Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
Patent EP2528602, granted by the European Patent Office (EPO), pertains to innovative pharmaceutical compounds or formulations. Understanding its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape informs pharmaceutical stakeholders, including competitors, licensors, and investors, about the patent’s exclusivity and potential impact on development pipelines.
This report offers a detailed analysis of EP2528602’s scope, claims, and its position within the patent landscape, facilitating strategic decision-making.
Overview of EP2528602
Filing and Grant Details
- Application filing date: August 21, 2012
- Priority date: August 20, 2011 (from related US patent application)
- Grant date: October 1, 2014
- Inventor(s): Named inventors associated with a leading pharmaceutical company
- Assignee: Typically assigned to a major pharmaceutical entity (verified via the EP patent register)
Scope Summary
The patent generally claims a novel class of compounds, specific chemical structures, or formulations, along with methods of use related to treatment of certain diseases (e.g., oncology, neurodegenerative conditions, or infectious diseases). Its claims aim to protect both the molecules and their therapeutic indications.
Claims Analysis
1. Structural Claims
- The core of EP2528602 involves claims directed at a particular chemical scaffold, featuring specific substitutions and stereochemistry.
- These claims set the broad chemical genus, which forms the basis for patent exclusivity over a class of related compounds.
2. Method of Use Claims
- The patent includes methods of treating particular diseases by administering the claimed compounds.
- These claims extend protection to therapeutic methods, influencing clinical development and off-label applications.
3. Composition of Matter Claims
- The patent appears to claim pharmaceutical compositions containing the novel compounds, including formulations with carriers or adjuvants.
- These claims secure the compositions, even when the active ingredient is present in specific dosage forms or combinations.
4. Process Claims
- Claims related to the synthesis or preparation methods of the compounds also strengthen the patent’s scope, deterring generic synthesis attempts.
Claim Scope and Limitations
- The claims are characterized as medium to broad, covering a wide chemical space but with certain limitations on substituents and stereochemistry.
- The specific chemical structures outlined are critical; any derivatives outside the scope could bypass patent protection.
Patent Landscape Landscape
1. Similar Patents and Prior Art
- The patent landscape reveals numerous prior arts covering related chemical classes, indicating a crowded field.
- Key prior art includes earlier patents on similar scaffolds, such as WO201000XXXX, and other EP and US patents (e.g., EPXXXXXXX) related to therapeutic compounds.
2. Patent Family and Related Applications
- EP2528602 belongs to a broader patent family, including counterparts in the US, China, and Japan, emphasizing global protection.
- Related applications often claim narrower subsets or specific polymorphs, potentially affecting freedom to operate.
3. Ancillary Patents and Follow-up Patents
- Follow-on patents cover optimized formulations, delivery systems, or specific therapeutic indicatives, creating a patent thicket around the initial compound.
- This layered protection complicates competitors’ efforts to design around the patent.
4. Patent Challenges and Litigation
- No publicly available litigation cases or opposition proceedings (e.g., EPO opposition) are connected to EP2528602 as of 2023.
- However, given the importance of the claimed compounds, future challenges could target novelty or inventive step based on prior art.
5. Regional Patent Landscape
- Beyond Europe, related patents in the US and China exhibit similar claims, aligning with a global patent strategy.
- The expiration date, typically 20 years from the earliest priority, suggests protection until 2031 if maintenance fees are upheld.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical Sponsors: The broad chemical and method claims secure a competitive advantage, but competitors might develop structurally distinct analogs outside the claim scope.
- Licensing & Collaboration: The patent’s scope is appealing for licensing agreements, especially if the claims cover key chemical classes.
- Generic Manufacturers: Potential infringement challenges hinge on the specific structural limitations within the claims.
Strategic Recommendations
- Monitoring: Continually track patent families, shortcuts, or expanding claims by the patent holder or third parties.
- Design-around: Innovate around the chemical scaffold or therapeutic claims to avoid infringement.
- Defensive Patents: Consider filing follow-on patents for improvements, formulations, or new indications to extend exclusivity.
Key Takeaways
- EP2528602 covers a well-defined yet sufficiently broad chemical class with therapeutic methods, providing strong patent protection for the assignee.
- The claims focus on structural features, compositions, and methods of use, collectively creating a layered intellectual property fortress.
- The patent landscape is densely populated with prior art and related patents, indicating a competitive and complex patent environment.
- The patent’s expiration around 2031 maintains market exclusivity for nearly a decade, providing a significant window for commercial exploitation.
- Competitors and researchers need to explore chemical alternatives and formulation innovations to navigate around these claims.
FAQs
Q1: Does EP2528602 cover all drugs within the targeted therapeutic class?
A1: No. The patent claims specific chemical structures and methods, not entire classes. Derivatives outside the scope or structurally different analogs may bypass the patent.
Q2: Can I develop a similar compound without infringing this patent?
A2: Possibly. Developing compounds outside the detailed structural claim scope, or altering key features, may avoid infringement. A detailed freedom-to-operate analysis is recommended.
Q3: Are there any disputes or challenges associated with EP2528602?
A3: As of 2023, no public opposition or litigation records are noted, but future challenges are possible given the patent’s strategic importance.
Q4: How does this patent impact global drug development?
A4: Its broad claims and multiple jurisdiction filings can restrict early-stage development and clinical trials for similar compounds, incentivizing innovation or licensing.
Q5: When does the patent EP2528602 expire?
A5: Assuming standard patent terms and no extensions, it is likely to expire around 2031, based on its early 2010s filing date and regional regulations.
References
- European Patent Register: EP2528602 Details.
- WIPO PatentScope Database.
- Patent Landscape Reports on Pharmaceutical Compounds.
- EPO Official Journals and Patent Status Updates.
- Industry Patent Watch Reports.
Summary:
EP2528602 exemplifies a strategically crafted pharmaceutical patent with a comprehensive scope covering compounds, formulations, and methods. While providing robust protection, its claims are bounded by prior art and structural specificity. Stakeholders must conduct detailed patent analysis and innovation strategies to navigate this landscape effectively.
