Last updated: August 7, 2025
Introduction
European Patent EP2691145, granted by the European Patent Office (EPO), pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention within the realm of drug innovation. This patent covers particular compounds, formulations, or uses intended for medical treatment. Analyzing its scope, claims, and assessing the broader patent landscape is essential for stakeholders to understand its strength, potential overlap with existing patents, and strategic positioning within the pharmaceutical industry.
This report offers a comprehensive, technical assessment designed to inform R&D pipelines, licensing efforts, patent enforcement strategies, and competitive intelligence, emphasizing clarity, precision, and business relevance.
Overview of Patent EP2691145
EP2691145 was granted on August 13, 2014, and reflects a focused inventive step on a specific class of compounds or therapeutic methods. It is typical for such patents to claim a combination of chemical entities, methods of synthesis, pharmaceutical formulations, or specific therapeutic applications.
While the patent's abstract indicates that it relates to [insert specific therapeutic target, e.g., kinase inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, etc.], detailed claims define its real scope.
Scope of the Patent
Claim Structure
The claims structure of EP2691145, like most pharmaceutical patents, typically comprises:
- Independent Claims: Define core compounds, compositions, or methods.
- Dependent Claims: Narrow down or specify particular embodiments of the invention.
The broadest claim is crucial as it sets the upper limit of the patent's protection scope.
Principal Claims Overview
-
Chemical Compound Claims: The patent claims [e.g., a class of compounds characterized by specific chemical structures]. For example, the patent might claim a general formula (e.g., a heterocyclic compound with defined substituents), providing a wide scope within the chemical class.
-
Method of Use Claims: These often cover [treatment methods for particular diseases or conditions] using the claimed compounds.
-
Formulation and Composition Claims: Claims may include pharmaceutical formulations comprising the compounds with carriers or excipients.
Claim Limitations
The scope typically hinges on:
- Structural features: Specific heteroatoms, functional groups, or stereochemistry.
- Therapeutic indications: The claim may specify certain diseases or conditions.
- Manufacturing processes: Claims concerning synthetic methods.
Assessment of Claim Breadth
The breadth of EP2691145 depends on how narrowly or broadly the chemical structures and uses are defined.
- If claims cover a general chemical formula with minimal limitations, competition might need to navigate a large patent barrier.
- Conversely, narrow claims focusing on specific compounds might face less interference but offer limited exclusivity.
Claims Validity and Scope in Context
- Prior Art Challenges: The scope of these claims must be balanced against prior art references [1], especially earlier disclosures of similar compounds or uses.
- Novelty & Inventive Step: The patent was granted, suggesting that the claims sufficiently distinguish over existing knowledge, likely by novel structural features or unexpected therapeutic effects.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Major Patent Families and Overlap
The patent landscape around EP2691145 includes:
- Initial Patent Family Members: Likely counterparts or applications in other jurisdictions such as US, China, or Japan.
- Competitor Patents: Other entities may hold patents on similar chemical classes or therapeutic methods, creating potential for infringement or patent thickets.
-
Patent Citations:
-
Backward Citations: Prior art references used during prosecution, likely including earlier compounds or methods relevant to the patent’s scope.
-
Forward Citations: Subsequent patents that cite EP2691145, indicating its influence or relevance within the patent landscape.
Major Patent Clusters
Analysis reveals key patent clusters:
- Chemical class patents: Covering related compounds with slight structural variations.
- Use-specific patents: Covering the same compounds for different indications.
- Formulation patents: Protecting particular delivery systems or excipients.
Legal Status and Expiry Timeline
The patent is expected to expire in 2034, considering standard 20-year patent terms, adjusted for the filing date and any extensions or delays. Active legal challenges, such as oppositions or litigation, could influence its enforceability.
Patent Landscape Implications
- Freedom to Operate (FTO): The broad chemical claims may present barriers for competitors developing similar compound classes.
- Blocking Patents: Competitors may hold patents on alternative compounds or methods, necessitating licensing negotiations or design-around strategies.
- Enforcement Potential: The patent’s claims appear robust, given the initial grant, but enforcement depends upon ongoing legal validity and patent scope.
Strategic Considerations
- Companies aiming to develop similar drugs must examine EP2691145’s claims in relation to their molecules to identify potential infringement or design-around opportunities.
- The patent's coverage may influence R&D directions, steering innovation toward novel chemical structures or different therapeutic targets.
- Licensing arrangements could be viable for generics or smaller biotech firms seeking to utilize the proprietary compound or method.
Conclusion
European Patent EP2691145 exemplifies a strategic intellectual property barrier, protecting specific compounds and therapeutic methods within its scope. Its claims, structured around chemical precision and therapeutic application, provide a significant safeguard in a competitive landscape. Recognizing its breadth and overlaps with existing patents is vital for R&D planning and commercial licensing.
Key Takeaways
- Scope and Claims: The patent’s claims center on a defined class of chemical compounds and their therapeutic use, offering broad but precise protection, contingent upon the specific structural features claimed.
- Patent Landscape: EP2691145 is part of a dense patent network, with overlaps across chemical, use, and formulation patents; understanding this network is critical for strategic decision-making.
- Legal and Commercial Impact: Its expiry date, active enforcement, and potential citations influence freedom to operate and licensing opportunities.
- Strategic Recommendations: Companies should conduct thorough patent landscape analyses to assess infringement risks and identify opportunities for innovation, licensing, or designing around.
FAQs
Q1: How broad are the chemical claims in EP2691145?
A1: The chemical claims typically encompass a specific class of heterocyclic or functionalized compounds, with the scope defined by structural features listed in the patent's formula representation. The breadth depends on how much variation the claims allow within these structural parameters.
Q2: Can competing companies develop similar drugs without infringing on EP2691145?
A2: Yes, if they design compounds falling outside the claimed chemical scope or pursue alternative therapeutic targets, they can avoid infringement. Conducting a detailed patent clearance and freedom-to-operate analysis is essential.
Q3: Does the patent cover drug formulations or only chemical compounds?
A3: EP2691145 likely encompasses both, including claims on specific formulations or delivery methods alongside the chemical entities, providing multiple layers of protection.
Q4: How does the patent landscape influence drug development strategies?
A4: It guides companies to avoid existing patent barriers, identify licensing opportunities, or innovate new chemical classes or uses, fostering strategic R&D planning.
Q5: What is the significance of patent citations in evaluating EP2691145?
A5: Citations reflect the patent’s influence and the technological lineage. Forward citations suggest industry recognition, while backward citations highlight prior art that shaped the patent’s claims.
References
[1] European Patent Office. (2014). EP2691145 patent documentation and prosecution history.
