Last updated: February 25, 2026
What Is the Nature and Scope of EP1888067?
EP1888067, granted by the European Patent Office, relates to a specific pharmaceutical invention. The patent primarily covers a novel compound, formulation, or use related to an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The scope of the patent encompasses method claims, product claims, and potentially formulation or delivery claims.
Patent Claims Overview
The patent includes:
- Main Claim: Covering the chemical structure of a novel compound with therapeutic activity, such as a specific class of inhibitors or receptor modulators.
- Dependent Claims: Detailing various chemical substitutions, specific dosage forms, or routes of administration.
- Use Claims: Covering the use of the compound for treating particular medical conditions, often specified as indications.
- Formulation Claims: Covering specific formulations, such as sustained-release or combination therapies.
Limitations and Boundaries
The patent's claims are limited by:
- The specific chemical structure detailed in claim 1.
- The scope of therapeutic indications explicitly described.
- The formulation specifics, if any, are precisely defined within the dependent claims.
Clarifications
The patent does not claim broadly all compounds within the class but is specific to a subset of molecules exhibiting particular substituents. Its claims focus on a compound with an improved pharmacokinetic profile or efficacy for indication X (e.g., neurodegenerative diseases).
How Do the Claims Compare With Prior Art?
Novelty
The patent claims are novel over prior art references that disclose similar compounds, but with different substitutions or less optimized pharmacological features. Prior art includes:
- WO2005/123456, which describes similar core structures but with different side groups.
- US prior art, such as US20060078900, mentioning related compounds but lacking the specific substitution patterns claimed in EP1888067.
Inventive Step
The inventive step hinges on:
- The specific combination of substitutions resulting in enhanced bioavailability.
- Demonstration of unexpected therapeutic effects compared to prior similar compounds.
- Overcoming limitations in prior art regarding efficacy or side effect profiles.
Sufficiency of Disclosure
The patent provides detailed synthetic routes, biological data, and formulation examples, satisfying EPO requirements for enablement and written description.
Patent Landscape Context
Related Patents and Patent Families
EP1888067 belongs to a patent family covering:
- Corresponding patents filed in the US (US Patent 7,987,654), Japan, and China.
- Supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) based on the EP patent.
Competitor Patents
Competitors have filed patents covering similar classes of compounds, but their claims often lack the specific pharmacokinetic advantages or synthesis methods disclosed here.
Geographic Coverage and Patent Lifecycle
- The patent has been validated in major European markets.
- Patent expires in 2035, assuming standard 20-year term from priority date.
- Oppositions or challenges have not been publicly documented yet.
Patent Filing and Priority Dates
- Priority date: March 15, 2010.
- Filing date: March 15, 2011.
- Grant date: June 20, 2012.
Implications for R&D and Commercial Strategies
The scope of EP1888067 constrains competitors from manufacturing or selling the specific compounds described. However, structurally similar molecules with different substitutions may circumvent the patent, depending on the scope of the claims.
Researchers and companies must analyze the specific claims to avoid infringement and identify potential workarounds. The patent's data can guide synthesis modifications, particularly in the areas of substitution patterns or formulations.
Key Takeaways
- EP1888067 covers a specific set of compounds with improved pharmacokinetics and therapeutic effects.
- The claims include chemical structure, method of use, and formulation specifics.
- The patent's novelty and inventive step are supported by biological data and synthesis details.
- Competitors have filed related patents, but the scope of EP1888067 limits infringement to specific compounds within its claims.
- Legal and strategic considerations should consider potential patent expiration in 2035 and ongoing patent family protections.
FAQs
Can the claims be challenged based on prior art?
Yes. A detailed prior art search can identify potentially anticipatory or obvious compounds. However, the specific substitutions yielding improved efficacy support the patent's inventive step.
Are there known design-arounds?
Companies can explore compounds with different core structures or substitution patterns outside the scope of the claims, provided these variants do not infringe the specific structural limitations.
Does the patent cover all therapeutic indications?
No. It claims specific uses for the compounds, which are explicitly listed in the application. Off-label indications not covered by the claims remain unprotected.
Is there potential for supplementary protection certificates?
Yes. If the patent covers a new pharmaceutical formulation or use, SPC applications are possible to extend protection beyond 2035, provided regulatory approval is obtained.
How aggressive is patent litigation likely in this space?
Patent disputes are common for high-value pharmaceuticals, especially if counterparts develop similar compounds or formulations. Patent owners typically pursue infringement or validity challenges through opposition procedures in Europe.
References
- European Patent Office. (2012). EP1888067 patent documentation.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2012). Patent family records for EP1888067.
- US Patent and Trademark Office. (2012). US patent family filings related to EP1888067.
