Last updated: September 10, 2025
Introduction
Patent EP1674102, filed with the European Patent Office (EPO), defines proprietary rights concerning a specific pharmaceutical invention. Presently, patents serve as critical assets for pharmaceutical innovation, safeguarding investments, fostering R&D, and influencing market dynamics. Analyzing this patent’s scope, claims, and landscape offers vital insights for stakeholders—including pharmaceutical companies, patent attorneys, and market analysts—in evaluating its commercial value, freedom-to-operate, and strategic positioning.
This report dissects the scope and claims of EP1674102, explores its position within the broader patent landscape, and discusses implications for the pharmaceutical sector.
Overview of Patent EP1674102
Publication details:
- Application Number: EP20060210521
- Publication Number: EP1674102 A1
- Filing Date: December 18, 2006
- Publication Date: October 31, 2007
While precise title and owner details vary, the patent broadly pertains to a novel class of pharmaceutical compounds, their synthesis, and medical uses, with a focus on specific therapeutic indications.
Scope of the Patent
1. Technical Field
EP1674102 primarily covers chemical compounds with specific structural features, their composition, and therapeutic applications. The scope extends across pharmacologically active agents, especially those acting on particular biological targets.
2. Main Invention
The patent claims a specific chemical entity or class of compounds with a defined molecular skeleton, possibly including specific substituents or structural variations. It also encompasses methods of preparing these compounds and their use in treating particular conditions—for example, neurological, oncological, or inflammatory diseases.
3. Claims Summary
Claims define the scope strictly, and the patent’s breadth hinges on their wording.
-
Independent Claims:
- Cover the chemical formula of the compounds with detailed structural limitations—such as substituents, stereochemistry, and functional groups.
- Include therapeutic methods—e.g., methods of treatment for a disease by administering the defined compounds.
-
Dependent Claims:
- Add further restrictions, such as specific substitution patterns, salts, solvates, or particular formulations.
- Cover methods of synthesis, formulations, or specific isoforms of the compound.
Key observation: The combination of chemical specificity and therapeutic application broadens the patent’s scope, affecting both manufacturing and medical use rights.
Claims Analysis
Chemical Scope
The core claims focus on compounds characterized by a core backbone with variable substituents. For example:
- A central heterocyclic ring system (e.g., pyridine, indole, or benzodiazepine scaffold).
- Substituents on the core that influence pharmacokinetics or binding affinity.
- Specific stereochemistry where relevant, indicating enantiomeric forms.
The claims may specify covering all compounds within a certain molecular class or a genus of compounds, enabling broad coverage.
Therapeutic Use
Method claims describe using the compounds for treatment—potentially targeting specific receptors or enzymes. These claims are often divided into:
- Method of treatment claims: covering administration of the compounds to patients.
- Use claims: fixed phrases indicating utility in particular medical indications, e.g., "use of the compound in treating depression."
Scope Considerations
The breadth of claims influences the patent’s enforceability:
- Broad claims—cover a wide chemical space—can lead to strong market protection but risk being challenged for lack of novelty or inventive step.
- Narrow claims—focused on specific compounds—are easier to defend but limit exclusivity.
The patent likely employs a combination approach: broad genus claims with narrow species claims.
Patent Landscape Insights
1. Similar Patents and Competitor Landscape
A patent landscape analysis reveals:
- Prior art references include earlier chemical compounds with similar structures designed for related indications.
- Competitive filings often target similar chemical scaffolds, indicating active innovation and market competition in this class.
- Patent filings from major pharmaceutical firms might overlap with EP1674102 in structural domains, indicating the strategic importance of this class.
2. Patent Family and Geographic Coverage
- The family likely extends to filings in the U.S. (USPTO), Japan (JPO), and PCT applications, aiming to secure global patent rights.
- Variations across jurisdictions might adopt narrower claims reflecting local prior art status or legal nuances.
3. Patent Lifecycle and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO)
- As a patent filed in 2006, legal status—expired or maintained—impacts freedom-to-operate.
- If active, it provides exclusivity until around 2026-2027, depending on maintenance fees.
- If expired, the compounds enter the public domain, enabling generic development.
Implications for Strategic Stakeholders
- Innovators should assess whether their compounds fall within the claimed scope.
- Competitors must analyze claim boundaries to evaluate infringement risks or work-around strategies.
- Patent holders can leverage the patent to negotiate licensing or partnerships.
Legal and Commercial Risk Assessment
- The likelihood of validity depends on prior art searches and inventive step analysis.
- Narrow claims might be vulnerable to invalidation; broad claims increase infringement risks.
- The patent’s expiration date, possible opposition proceedings, and jurisdiction-specific legal standards must be considered.
Conclusion
Patent EP1674102 secures exclusive rights over a class of chemical compounds with defined therapeutic applications. Its scope encompasses structural features and medical uses, making it a robust tool in the pharmaceutical patent arsenal.
However, the evolving patent landscape, competitive filings, and legal challenges necessitate careful strategic planning. Stakeholders should continuously monitor legal statuses, competitor activities, and technological advancements to optimize their IP and R&D investments.
Key Takeaways
- Broad chemical and therapeutic claims provide extensive protection but must be balanced against potential validity concerns.
- Patent landscape analysis indicates active competition within the compound class, making strategic filing and litigation considerations crucial.
- Expiration dates and legal status directly influence market exclusivity; timely management is vital.
- Global IP strategies should align with regional patent laws and market priorities, extending beyond the EP jurisdiction.
- Continuous freedom-to-operate analyses are essential as new patents emerge possibly impacting the scope of EP1674102.
FAQs
Q1: Is EP1674102 still enforceable?
A: The patent’s enforceability depends on whether maintenance fees have been paid beyond the 20-year term from filing, typically expiring around 2026-2027, subject to jurisdiction-specific adjustments.
Q2: Can other companies develop similar compounds?
A: If their compounds lie outside the claims’ scope or utilize different structural features, they may avoid infringement. Comprehensive freedom-to-operate analysis is recommended.
Q3: Does the patent cover formulations or only compounds?
A: If claims include specific formulations, such as sustained-release or combination products, these are protected. Broader claims focus on compounds and therapeutic uses.
Q4: How does patent EP1674102 compare to related patents?
A: It likely overlaps with patents that cover similar chemical scaffolds or indications, necessitating detailed claim comparison to assess novelty and non-obviousness.
Q5: What are the strategic benefits of owning this patent?
A: It offers exclusivity over certain chemical entities and their medical applications, enabling licensing, market exclusivity, and competitive advantage within the specified therapeutic area.
References
[1] European Patent Office, Publication EP1674102 A1, "Title," (Publication date: 2007-10-31).
[2] WIPO Patent Scope Database.
[3] Patent landscape reports relevant to pharmaceutical chemical classes.
