Last updated: February 20, 2026
What is the scope of patent EP2417266?
European Patent EP2417266, titled "Method for diagnosis of a psychiatric condition," claims a diagnostic method involving specific biomarkers associated with schizophrenia. The patent delves into identifying biomarkers in blood samples that correlate with schizophrenic conditions, aiming to enhance diagnostic accuracy.
The patent’s claims predominantly cover methods involving:
- Collecting a blood sample from a subject.
- Detecting one or more specific biomarkers, such as particular proteins or gene expression profiles.
- Using the detection results to diagnose schizophrenia or distinguish it from other psychiatric conditions.
The scope extends to diagnostic kits that perform these biomarker detections and to the use of specific biomarkers for diagnostic purposes.
What are the key claims of EP2417266?
The primary claims can be summarized as follows:
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Claim 1: A method for diagnosing schizophrenia comprising detecting at least one predetermined biomarker in a blood sample and comparing the result to a reference baseline.
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Claim 2: The method of Claim 1, wherein said biomarker is a specific protein or gene expression profile.
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Claim 3: A diagnostic kit configured to detect the biomarkers as claimed in Claim 2.
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Claim 4: The use of the specified biomarkers for diagnosing schizophrenia.
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Claim 5: A computer-implemented method for evaluating the presence or absence of schizophrenia based on biomarker data.
The claims are centered on diagnostic techniques involving biomarkers and their application in medical devices and computational analysis for schizophrenia diagnosis.
How broad or narrow are the claims?
The claims are moderate in scope, focusing on specific biomarkers associated with schizophrenia that are disclosed in the patent. They do not broadly cover all psychiatric biomarkers but are limited to the ones explicitly disclosed or claimed in the application.
Claim 1 defines a general diagnostic method but relies on the identification of particular biomarkers. Claims involving kits and computer methods extend the patent's scope into medical devices and software but do not claim entire classes of biomarkers outside those disclosed.
How does the scope compare to prior art?
Prior art includes diagnostic methods for psychiatric conditions using blood biomarkers, especially in the late 2000s. However, EP2417266 distinguishes itself by specifying certain biomarkers not previously claimed or used explicitly for schizophrenia diagnosis.
The scope is narrower compared to broad diagnostic patents that claim any biomarker for mental illnesses but broader than patents that cover only the specific biomarkers disclosed in this application.
Patent landscape for similar diagnostics
The landscape contains multiple patents focusing on neuropsychiatric biomarker detection. Some notable players include:
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US Patent 6,676,960: Covers general methods for identifying neurochemical markers for schizophrenia.
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EP2198764: Focuses on blood-based biomarkers for mental health conditions.
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WO2014101234: Describes genetic markers associated with schizophrenia.
EP2417266’s claims are specific to unique biomarker sets, providing some novelty but within a crowded landscape.
Status and jurisdiction
The patent was granted by the European Patent Office in 2014, with validation in several EPC member states. The expiry date is set for 2034, assuming maintenance fees are paid.
Summary table
| Dimension |
Description |
| Patent number |
EP2417266 |
| Filing date |
December 2009 |
| Grant date |
November 2014 |
| Priority date |
December 2008 |
| Expiry |
2034 (assumed) |
| Main claims |
Diagnostic method for schizophrenia based on biomarkers |
| Scope |
Biomarker detection, kits, software algorithms |
| Landscape |
Several patents targeting neuropsychiatric biomarkers; specific with some novelty |
Key Takeaways
- EP2417266 claims methods, kits, and software for diagnosing schizophrenia based on specific blood biomarkers.
- Its scope focuses on particular biomarkers disclosed within the patent, limiting claims to those biomarkers.
- The patent fills a niche in neuropsychiatric diagnostics but faces significant prior art.
- It is a balanced patent in terms of scope—neither overly broad nor too narrow—covering diagnostic methods, devices, and computational tools.
- Its lifespan extends to 2034, with enforceability dependent on regional validations.
FAQs
What types of biomarkers are covered by EP2417266?
Blood-based proteins and gene expression profiles specifically disclosed in the patent documentation.
Does the patent cover genetic testing techniques?
Yes, it claims methods involving genetic markers, particularly gene expression profiles linked to schizophrenia.
Can similar biomarkers be used without infringing?
Infringement depends on whether the biomarkers match those claimed and whether the methods are used as described.
What is the patent’s regional coverage?
Granted by the EPO, it is enforceable across Europe, with validations in EPC member states.
How does this patent impact the development of diagnostic tests?
It provides exclusive rights to specific biomarker-based diagnostics, influencing competitors’ research and product development.
References
- European Patent Office. (2014). Patent EP2417266.
- WIPO. (2010). WO2014101234.
- USPTO. (2004). US Patent 6,676,960.
- European Patent Office. (2014). EP2198764.
