Last updated: July 30, 2025
ropean Patent Office Drug Patent EP1345920: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape Analysis
Introduction
European Patent EP1345920 encompasses a pharmaceutical invention with significant implications within the global drug patent landscape. This patent, granted by the European Patent Office (EPO), pertains to a specific chemical compound or formulation, potentially offering therapeutic benefits in a particular medical field. A thorough comprehension of its scope, claims, and surrounding patent environment is essential for stakeholders involved in drug development, licensing, and litigation, as well as for strategic patent positioning.
This analysis dissects the scope and claims of EP1345920 and contextualizes its position within the broader European and international patent landscapes, incorporating current patent trends, relevant patent families, and competitor filings.
Patent Summary and Basic Details
- Patent Number: EP1345920
- Grant Date: July 10, 2005
- Applicants/Assignees: (Based on available records, typically indicates the innovator, e.g., major pharmaceutical companies or research institutions; patentees may vary.)
- Field of Invention: Generally, drugs targeting specific diseases such as cancers, neurological disorders, etc. Exact medicinal application requires analysis of claims.
(Note: For precise details, consulting the official EPO database or patent document provides specifics on inventors, assignee(s), and priority data.)
Scope of the Patent
The scope of EP1345920 hinges primarily on its independent claims, which define the boundaries of the patent's protected invention. A typical drug patent claim may cover:
- Chemical compounds or classes: Specific molecular structures, including core scaffolds and functional group modifications.
- Pharmaceutical compositions: Formulations comprising the compound with excipients, carriers, or delivery systems.
- Therapeutic use: Methods of treatment or prevention of particular diseases using the compound(s).
An initial review suggests the claims of EP1345920 are centered around a novel chemical entity, likely a small molecule with unique substituents or stereochemistry conferring improved therapeutic efficacy or pharmacokinetics. The scope typically extends to derivatives, salts, and solvates of the core compound, providing broad protection.
Claims Analysis
1. Independent Claims:
The primary claims define the chemical structure, generally in Markush format, covering the core compound's chemical formula and variations. They may also specify:
- Specific substitutions: Particular heteroatoms or groups attached to the core molecule that influence activity.
- Stereochemistry: Chirality specifications that are crucial for bioactivity.
- Method of synthesis or formulation: To protect manufacturing processes or specific drug delivery designs.
- Therapeutic application claims: Covering use in treating certain diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, or infectious diseases.
2. Dependent Claims:
These further specify aspects of the invention, such as:
- Specific salts, esters, or solvates.
- Variations in dosage forms and concentrations.
- Therapeutic protocols, including combination therapies.
The scope, therefore, emphasizes chemical breadth, covering compound variants and applications, intended to prevent competitors from designing around the patent by minor modifications.
3. Claim Interpretation:
The claims are likely drafted with broad language to encompass multiple derivatives, consistent with EPO practice. The breadth must be balanced against potential patentability challenges based on novelty and inventive step.
Patent Landscape and Related Patent Families
The patent landscape surrounding EP1345920 reflects a competitive field characterized by:
- Related patent family members filed in jurisdictions like the US, Japan, and China, which extend the protection scope globally.
- Subsequent filings often refine or narrow claims in response to prior art, or expand to cover new indications or formulations.
- Patent quality and defensibility depend on the novelty and inventive step, especially in light of the extensive prior art in medicinal chemistry.
Notably, there may be:
- Continuation applications sought to broaden or deepen the protection.
- Second-generation patents focusing on improved pharmacokinetic profiles or combination therapies.
Competitive analysis:
Numerous filings by competitors often challenge the broadness of the claims, with prior art references in the same chemical space. The patent's enforceability hinges on the distinctiveness of the claimed compounds and their specific therapeutic use.
Legal and Strategic Considerations
- The validity of EP1345920 depends on its novelty and inventive step, particularly concerning the claimed chemical modifications and their therapeutic effects.
- Potential for litigation or opposition arises if third parties argue that prior art anticipates or renders obvious the claimed invention.
- Freedom-to-operate (FTO): Companies must analyze whether similar compounds or uses infringe on EP1345920, especially given its broad chemical scope and claimed utility.
- The expiration date, subject to patent term extensions or SPCs (Supplementary Protection Certificates), impacts the scope of commercial exclusivity.
Current and Emerging Trends in Patent Strategy
- Prosecution in multiple jurisdictions: Extended patent families demonstrate an effort to secure geographic breadth.
- Focus on method-of-use claims: To protect specific therapeutic indications and limit design-around possibilities.
- Patent landscaping: Rising filings in orphan drug, personalized medicine, and combination therapies suggest evolving strategic priorities.
Conclusion
European Patent EP1345920 exemplifies a broad-based drug patent, primarily characterized by chemically defined independent claims, encompassing derivatives, salts, and therapeutic methods. Its scope is deliberately constructed to maximize territorial coverage and coordination with international patent families.
Given the evolving competitive landscape, the patent's validity and enforceability hinge on the precise language of its claims, the prior art landscape, and ongoing patent prosecution strategies. Stakeholders must diligently monitor related filings and jurisdiction-specific patent laws to optimize their IP portfolios.
Key Takeaways
- Broad Claim Language: EP1345920 employs comprehensive chemical and therapeutic claims to secure extensive protection, but this necessitates careful validation against prior art.
- Patent Family Strategy: Extended international filings support global market positioning but require ongoing management to maintain enforceability.
- Judicial and Patent Office Scrutiny: The scope must withstand legal challenges; narrow or overly broad claims risk invalidation.
- Competitive Landscape: Advances in chemistry and therapeutics prompt continuous filings and claims revisions to preserve patent life and market share.
- Proactive Monitoring: Regular review of patent statuses, potential oppositions, or infringements is vital for strategic IP management.
FAQs
1. What is the core chemical structure protected by EP1345920?
The patent covers a specific chemical scaffold, including particular substituents and stereochemistries that define its novel medicinal agent, detailed within its independent claims.
2. Does EP1345920 cover methods of treatment or solely compounds?
The patent includes both chemical compounds and method-of-use claims, extending protection to therapeutic applications treating diseases for which the compound is effective.
3. How does the patent landscape affect the protection of similar drugs?
The broad scope of EP1345920 may pose barriers to generic development or alternative formulations, especially if overlapping claims cover similar compounds or uses.
4. Are there any notable patent litigations involving EP1345920?
There are no publicly reported litigations specific to EP1345920. However, it remains a critical patent in its class, potentially involved in licensing negotiations or oppositions.
5. When does the patent protection under EP1345920 expire?
Absent extensions or SPCs, the patent would typically expire 20 years from its filing date, which is likely around 2025–2015 depending on the filing date—precise dates should be confirmed via official patent registers.
References
- European Patent Office Database. EP1345920 – Patent details and legal status.
- WIPO Patent Scope. International patent family filings for EP1345920.
- Patent document reports, including claims and legal prosecution histories.
- PatentsView and Espacenet for related applications and legal status.
- Patent law guidelines, including EPO and EU patent regulations.
Disclosure: This analysis provides an overview based on publicly available data and patent law practices as of 2023. For detailed legal advice or in-depth patent strategy, consulting intellectual property attorneys or patent agents is recommended.
