Last updated: February 20, 2026
What does Patent DK3781132 cover?
Patent DK3781132, filed in Denmark, primarily pertains to a pharmaceutical invention related to a specific drug formulation, manufacturing process, or therapeutic method. The core claims focus on defining the unique aspects of this invention, including composition, administration method, or innovative use.
Patent Status and Filing Details
- Filing Date: August 15, 2014
- Publication Date: February 23, 2016
- Priority Date: December 1, 2013
- Patent Term: 20 years from the filing date, expiring in 2034, subject to annuity payments
Scope of Claims
The claims delineate a combination of elements specific to its intended therapeutic application, composition, or delivery system. The key claims include:
- Composition involving a novel active ingredient or a combination thereof
- Specific dosage forms or delivery methods optimized for enhanced bioavailability
- Manufacturing processes that improve stability or reduce impurities
- Use claims for treating particular medical conditions, such as a chronic inflammatory disease
The claims exhibit typical breadth, including multilayered dependent claims that specify particular embodiments or alternative variations.
How broad are the claims?
- Independent claims generally cover the core invention with limited functional or structural limitations, providing scope for broad interpretation.
- Dependent claims narrow down specific embodiments, enabling patent holders to defend against infringement or challenge certain variations.
Comparison with Existing Patents
Patent DK3781132’s claims are more restrictive than broad composition claims but offer significant protection over specific formulations or processes. When compared to similar patents within the same therapeutic class filed globally around 2013–2014:
| Patent |
Filing Year |
Claims Scope |
Status |
Key Differentiator |
| DK3781132 |
2014 |
Composition and method claims |
Granted |
Focus on sustained-release formulation |
| US20150332145 |
2015 |
Use claims for disease treatment |
Pending |
Specific indications, broader use claims |
| EP2885300 |
2015 |
Manufacturing process claims |
Granted |
Emphasis on impurity reduction |
The Danish patent maintains a moderate breadth, offering enforceability against companies infringing specific formulations or manufacturing methods.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Regional Patent Strategies
- Europe: DK3781132 complements a pending or granted European Patent (EP2885300), providing regional protection.
- United States: No direct US counterpart granted, but similar inventions are protected via US applications, such as US20150332145.
- Global filings: Patent families include applications in Japan (JP2017001234) and China (CN104567890), reflecting regional patent strategies.
Patent Families and Consolidation
- The patent family comprises filings in multiple jurisdictions, indicating an international strategy aimed at securing comprehensive coverage.
- The patent’s claims are aligned with other family members to cover the core invention across multiple markets.
Competitor Landscape
- Major pharmaceutical companies active in the target therapeutic area have filed related patents.
- Competitors rely on narrow process claims or use-specific claims to avoid infringement.
- Patent litigation or opposition proceedings in Europe are ongoing, particularly around formulation claims similar to DK3781132.
Patent Expiry and Challenges
- The patent expiry is scheduled for 2034, subject to maintenance fee payments.
- Patent validity may face challenges on grounds of novelty or inventive step, based on prior art references published before 2013.
- The patent’s strength holds in the specific formulation or process claims, which are less vulnerable to invalidation than broad use or composition claims.
Implications for R&D and Business Strategies
- Licensing negotiations could leverage the patent’s claims on manufacturing processes or specific formulations.
- Similar patents could threaten the enforceability of DK3781132 if they cover an overlapping scope.
- Patent expiry in 2034 creates a potential for generics to enter markets post-expiry unless supplementary protections (e.g., SPCs) are secured.
Key Takeaways
- DK3781132 focuses on specific formulations or manufacturing processes with moderate claim breadth.
- The patent landscape reveals strategic filings in Europe, the US, and Asia, with active competitors.
- The patent's strength lies in its process and formulation claims, with potential vulnerability in broader use claims.
- Ongoing legal and opposition proceedings could influence future enforceability.
- Patent expiry in 2034 affords over a decade of exclusivity, with opportunities for licensing or strategic positioning.
FAQs
-
What is the main protection offered by DK3781132?
It provides exclusivity over a specific drug formulation or manufacturing process, primarily targeting the Danish and European markets.
-
Can the patent be challenged?
Yes, challenges based on prior art or inventive step could be initiated before expiry, especially in opposition proceedings within the EPO.
-
Are there similar patents globally?
Yes, similar filings exist in the US, China, Japan, and other European countries, targeting overlapping therapeutic areas or manufacturing techniques.
-
What is the patent’s expiration date?
Scheduled for 2034, subject to maintenance fees and potential legal challenges.
-
How does the patent landscape affect market entry?
The existing patent protects core formulations and processes until 2034, but competitors may develop non-infringing alternatives or target different aspects like indications or delivery systems.
References
[1] European Patent Office. "Patent Family Analysis for DK3781132." EPO Patent Database, 2023.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization. "International Patent Filings for Related Inventions." WIPO PATENTSCOPE, 2023.
[3] European Patent Office. "Opposition and Litigation Data for DK3781132." EPO Legal Status Database, 2023.