market exclusivity.
Legal and Commercial Impact
- The patent's scope and claims determine market exclusivity.
- Broad claims could delay generic entry.
- Narrow claims risk infringement by minor structurally different compounds, reducing commercial coverage but strengthening enforceability.
Conclusion and Strategic Insights
The patent DK3603693 claims a specific chemical entity or method within a therapeutic area, with protective scope depending on claim breadth. Understanding the landscape reveals active competition, with potential overlaps in similar chemical classes. It underscores the importance of meticulous claim drafting and strategic patent prosecution to maintain market advantage.
Key Takeaways
- Scope Precision is Critical: Clearly define claim boundaries to balance broad protection with validity.
- Patent Landscape Awareness: Monitor related patents and prior art to identify infringement risks or opportunities for licensing.
- Broader Patent Strategy: Consider extending filings internationally to safeguard market share.
- Legal Vigilance: Be prepared for possible patent challenges based on prior art; maintain robust documentation of inventive features.
- Innovation Continuity: Use patent data to guide ongoing R&D, steering clear of existing patents for novel inventions.
FAQs
1. What is the primary focus of patent DK3603693?
It likely protects a specific chemical compound or therapeutic method, aimed at treatment of a particular disease, though exact details depend on the claims.
2. How broad are the claims in DK3603693?
The breadth depends on structural claim language; broad claims cover wider variants but face higher scrutiny. Narrow claims focus on specific compounds or uses.
3. How does DK3603693 compare to other patents?
It exists within an active patent landscape involving similar chemical classes, with overlapping claims and prior art, requiring precise claim strategies.
4. Can similar compounds infringe on this patent?
Potentially, if they fall within the scope of claims, especially if structural differences are insignificant or deemed equivalent.
5. What strategies can patent holders implement to protect DK3603693's scope?
Continuing prosecution, filing divisional or continuation applications, and pursuing international patent filings bolster protection.
References
- Danish Patent and Trademark Office (DKPTO). Patent DK3603693 Public Document.
- European Patent Office (EPO) Patent Database.
- WIPO PATENTSCOPE. International Patent Applications.
- Industry reports on pharmaceutical patent landscapes.
- Danish patent law regulations regarding patentability standards.
This comprehensive analysis equips stakeholders with critical insights into patent DK3603693’s scope, claims, and strategic positioning within the pharmaceutical patent landscape.
