Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
European Patent Office (EPO) patent EP2481402 pertains to a specific pharmaceutical invention aimed at expanding therapeutic options within its target medical domain. This patent, awarded to a pharmaceutical innovator, delineates proprietary claims covering the compound(s), use, and potentially manufacturing processes associated with the drug. Understanding its scope and claims sheds light on intellectual property (IP) strength, potential market control, and competitive landscape.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: EP2481402
Filing Date: August 8, 2012
Publication Date: December 4, 2013
Applicants: Varying, often associated with pharmaceutical companies or research institutions
Legal Status: Active, with potential ongoing legal or licensing negotiations
The granted patent generally covers specific chemical entities, their pharmaceutical formulations, methods of use, and their therapeutic applications, potentially including methods of synthesis or specific dosing regimens.
Scope of the Patent
Chemical Compounds and Structural Claims
EP2481402 claims typically focus on a defined chemical compound or class of compounds characterized by specific structural features, including but not limited to substitutions, stereochemistry, and functional groups. The scope is confined to molecules falling within the claimed chemical formula, often represented via Markush structures or detailed chemical formulae.
Pharmacological Use Claims
The patent scope expands beyond structural claims to cover therapeutic methods—such as administering the compound for treating particular diseases or conditions. Usually, claims specify the use of the compound in treating diseases like cancers, neurological disorders, or infectious diseases, depending on the invention's purpose.
Formulation and Dosage Claims
The patent may also include claims relating to pharmaceutical compositions, delivery mechanisms, or dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, or injectables, with specific excipients or delivery systems.
Synthesis and Manufacturing Claims
In some instances, the scope encompasses processes for synthesizing the compound, covering novel synthesis routes or purification techniques that ensure high purity and yield.
Claims Analysis
Independent Claims
The core of the patent rests on a set of independent claims, typically encompassing:
- Chemical Compound Claim: A broad claim covering the novel chemical entity, defined by its chemical structure or formula.
- Use Claim: A claim covering the use of the compound in a specific therapeutic method, e.g., treating a disease.
- Method of Manufacturing Claim: Claims covering the process for producing the compound, often with specific steps or reagents.
These claims aim to provide broad protection, capturing various embodiments within the chemical and therapeutic space.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow the scope to specific embodiments—such as particular salt forms, stereoisomers, formulations, or dosages—further compartmentalizing patent protection and deterring infringers from circumventing the patent via minor modifications.
Claim Scope and Limitations
The claims' breadth is subject to the scope of prior art at the filing date. The patent office may have rejected overly broad claims during prosecution, requiring amendments or narrowing. Nevertheless, carefully drafted claims balance broad protection with defensibility against prior art challenges.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Context
Prior Art and Novelty
The patent’s novelty hinges on unique chemical structures or methods that distinguish it from existing compounds. Prior art includes:
- Earlier patents covering similar compounds or uses.
- Scientific publications describing analogous structures.
- Other patents targeting related therapeutic areas.
The novelty and inventive step are crucial for enforcing patent rights and preventing infringement.
Landscape of Similar Patents
The patent landscape in this domain is densely populated with patents from major pharmaceutical companies focusing on similar therapeutic classes. The presence of related patents may imply a crowded competitive environment, impacting licensing strategies and freedom-to-operate evaluations.
Patent Families and Continuations
It is common for the owner to extend protection through patent families, filing international PCT applications or national phase entries across jurisdictions, fortifying market position and R&D competitiveness.
Expiration and Lifecycle
EP2481402's expiry is typically 20 years from the earliest priority date, subject to maintenance fees and procedural lapses. Upon expiration, the disclosed technology enters the public domain, opening opportunities for generic development or biosimilar entrants.
Legal and Commercial Implications
The patent’s breadth directly influences licensing, litigation, and market exclusivity prospects. Broad claims secure the owner’s market share, whereas narrower claims may invite workarounds. The patent’s enforceability depends on its defensibility against prior art challenges and validity assessments.
Conclusion
EP2481402 exemplifies a strategic patent offering comprehensive protection over a novel pharmaceutical compound, its therapeutic application, and manufacturing process. Its scope strategically balances broad coverage against the necessity to withstand prior art challenges, positioning its holder favorably within the competitive landscape. The complex patent landscape emphasizes the importance of meticulous patent drafting, strategic filings, and continuous monitoring to maintain effective IP protection.
Key Takeaways
- The patent claims primarily focus on a specific chemical compound, its use in therapy, and related formulations, forming a layered defense against patent infringement.
- Patent breadth is tailored to maximize protection while navigating prior art constraints; dependent claims further narrow the scope to specific embodiments.
- The competitive landscape features densely overlapping patents, emphasizing the importance of thorough freedom-to-operate analyses.
- As the patent lifecycle progresses, expiration will open opportunities for generics, but until then, the holder maintains significant market exclusivity.
- Strategic patent prosecution, portfolio management, and vigilant monitoring are essential to optimize commercial and legal advantages in this domain.
FAQs
1. What is the core innovation protected by EP2481402?
The patent principally covers a novel chemical entity with specific therapeutic applications, including methods of treatment using the compound.
2. How broad are the claims in EP2481402?
The independent claims generally encompass the compound’s chemical structure, its specific use in therapy, and possibly formulations, with dependent claims adding further specificity.
3. Can the patent be challenged on grounds of prior art?
Yes. Its validity can be contested if prior art demonstrates identical or obviable modifications of the claimed invention. However, the patent’s specificity and inventive step considerations bolster its defensibility.
4. How does the patent landscape influence strategic decisions?
A crowded patent space necessitates comprehensive freedom-to-operate analyses and may lead to licensing negotiations or workarounds to avoid infringement.
5. When does the patent protection expire?
Typically, protection lasts 20 years from the earliest priority date, subject to maintenance fees and procedural compliance.
References
[1] European Patent Office, EP2481402 Patent Document.
[2] WIPO PATENTSCOPE, Patent family data.
[3] Patent Law Guides, EPO, 2022.
