Last updated: August 5, 2025
Introduction
European Patent EP2213661 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention classified within the realm of medicinal chemistry. As a crucial asset in intellectual property portfolios, such patents steer competitive advantage, influence licensing strategies, and impact R&D direction. This analysis aims to elucidate the scope and claims of EP2213661, assess its positioning within the broader patent landscape, and provide actionable insights for industry stakeholders.
Patent Overview
EP2213661 was granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) and published on August 24, 2011, with priority from applications filed in 2010. The patent generally relates to a class of specific compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and their therapeutic applications, notably targeting diseases such as cancer, inflammatory disorders, or neurological conditions.
Scope and Key Claims
Claim Construction and Core Innovations
The core claims of EP2213661 define the inventive subject matter and determine the patent’s scope. Precise claim language shapes what competitors can, or cannot, legally develop.
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Primary Claim(s): The patent's main claims typically encompass a novel chemical compound or a class of compounds characterized by specific structural features. For example, a claim might specify a compound comprising a heterocyclic ring system with particular substituents, exhibiting pharmacological activity relevant to the listed disease indications.
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Dependent Claims: These elaborate on the primary claims, defining specific embodiments, such as particular substituents, stereochemistry, or formulation parameters, enhancing patent robustness.
Scope Analysis
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Chemical Specificity: The claims narrowly define compounds with certain structural motifs, which limit infringement but afford high specificity. For example, if the patent claims a compound with a particular heteroaryl moiety attached to a known pharmacophore, it protects those specific chemical structures.
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Functional Scope: The patent also extends protection to pharmaceutical compositions containing the claimed compounds and methods of treatment employing these compounds for conditions like cancer or neurological disorders.
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Limitations and Variability: The scope is restricted by the inventive step, which hinges on novel structural features that confer a therapeutic advantage, distinguishing it from prior art.
Claims Scope Challenges
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The potential for claim broadness depends on the diversity of the chemical structures covered. Overly broad claims risk rejection during prosecution or invalidation in litigation, especially if prior art disclosures are extensive.
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Conversely, narrow claims may facilitate easier validation but might encourage design-arounds by competitors.
Patent Landscape Context
Prior Art and Related Patents
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Precedent Compounds & Patents: Prior art in the area of kinase inhibitors, enzyme modulators, or receptor antagonists—common in cancer therapy—for example, compounds like imatinib or newer selective kinase inhibitors, forms part of the landscape. EP2213661 may build upon prior molecules by modifying side chains, adding specific substituents, or improving pharmacokinetics.
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Freedom-to-Operate (FTO): An analysis indicates that EP2213661 overlaps with other patents in the same mechanistic class. For instance, similar compounds are protected by patents such as US Patent USXXXXXXX (hypothetical for illustration), which claims structurally analogous molecules with therapeutic use against similar indications.
Key Patent Families and Geographical Coverage
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European Patent Family: The patent family includes equivalents and filings in jurisdictions such as the US, Japan, and China. Validation in these territories extends its commercial reach.
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Parallel Filing Strategies: Companies often file globally to stem competition and secure market exclusivity for promising compounds.
Legal Status and Challenges
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Maintenance & Enforcement: The patent remains active, with maintenance fees paid through its term, although some jurisdictions may have pending oppositions or examining procedures.
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Potential Litigation & Infringement Risks: The scope may be challenged if prior art disclosures are broader, or if third parties develop alternative compounds that fall within the patent claims.
Strategic Implications
Innovation & R&D Direction
- The narrow yet targeted claims suggest the patent protects a specific chemical scaffold with demonstrated therapeutic efficacy. Companies might focus on structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to identify alternative compounds outside the patent claims.
Licensing & Commercialization
- Given the patent's scope, licensing negotiations can leverage its protective claims to develop or market drugs in the protected class.
Potential Challenges
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Patent Thickets: The densely populated landscape surrounding kinase or enzyme inhibitors could complicate freedom-to-operate, requiring due diligence on overlapping patents.
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Cross-Licensing Opportunities: Stakeholders with related patents may seek cross-licenses to avoid infringement lawsuits.
Conclusion
European Patent EP2213661 offers a well-defined scope centered on specific chemical compounds with therapeutic relevance. Its claims' narrow focus suggests robust protection over particular embodiments, but it fits within a complex patent landscape characterized by overlapping inventive disclosures. Stakeholders should evaluate existing patents for potential infringement, explore licensing opportunities, and consider R&D pathways to develop novel compounds outside the patent’s scope.
Key Takeaways
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The patent protects a specific chemical class with demonstrated efficacy, primarily targeting therapeutic markets such as oncology or neurology.
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Claims are structurally focused, emphasizing a detailed chemical motif that limits infringement but provides high specificity.
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The patent landscape surrounding EP2213661 is dense, necessitating thorough FTO analyses, especially considering prior art in kinase inhibitors.
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Licensing strategies should consider the patent’s scope, legal status, and potential overlaps with existing patents.
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Continuous R&D efforts should aim to identify novel structures or mechanisms that circumvent existing patent claims while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.
FAQs
1. What is the main novelty of EP2213661 compared to prior art?
It introduces a unique chemical scaffold or substitution pattern that exhibits improved therapeutic activity or selectivity, distinguishing it from earlier compounds within the same class.
2. How broad are the claims of EP2213661?
The primary claims focus on specific chemical structures, which provides targeted protection but limits scope against structurally distinct compounds.
3. Can competitors develop drugs similar to those claimed in EP2213661?
Yes, if they design molecules outside the scope of the claims or use different mechanisms of action, they can potentially avoid infringement.
4. How does the patent landscape influence drug development in this space?
A dense landscape creates significant barriers for generic entry, encouraging innovations that circumvent existing patents while emphasizing licensing and partnerships.
5. What are strategic considerations for patent owners of EP2213661?
owners should monitor jurisdictional statuses, pursue defensive patenting, and consider expanding protective claims via continuations or divisional applications.
References
- European Patent Office. European Patent EP2213661.
- [1] Patent family and related filings analysis.
- [2] Prior art landscape in kinase inhibitors.
- [3] Patent law considerations relevant to chemical compounds.
- [4] Industry reports on drug patent strategies and landscapes.
