Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
European Patent EP1466912, titled "Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment," is a patent granted by the European Patent Office (EPO). This patent encompasses novel pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating specific medical conditions via innovative compounds or delivery systems.
Understanding the scope and claims of EP1466912 is crucial for stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies, generic manufacturers, and patent strategists, as it informs the boundaries of patent protection and potential licensing or infringement risks.
Scope of EP1466912
The scope of EP1466912 covers:
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing specific active ingredients or combinations.
- Methods of treatment utilizing these compositions.
- Specific formulations, such as dosage forms, carriers, or delivery mechanisms.
- Targeted medical conditions, possibly including neurological, oncological, or infectious diseases, as implied by the patent's claims.
The patent's breadth hinges on the clarity and breadth of its claims, which define the extent of protection. The scope is also informed by the claims' language, which emphasize particular chemical structures, formulations, and therapeutic indications.
Claims Analysis
The claims, forming the legal core of EP1466912, are categorized into two main types:
- Independent Claims: define the broadest scope, often covering the core invention.
- Dependent Claims: add specific limitations, embodiments, or particular embodiments enhancing or narrowing the scope.
Key Elements of the Claims
1. Chemical Composition Claims
The primary independent claim likely protects a pharmaceutical composition comprising a novel active ingredient, or a combination thereof, characterized by specific structural features. For example, the patent may claim:
- A composition comprising a compound of formula I, defined by particular substituents.
- A combination of compounds, such as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) with a carrier or excipient, specified for enhancing bioavailability or stability.
2. Method-of-Treatment Claims
These claims specify therapeutic methods involving administering the claimed composition to treat a disease or condition, e.g.,:
- Administering a specified dose regimen of the composition to a patient.
- Using the composition to treat neurological disorders, cancer, or viral infections, depending on the patent’s focus.
3. Formulation and Delivery System Claims
Claims may extend to specific dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, or injectables, including controlled-release systems. These claims protect not just the molecule but also the delivery mechanism, critical for patent robustness.
Patent Landscape and Competitors
EP1466912 exists within a broader patent landscape characterized by:
- Prior Art Searches: comparing the patent to earlier disclosures in chemical and pharmaceutical patent families.
- Related Patents: filings related to similar compounds, formulations, or therapeutic uses by the same applicant or third parties.
The patent landscape often includes:
- Blocking patents protecting core compounds in related therapeutic classes.
- Improvement patents focusing on formulations, delivery systems, or specific indications.
- Patent thickets created by overlapping claims from competitors aiming to produce similar therapeutics.
Patent families linked to EP1466912 may include counterparts filed in other jurisdictions like the US, Japan, or PCT applications, expanding the sovereignty of protection.
Legal Status and Validity
EP1466912's validity depends on adherence to EPO's procedural requirements, novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. Challenges such as opposition or revocation proceedings may target the novelty or inventive step of the claims, especially if similar prior art exists.
The patent's enforceability expires 20 years from its earliest priority date, which likely falls within the mid-2000s, depending on specific filing and priority dates.
Implications for Industry
- For Innovators: The scope offers a platform for developing novel formulations or uses. Broad claims can fend off competitors but risk validity challenges.
- For Generics: The patent may impede the launch of cheaper alternatives unless challenged successfully.
- For Licensing: The patent owner can monetize through licensing, especially if the claims cover high-value therapeutic indications.
Conclusion
EP1466912 exemplifies a strategically crafted pharmaceutical patent, balancing broad composition and method claims with specific embodiments. Its scope influences market exclusivity, research directions, and competitive dynamics in the targeted therapeutic area. Stakeholders must analyze claim construction and patent landscape comprehensively to inform R&D, patent filing strategies, and patent enforcement or challenge plans.
Key Takeaways
- The patent's claims core around a specific pharmaceutical composition and associated treatment methods, potentially covering multiple formulations and indications.
- The scope's breadth is critical in determining market exclusivity, countered by prior art and potential validity challenges.
- The patent landscape features related filings that may influence or complement EP1466912’s protection, especially across jurisdictions.
- Continuous monitoring of legal status and potential oppositions or challenges is essential for infringement risk assessment.
- Strategic use of the patent includes licensing, defending market position, or enabling secure R&D pathways.
FAQs
Q1: What is the primary focus of EP1466912?
A: It primarily covers novel pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment involving specific active compounds and delivery systems, targeted toward particular medical conditions.
Q2: How broad are the claims of EP1466912?
A: The claims range from broad compositions involving specific chemical structures to specific formulations and therapeutic methods, providing a strong scope of protection but subject to validity constraints based on prior art.
Q3: How does the patent landscape affect EP1466912?
A: The presence of related patents in chemical, formulation, and therapeutic areas can influence the enforceability and freedom to operate, requiring due diligence to identify potential infringements or opportunities.
Q4: Can the patent be challenged?
A: Yes, through opposition procedures during the EPO opposition period, or via invalidity proceedings, especially if prior art can be established that undermines novelty or inventive step.
Q5: How does this patent impact future drug development?
A: It potentially blocks competitors from developing similar compositions or methods within the patent's scope, encouraging innovation around the protected compounds or formulations.
References
- European Patent Office, EP1466912 patent document.
- WIPO Patent Scope Database.
- EPO Official Journal and legal status records.
- Patent landscape analyses in the relevant therapeutic field (if applicable).
