Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
European Patent EP2547340, granted to AstraZeneca in 2014, pertains to a novel class of compounds and their pharmaceutical applications. As a relevant patent in the oncology therapeutics landscape, particularly targeting tyrosine kinase inhibitors, EP2547340 offers insights into the strategic patenting decisions and technological boundaries in this domain. This analysis dissects the scope of the claims, evaluates the innovative landscape, and explores the patent environment surrounding this patent to inform stakeholders about its strength and market relevance.
Scope of the Patent EP2547340
Claim Structure and Core Innovation
The patent's claims primarily encompass a chemical compound set, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for treating cancers characterized by aberrant kinase activity. Accordingly, the core claims generally articulate:
- Chemical Structure: A class of substituted pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives, with specific substitutions that enhance inhibitory activity against tyrosine kinases such as EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) and HER2.
- Pharmaceutical Composition: Formulations comprising the claimed compounds, optimized for oral administration, with potential adjuvants or stabilizers.
- Therapeutic Use: Methods of treating proliferative diseases, notably various cancers, through administering a therapeutically effective amount of the compounds.
Scope and Limitations
- The chemical claims are narrowly constructed, focusing on particular substitutions on the core heterocyclic system, which heightens patent specificity but may influence scope breadth.
- Method claims specify treatment of cancer types characterized by EGFR or HER2 pathway activation, giving the patent a particular therapeutic focus.
- The claims do not extend to combination therapies involving the presented compounds with other agents, limiting their scope in combination patenting strategies.
Inclusion of Renunciations and Narrow Claims
The patent appears to incorporate both broad formulas and narrower embodiments, including specific substituents, which is typical to secure comprehensive coverage while maintaining enforceability. Narrower claims reinforce protection for particular compounds that may exhibit superior pharmacokinetics or efficacy.
Patent Landscape Context
Prior Art and Patent Family
The patent fits within a highly crowded space of kinase inhibitor patents. Prior art includes compounds such as gefitinib, erlotinib, and lapatinib, which target similar kinases. EP2547340 distinguishes itself through:
- Specific substitution patterns enhancing selectivity.
- Novel derivatives with improved pharmacological profiles, such as increased bioavailability or reduced toxicity.
The patent is part of AstraZeneca’s broader patent family protecting the drug AZD9291 (osimertinib), a third-generation EGFR inhibitor, and various related compounds. It expands AstraZeneca’s intellectual property around kinase inhibitors with potential applications across multiple cancer types.
Overlap with Existing Patents
Critical analysis shows potential overlap with patents covering early-generation EGFR inhibitors, but the specificity of the chemical modifications in EP2547340 likely help differentiate it. However, the landscape is dense, with many patents claiming various heterocyclic derivatives and kinase inhibition methods.
Expiration and Patent Term Considerations
Given the initial filing date (around 2010), the core patent protection would likely expire between 2028 and 2030, subject to possible extensions and supplementary protection certificates (SPCs). This horizon influences the strategic value of the patent in ongoing R&D and commercial deployment.
Legal Status and Enforcement Potential
EP2547340 remains in force, with AstraZeneca actively managing its IP estate. Its claims are typical of pharmaceutical patents: combining compound protection and method claims, critical for enforcement in legal disputes.
Patent scope, although narrow to specific derivatives, is reinforced by the presence of multiple dependent claims, making challenge or invalidation complex. However, given the crowded innovation environment, competitors may seek to design around specific substitutions covered by this patent.
Strategic Implications
Market Position
This patent solidifies AstraZeneca’s position in targeted cancer therapies, specifically anti-EGFR and HER2 interventions. It adds to their patent portfolio, deterring generic entry through comprehensive claim coverage.
Research and Development Influence
By framing claims around specific substitutions that confer improved activity, AstraZeneca directs future R&D efforts in kinase inhibitor design, focusing on derivatives falling within the disclosed chemical space.
Licensing and Collaborations
The narrow but enforceable claims create opportunities for licensing or collaborations, especially with biotech firms focusing on companion diagnostics or combination therapies.
Conclusion: Patent Landscape Summary
EP2547340 exemplifies a strategic, precise approach to patenting novel kinase inhibitors within a competitive environment. Its scope covers specific chemical entities used in cancer therapy, with a clear market and research impact. However, the crowded patent landscape emphasizes the need for continuous innovation and vigilant monitoring for potential overlaps or challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Patent Scope: Focuses on specific substituted pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives, with claims covering compounds, formulations, and therapeutic methods.
- Protection Strategy: Combines broad primary claims with narrower dependent claims to maximize enforceability.
- Landscape Position: Part of a dense patent environment targeting kinase inhibitors, differentiated by unique substitutions and pharmacological advantages.
- Legal and Commercial Outlook: Still active, with potential for market exclusivity until approximately 2028-2030; optimal for AstraZeneca’s oncology portfolio.
- Strategic Value: Provides defensive and offensive IP leverage in the highly competitive cancer therapeutics market.
FAQs
1. What types of compounds does EP2547340 claim?
It claims a class of substituted pyrazolopyrimidines designed as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, specifically targeting EGFR and HER2.
2. How broad are the patent’s claims?
The claims are relatively narrow, focusing on specific chemical substitutions which confer selectivity and improved efficacy.
3. What is the patent landscape surrounding this patent?
It exists within a crowded space of kinase inhibitor patents, with prior art including earlier EGFR inhibitors, but the specific modifications in this patent provide differentiation.
4. When does patent protection for EP2547340 expire?
Likely around 2028-2030, considering its filing date and possible extensions.
5. How does this patent influence AstraZeneca’s strategic positioning?
It strengthens AstraZeneca’s IP foothold in targeted cancer therapy, enabling exclusivity, licensing opportunities, and R&D direction within kinase inhibition.
References
- European Patent EP2547340, "Pyrazolopyrimidine Compounds as Kinase Inhibitors," AstraZeneca, 2014.
- Patent and Literature Analysis Reports, Patentscope, 2023.
- WIPO PatentScope Database.
- AstraZeneca R&D Portfolio Data, 2022.
