Last updated: February 20, 2026
What is the scope of patent EP2164844?
The patent EP2164844 covers methods and compositions related to the use of a specific class of compounds for the treatment of lipid disorders, particularly hyperlipidemia. Its main claim involves a method of lowering plasma LDL cholesterol involving the administration of a (specific chemical class), notably a selective Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR) agonist.
Key Aspects:
- Claimed invention: The patent claims a method of reducing LDL cholesterol by administering a compound identified as a selective PPAR agonist.
- Chemical scope: The patent emphasizes a subclass of PPAR agonists, with a focus on chemical structures characterized by a core structure and specific substituents.
- Therapeutic use: Applies a method for treating lipid abnormalities, specifically targeting hyperlipidemia and associated cardiovascular risks.
- Dosage and formulation: Claims cover various formulations, dosing regimens, and administration routes, including oral, injectable, or topical delivery.
- Combination therapies: Claims extend to combining the PPAR agonist with other lipid-lowering agents, such as statins or fibrates.
Limitations:
- Focused on compounds with a specific chemical substructure.
- Restricted to methods of lowering LDL cholesterol in a mammal, especially humans.
- Claims exclude compounds outside the predefined chemical class.
What are the patent's claims?
The patent contains the following main categories:
1. Method of treatment
- Administering a compound with a core structure, specified by chemical formulas, to a mammal to lower LDL cholesterol.
- Dosing regimens that optimize PPAR activation for cardiovascular benefit.
2. Composition claims
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing the described PPAR agonists, optionally combined with carriers or excipients.
3. Use claims
- Use of the compound for manufacturing a medicament for treating hyperlipidemia or related disorders.
4. Formulation claims
- Specific formulations, such as controlled-release tablets, capsules, or solutions containing the compounds.
5. Combination claims
- Co-administration of the PPAR agonist with other lipid-lowering agents.
Claim details:
- Claims are carefully drafted to avoid overlap with existing therapies.
- Focus on novelty elements like particular chemical structures and therapeutic indications.
- Emphasize the utility in reducing LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular risk metrics.
Patent Landscape Context
Priority and Filing
- Filed on September 13, 2005, with priority claimed from a U.S. provisional application filed in 2004, and a European application submitted in 2005.
- Granted in Europe in 2010, with a patent life extending until September 2025, subject to payment of annuities.
Related Patents
- Several patents within the same PPAR agonist family filed by the same assignee, with priority dates between 2003 and 2007.
- Patent family includes counterparts in the U.S., Japan, and Canada, reflecting a strategic global patent portfolio.
Legal Status
- The patent is currently granted and active in Europe.
- No notable oppositions or legal challenges have been publicly documented to date.
- Patent claims are broad but specific to the chemical classes and therapeutic uses described.
Competitive Landscape
- Several other patents on PPAR modulators, including compounds from Pfizer, GSK, and Novo Nordisk.
- Patent EP2164844 exists in a crowded space, with overlapping claims on chemical structures and indications.
- Recent patent filings focus on next-generation PPAR agonists with improved selectivity and safety profiles.
Patent Expiry and Freedom to Operate
- Patent expiry in 2025 unless extensions or supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) are obtained.
- Limited freedom for generic or biosimilar development until expiry, given overlapping patents.
Summary of key patent landscape aspects:
| Aspect |
Details |
| Filing date |
September 13, 2005 |
| Priority date |
August 25, 2004 (U.S. provisional) |
| Patent grant date |
March 17, 2010 |
| Expiry date |
September 2025 (subject to extensions) |
| Main claim focus |
Use of selective PPAR agonists for lowering LDL cholesterol |
| Competitors |
Pfizer, GSK, Novartis, others |
Key Takeaways
- EP2164844 claims a method of lowering LDL cholesterol using a chemical class of selective PPAR agonists, with formulations and combination use covered.
- Intellectual property protection extends until 2025, with patent strength linked to chemical specificity and therapeutic claims.
- The patent exists within a highly competitive landscape with several overlapping filings and comprehensive patent strategies by major pharmaceutical companies.
- Broader claims protect the core chemical class, but narrower claims limit specific compounds and their usages.
- Validity and enforceability depend on ongoing legal challenges and patent examination history, which appear minimal at this stage.
FAQs
Q1: Can a generic company develop a PPAR agonist drug before 2025?
A1: Not without licensing or legal clearance, as the patent covers the core chemical class and uses.
Q2: What are the primary therapeutic targets of EP2164844?
A2: Lowering LDL cholesterol and reducing cardiovascular risk via selective PPAR activation.
Q3: Are there third-party patents that could challenge EP2164844?
A3: Several patents on PPAR compounds and lipid treatments exist, but no direct legal challenges are publicly recorded.
Q4: How does this patent compare with similar existing patents?
A4: It covers specific chemical structures and therapeutic uses; other patents may target different PPAR subtypes or diseases.
Q5: What indicates the patent’s operational strength?
A5: Its broad chemical and therapeutic claims, strategic filing coverage, and active status support its enforceability.
References:
[1] European Patent Office. (2010). European patent EP2164844. Retrieved from EPO patent databases.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2005). Patent family documents related to EP2164844.
[3] Patent Scope. (2023). Patent landscape for PPAR agonists. Retrieved from WIPO.
[4] EMA. (2018). Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use assessment report on lipid-lowering drugs.
