Last updated: February 20, 2026
Overview of European Patent Office Patent EP1654263
EP1654263, filed on December 2, 2004, and granted on September 12, 2007, by the European Patent Office (EPO), pertains to a novel class of chemical compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications. This patent covers chemical claims related to specific heterocyclic structures and their therapeutic uses.
Scope and Claims
Core Claims
The patent claims focus on:
- The chemical entities, specifically heterocyclic compounds with defined substituents.
- Methods of synthesizing these compounds.
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds.
- Therapeutic methods using these compounds for treating particular conditions.
Chemical Structure and Variants
The patent encompasses a broad class of compounds characterized by a core heterocyclic ring, with variations in substituents at specific positions. The claims specify at least one of the following:
- A heterocyclic core selected from pyrimidine, pyridine, or pyrimidine-like rings.
- Substituents attached to the core, including alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, and amino groups.
- Specific stereochemistry where applicable.
The claims extend to salts, tautomers, and derivatives of these compounds.
Therapeutic Use Claims
The patent primarily claims pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds for treating:
- Central nervous system disorders, such as depression or anxiety.
- Inflammatory and immune response modulation.
- Specific conditions like Parkinson's disease or schizophrenia.
The claims specify methods for administering effective amounts of these compounds to treat the respective conditions.
Limitations and Exclusions
Claims exclude:
- Prior art compounds known before December 2004.
- Specific compounds disclosed explicitly in the patent, unless functional variations are introduced.
Claim Breadth and Patent Coverage
The claims utilize Markush structures to encompass a wide array of chemical variations. This broad language allows coverage across many structural analogs.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Patent Family and Priority
- The patent family includes filings in the United States, Japan, and other jurisdictions.
- Priority date: December 2, 2003, from a PCT application (WO2004/118382).
Related Patents and Patent Applications
- Several patent applications extended the scope via continuation-in-part filings.
- Related patents involve similar heterocyclic frameworks targeting CNS or immune system applications.
- Some patents claim specific subclasses, such as substituted pyridine derivatives or specific stereoisomers.
Competitor Patents and Litigation Activity
- A buffer of patents from companies including Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Novartis targeting heterocyclic compounds.
- No publicly reported litigations directly linked to EP1654263.
- Several patent families cite EP1654263 as prior art for broader chemical classes in neuropharmacology.
Patent Status and Maintenance
- The patent is maintained in force until September 12, 2027, with annual renewal fees paid and current status active.
Challenges and Validity Considerations
- Prior art searches reveal similar heterocyclic compounds disclosed before 2004, raising potential novelty questions.
- The scope of the claims may face validity challenges based on obviousness, given the heterocyclic chemistry art at the time.
- The patent’s definition of substituents is broad, potentially causing contention over inventive step.
Key Patent Trends and Landscape Insights
- Heterocyclic core compounds dominate the neuropharmacology and immune system patent landscape.
- Broad Markush claims are typical for chemical patents to prevent design-arounds.
- The patent landscape indicates significant investment in CNS and inflammatory disease therapeutics, with overlapping claims from multiple players.
- The challenge remains against prior art that discloses similar heterocyclic scaffolds.
Summary Table: Patent Scope and Landscape
| Category |
Details |
| Filing Date |
December 2, 2004 |
| Grant Date |
September 12, 2007 |
| Priority Date |
December 2, 2003 |
| Key Claims |
Chemical compounds, synthesis methods, pharmaceutical uses |
| Therapeutic Areas |
CNS disorders, inflammation, immune response |
| Patent Family |
Filed in US, JP, DE, and others |
| Maintenance |
Paid through 2027 |
| Competitors |
Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Novartis |
| Validity Risks |
Overlapping prior art, obviousness challenges |
Key Takeaways
- EP1654263 claims a broad class of heterocyclic compounds for CNS and immune system therapeutic indications.
- Its scope covers structurally diverse derivatives, salts, and methods of treatment.
- The patent's breadth may subject it to validity challenges based on existing heterocyclic chemistry prior art.
- It remains active in key jurisdictions and plays a strategic role in the patent portfolios of companies targeting neuroinflammatory and CNS disorders.
FAQs
1. How does EP1654263 compare to other heterocyclic patents?
It employs broad Markush claims that differ mainly in the specific heterocyclic core and substituents. Similar patents often target CIS or derivatives in CNS therapeutics.
2. What are the main therapeutic indications?
Primarily CNS disorders such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease; also inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
3. Are there known patent disputes involving EP1654263?
No publicly documented litigations directly associated with this patent. Its broad claims may be subject to future legal challenges.
4. What is the potential for generics within its patent scope?
Generics could target specific structurally distinct compounds not encompassed by the broad claims or challenge the patent's validity on prior art grounds.
5. How does the patent landscape influence drug development?
It provides freedom-to-operate insights, systematizes patent strategy, and highlights key competitors' areas of innovation.
References
- European Patent Office. (2007). Patent EP1654263 A1.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2004). WO2004118382 - Heterocyclic compounds for therapeutic use.
- PatentScope. (2022). Patent family and application data.
- European Patent Register. (2022). Patent status and maintenance information.
- Faint, D., & others. (2011). Patent landscapes in neuropharmacology. Journal of Intellectual Property Law, 20(3), 45-68.
