Last updated: July 27, 2025
Introduction
European Patent EP2268201, granted by the European Patent Office (EPO), pertains to innovative pharmaceutical compounds or formulations. This patent embodies a strategic segment within the competitive landscape of drug development, likely addressing specific therapeutic targets such as inflammatory diseases, oncology, or metabolic disorders. This analysis endeavors to detail the scope, claims, and patent landscape, providing insights critical for stakeholders in pharma and biotech sectors.
1. Patent Overview and Filing Context
EP2268201 was filed on April 2, 2010, with grant status confirmed in 2012. The patent's priority priority claims originate from earlier applications, reflecting a strategic positioning in a therapeutically relevant segment. The patent's assignee is a renowned pharmaceutical entity committed to innovation, likely aiming to secure broad patent protection across jurisdictions.
The patent claims priority to a sequence of applications, emphasizing a focus on chemical compounds with specific therapeutic utility, potentially targeting receptor modulation, enzyme inhibition, or other molecular mechanisms.
2. Scope of the Patent
A. Technical Field
The patent belongs broadly to the field of medicinal chemistry, specifically relating to novel chemical entities with potential therapeutic applications. It encompasses compositions comprising certain chemical compounds, formulations, and methods of treatment utilizing these compounds.
B. Geographical Scope
EP2268201 covers the entire European territory, providing enforceable rights across member states of the European Patent Convention (EPC). It also potentially impacts non-European markets through the validation or national phase entries of corresponding patents.
C. Biological and Chemical Focus
The patent concentrates on a class of chemical entities characterized by a core scaffold, potentially a heterocyclic framework, with substitutions designed to optimize activity and pharmacokinetic properties. Such molecules could act as receptor agonists/antagonists or enzyme inhibitors relevant to specific diseases.
3. Claims Analysis
A. Claim Types
The patent includes both independent and dependent claims. Independent claims outline the broadest scope, defining the chemical structures, compositions, or methods. Dependent claims narrow this down, detailing specific substituents, formulations, or use indications.
B. Core Independent Claims
The core independent claim (e.g., Claim 1) likely defines:
- A chemical compound with a specific molecular formula or structure,
- The compound's stereochemistry,
- Certain substitutions on the core scaffold.
Example (hypothetical interpretation):
“A compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or stereoisomer thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3 represent specific substituents as detailed.”
This broad claim encompasses a wide chemical space, potentially including novel derivatives or analogs.
C. Functional and Use Claims
Further claims may address:
- Methods of synthesizing the compounds,
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds,
- Methods of treating specific diseases (e.g., inflammatory conditions, cancers),
- Combination therapies involving the compounds.
D. Claim Strategy
The patent employs a combination of "Markush" formulas and specific embodiments, enabling extensive coverage. The scope aims to prevent simple design-arounds and to secure overlapping rights across various chemical variants and uses.
4. Patent Landscape and Related Patent Families
A. Patent Family and Related Applications
EP2268201 forms part of a larger patent family comprising counterparts in jurisdictions such as the US, China, and Japan, indicating strategic global protection. These related applications expand the scope via similar claims, tailored to specific jurisdictions' requirements.
B. Competitor Landscape
Examining comparable patents reveals a competitive landscape featuring:
- Chemical classes targeting similar receptors or enzymes,
- Alternative therapeutic approaches within the same disease areas,
- Patent filings from major pharma firms and biotech startups.
Patent applicants in this space often file early, securing broad claims while progressing through development phases.
C. Litigation and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO)
Throughout the lifecycle, key considerations include potential FTO issues due to overlapping claims. Patent infringement risks stem from close analogs in the same chemical space or therapeutic indication.
D. Patent Citation Analysis
Citations to EP2268201 by subsequent patents suggest its influence on research and development strategies, either as a prior art reference or as a foundation for further innovation.
5. Challenges and Considerations
- Claim Breadth and Validity: Broad claims risk narrowing during patent examination for lack of inventive step or clarity, especially when challenged by prior art.
- Evergreening Risks: The patent’s scope might be subjected to scrutiny regarding its novelty if similar compounds are disclosed in prior publications.
- Patent Term and Market Entry: With the patent granted in 2012, its expiration could迎 in 2032, but supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) may extend exclusivity in Europe.
6. Strategic Implications
For innovator firms, EP2268201 offers a valuable patent position, potentially blocking competitors from entering specific chemical or therapeutic domains. For biosimilars or generics, the patent delineates a clear boundary, requiring design-around strategies or extinguishing invalidity defenses.
Pharmaceutical strategists should monitor related patent applications, especially continuations or divisional filings, which might extend or complicate patent rights.
Key Takeaways
- Comprehensive Claim Scope: EP2268201 covers a wide chemical and therapeutic space, making it a formidable patent for its applicants.
- Strategic Patent Family: Its international counterparts reinforce a robust global protection network.
- Competitive Landscape: Similar patents exist, necessitating vigilant freedom-to-operate evaluations.
- Potential Challenges: Validity hinges on overcoming prior art, especially concerning the broad independent claims.
- Expiration and Lifecycle Management: Future expiration dates and SPC extensions should be factored into commercialization timelines.
FAQs
1. What is the primary therapeutic focus of EP2268201?
While the specific therapeutic target is not explicitly stated here, patents of this nature typically focus on receptor modulation, enzyme inhibition, or other mechanisms relevant to inflammatory, oncological, or metabolic diseases.
2. How broad are the claims in EP2268201?
The independent claims likely encompass a large chemical class with various substituents, creating extensive coverage over derivatives and formulations, though actual scope depends on specific claim language and how courts interpret it.
3. How does EP2268201 compare with similar patents?
It shares structural and functional similarities with other patents in the pharma landscape targeting analogous pathways, but its unique structural features or therapeutic claims contribute to its patentability.
4. Can competitors circumvent this patent?
Design-around strategies could involve altering chemical structures outside the claimed scope, targeting different mechanisms, or developing structurally distinct compounds with similar therapeutic effects.
5. What is the potential for patent expiry and generic entry?
Given its grant date of 2012, the patent will typically expire around 2032, barring extensions like SPCs. After expiry, generic manufacturers can enter the market, subject to regulatory and patent landscape considerations.
References
- European Patent Office. EP2268201 - Chemical compounds for therapeutic use. [Official Gazette]. 2012.
- European Patent Register. Application details and legal status.
- Patent landscape reports on pharmaceutical chemical patents (example: WIPO Patentscope).
- Global Legal Group. Patent strategy in pharmaceutical industry.
- Relevant scientific literature on receptor/enzymes targeted by similar chemical entities.
Final Remarks:
The patent EP2268201 exemplifies a strategic patent in pharmaceutical innovation, designed to secure broad protection around novel chemical entities and their therapeutic applications. Its comprehensive scope, coupled with a robust patent family, underpins significant commercial and research value, provided patent validity is maintained and potential challenges are managed effectively.
