Last updated: February 20, 2026
What is the scope of EP2331547?
European Patent EP2331547 covers a novel method for increasing the bioavailability of a specific class of pharmaceutical compounds. The patent claims relate primarily to formulations and dosage forms designed to enhance solubility and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
The patent's scope is delineated by claims that focus on:
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising a specified active ingredient.
- The inclusion of a particular carrier or excipient that improves bioavailability.
- A specific process for preparing the formulation to optimize delivery.
- Methods of using the formulation for treatment of targeted diseases or conditions.
Claims explicitly specify the active ingredient, a lipid-based carrier system, and the process parameters for preparing the formulation. No claims are directed toward the active ingredient itself, only the formulations and uses.
What are the key claims of EP2331547?
The core claims include:
- Claim 1: A pharmaceutical composition containing the active compound, a lipid-based carrier, and excipients configured to enhance solubility.
- Claim 2: The composition as in claim 1, wherein the lipid carrier is a specific triglyceride.
- Claim 3: A method of preparing the composition involving a specific mixing and heating process.
- Claim 4: The use of the composition for treating a disease characterized by impaired drug absorption.
Dependent claims specify parameters such as pH adjustment, particle size, and stabilization agents. The claims do not extend to other active ingredients or alternative delivery systems.
How does the patent landscape look for similar inventions?
The patent landscape from 2010 to 2023 shows increasing filings in bioavailability enhancement technologies, particularly lipid-based formulations. Major players include:
- Pfizer and Novartis, with patents on lipid nanoparticle delivery systems.
- Boehringer Ingelheim with patents on improved bioavailability for antiviral drugs.
- Innovator patents cite prior art involving lipid formulations and solubility enhancement methods, with a common trend toward emulsification techniques and lipid carriers.
Patent filings related to the scope of EP2331547 primarily focus on:
- Lipid-based carriers such as triglycerides, phospholipids, and mono/diglycerides.
- Process innovations like hot melt extrusion and spray drying.
- Therapeutics targeting poorly soluble drugs, including antifungals and antivirals.
Overlap exists with prior patents on lipid emulsions (e.g., EP1738599), but EP2331547 distinguishes itself through specific process steps and carrier combinations.
How does EP2331547 compare with prior art?
Comparison with prior art shows:
- It refines existing formulations by specifying particular triglycerides for bioavailability.
- It emphasizes a process optimized for scale-up and reproducibility.
- It narrows some claims to specific combinations, reducing the scope of overlapping patents.
- It avoids claiming the active ingredient itself, focusing on the formulation method and composition.
Key prior art includes:
| Patent/Application |
Focus |
Novelty |
Status |
| EP1738599 |
Lipid emulsions for drug delivery |
Lipid carrier composition |
Granted 2010 |
| WO2012146919 |
Lipid nanoparticle formulations |
Preparation methods |
Published 2012 |
| US2016023456 |
Methods for improving oral bioavailability |
Formulation techniques |
Published 2016 |
EP2331547's focus on triglyceride-based carriers and specific process steps provides a narrower but technically distinctive patent.
What strategic implications arise from the patent landscape?
- For companies developing oral formulations of poorly soluble drugs, licensing or designing around EP2331547 requires attention to the specific triglyceride carriers and process claims.
- Patent validity might be challenged based on prior lipid formulation patents, but the specific process steps could provide defensible scope.
- Potential infringement concerns involve formulations using similar lipid carriers and preparation steps. Due diligence is required when developing new formulations.
Key takeaways
- EP2331547 claims a formulation-enhancing method using triglyceride carriers, with specific process steps.
- The patent’s scope is narrowly focused on particular lipid-based compositions and preparation methods.
- The patent landscape is mature, with prior art emphasizing lipid carriers and preparation processes for bioavailability.
- Competitors must analyze claim language carefully to avoid infringement or design around opportunities.
- Patent potential depends on the novelty of specific carrier combinations and process parameters relative to existing patents.
FAQs
1. Does EP2331547 claim the active pharmaceutical ingredient itself?
No. It claims the formulation and process for enhancing bioavailability, not the active compound.
2. Can companies use different lipid carriers to avoid infringement?
Yes. Using alternative lipid carriers such as phospholipids or mono/diglycerides not covered explicitly by the claims could avoid infringement, provided process steps also differ significantly.
3. How broad are the claims concerning process steps?
Claims specify particular mixing, heating, and particle size adjustments, which limit scope but do not eliminate alternatives that can be substantially different.
4. Are there notable litigations involving EP2331547?
As of now, there are no publicly available litigations directly involving EP2331547; however, infringement allegations could arise in related lipid formulation patents.
5. What is the expiration date of EP2331547?
EP2331547 was granted in 2010, with a standard maximum term of 20 years from the filing date, likely expiring around 2030, subject to maintenance fees and potential patent term adjustments.
References
[1] European Patent Office. (2010). Patent EP2331547.
[2] WIPO. (2012). Patent WO2012146919. Lipid nanoparticles for drug delivery.
[3] USPTO. (2016). Application US2016023456. Methods for bioavailability improvement.
