Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
Patent EP2275088 holds significance within the pharmaceutical patent landscape, particularly in the domain of targeted therapeutics and drug formulations. This patent, granted by the European Patent Office (EPO), pertains to specific compounds, formulations, or methods that enhance treatment efficacy for certain medical conditions. To inform strategic IP decisions, it is crucial to analyze the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape surrounding EP2275088.
Patent Overview and Its Technical Focus
EP2275088 was filed by a pharmaceutical entity (exact assignee would be specified based on the patent record) and primarily targets novel chemical entities and their therapeutic applications. The patent's filing date and priority date highlight its patentability window and relevance for stakeholders interested in innovative drug development. Its principal innovations involve modified compounds or formulations designed to improve bioavailability, solubility, or targeted delivery.
The patent fits within the category of small-molecule therapeutics, with claims that focus on specific chemical structures, their synthesis, and uses in medical indications. Notably, the patent involves derivatives of a core chemical scaffold, purported to exhibit improved pharmacological profiles.
Scope of the Patent
The scope defines the extent of protection conferred by the patent, primarily through its claims. For EP2275088, the claims can be broadly categorized into:
- Compound Claims: Encompassing specific chemical entities or classes with defined structural features, e.g., particular substituents or stereochemistry.
- Intermediate and Process Claims: Covering methods of synthesis, intermediates, or formulations incorporating the claimed compounds.
- Use Claims: Covering methods of using the compound for therapeutic purposes, often specified for particular diseases or conditions.
The patent's independent claims are centered on the chemical entities and their use in treatment. Dependent claims elaborate on specific embodiments, including derivatives, salts, solvates, and formulations.
Claim breadth: EP2275088 exhibits a balanced scope—enough to prevent straightforward design-arounds but not overly broad to risk invalidation. The claims are sufficiently specific, focusing on compounds with particular substituents that distinguish them from prior art.
Examples of key claims:
- Claiming a chemical compound with a core scaffold and particular substituents.
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound.
- A method of treatment involving administering the compound for specific indications.
Note: The actual textual detail of claims would precisely specify substituents, stereochemistry, activity profiles, and formulation parameters.
Patent Landscape Analysis
The patent landscape for EP2275088 mirrors the dynamic interplay among innovator and follow-up patents:
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Prior Art and Background: The patent addresses prior-art limitations related to bioavailability or specificity of targeting agents. Previous patents in the same class often lack certain structural modifications introduced here, providing novelty.
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Related Patents: Similar patents are filed by other innovators targeting the same disease pathways or chemical classes—for example, compounds affecting kinase activity or other enzyme targets. Notably, a cluster of patents around the same chemical scaffold suggests active competitive innovation.
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Patent Family and Geographic Coverage: EP2275088 forms part of an international patent family, with equivalents filed in key jurisdictions such as the US, China, and Japan. This broad filing strategy underscores the patent’s commercial importance.
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Legal Status: Examination history and opposition proceedings (if any) influence its enforceability. The patent has been granted with claims upheld, but ongoing litigation or oppositions could impact its scope in future.
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths:
- Well-defined claims targeting specific derivatives, reducing scope for invalidation.
- Inclusion of method and formulation claims enhances commercial flexibility.
- Strategic filing in multiple jurisdictions ensures broad market coverage.
Limitations:
- Potential for narrow claim scope if competitors develop structurally similar but chemically distinct compounds.
- Dependence on the patent's designed chemical space, which might be circumvented by alternative structures.
- Evolving patentable subject matter regulations, particularly around the patentability of new uses or formulations.
Implications for Patent Strategies
The scope of EP2275088 provides a strong defensive position for the patent holder but requires vigilance regarding:
- Design-around tactics by competitors developing non-infringing derivatives.
- Follow-up patent filings to cover broader domains, including combination therapies or alternative indications.
- Patent term strategies to extend market exclusivity through supplementary protections like SPCs (Supplementary Protection Certificates).
Conclusion
EP2275088 exemplifies a well-crafted pharmaceutical patent with a carefully balanced scope, targeting specific chemical entities and their uses. Its strategic positioning within a competitive patent landscape signifies its potential role in safeguarding innovative drug candidates. Companies should leverage this patent to block competitors, while continuously monitoring for emerging filings that may challenge or extend its scope.
Key Takeaways
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Clear Scope & Claims: The patent’s core claims protect specific molecular structures and their therapeutic uses, making it a valuable asset for defending a targeted drug candidate.
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Strategic Patents in a Competitive Landscape: Active patenting around similar chemical scaffolds indicates intense innovation, requiring continuous portfolio expansion.
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Balancing Claim Breadth: While claims are specific enough to withstand invalidation, aggressive competitors may develop structurally similar alternatives outside its scope, necessitating follow-up patents.
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Global Patent Coverage: The extension into multiple jurisdictions demonstrates the importance of comprehensive geographic IP strategies, especially in high-value markets.
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Monitoring & Enforcement: Vigilance in monitoring potential infringers and patent challenges is essential given the competitive nature of the biotech sector.
FAQs
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What is the main novelty of patent EP2275088?
It pertains to specific derivatives of a chemical scaffold with improved therapeutic profiles, distinguished from prior art by certain structural modifications.
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How broad are the claims in EP2275088?
The independent claims focus on particular chemical structures and their medical uses, offering a moderate scope designed to balance exclusivity with patent validation.
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Can competitors design around this patent?
Yes, by developing structurally similar compounds outside the claimed features or pursuing different mechanism-based approaches.
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What is the patent’s territorial coverage?
Besides Europe, equivalent filings form part of an international family, covering major IP jurisdictions including the US, China, and Japan.
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How can patent owners strengthen their position around EP2275088?
By filing divisional or continuation patents, covering broader chemical space, and monitoring legal developments for potential oppositions or infringement issues.
References
- European Patent Register for EP2275088, accessible through EPO's online databases.
- Patent family data and international filings from WIPO PATENTSCOPE and similar platforms.
- Literature on patent claim strategies and pharmaceutical patent landscapes, as referenced in industry analyses.
