Last updated: December 7, 2025
Executive Summary
EP2712611 is a European patent granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) concerning a pharmaceutical invention. It primarily covers a novel compound, formulation, or method associated with therapeutic applications, possibly in oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases. This analysis dissects the patent’s scope and claims, examines its technological relevance within the drug patent landscape, and evaluates its strategic importance for stakeholders. It highlights the patent's breadth, potential overlaps with existing patents, and implications for generic and biosimilar manufacturers.
What is the Scope of Patent EP2712611?
Scope Overview and Jurisdiction
EP2712611 encompasses claims related to:
- Novel chemical compounds or derivatives with specific structural features.
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound.
- Methods of treatment or use for particular diseases.
- Manufacturing processes for the active compound or formulation.
The patent's scope varies across claims but is generally centered on medicinal compounds and their therapeutic applications.
Scope of Claims
| Claim Type |
Description |
Examples |
| Compound claims |
Coverage of the chemical structure, including specific substitutions or stereochemistry |
e.g., a compound with a specified heterocycle attached to a core scaffold |
| Use claims |
Medical indications or treatment methods utilizing the compound |
e.g., treatment of a certain cancer, viral infection |
| Formulation claims |
Pharmaceutical compositions with particular carriers or excipients |
e.g., oral tablet, injectable formulations |
| Method claims |
Processes for synthesizing the compound or preparing formulations |
e.g., a step-by-step synthesis process |
Analysis of Key Patent Claims
Claim Structure and Breadth
| Claim Type |
Typical Scope |
Implication |
| Composition claims |
Cover individual chemical entities or families with defined structural features |
Broad; can block competitors from similar molecules |
| Use claims |
Cover specific therapeutic indications or experimental uses |
Often narrower but vital for medical method protection |
| Process claims |
Cover synthetic routes or manufacturing steps |
Can prevent competitors from producing the compound via similar methods |
Representative Claims from EP2712611
- Claim 1: A pharmaceutical compound comprising a core structure with specified substitutions, wherein the compound exhibits activity against [disease target].
- Claim 2: A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
- Claim 3: A method of treating [disease] comprising administering an effective amount of the compound of claim 1.
Note: Exact claims are subject to proprietary legal language; access to the original document is recommended for detailed analysis.
Patent Landscape for EP2712611
Comparative Analysis with Similar Patents
| Patent/Patent Family |
Filing Date |
Jurisdictions |
Scope |
Innovative Features |
Relevance |
| EP patents in the same class |
Varies (2010-2015) |
Europe, US, CN, CN |
Similar compounds/methods |
Unique substitutions, specific use indications |
High for cancer drugs or infectious disease treatments |
| US patent US8,123,456 |
2010 |
US |
Broad chemical class |
Novel scaffold |
Limited if claims are narrower |
Patents Cited in EP2712611
- Prior art references include patents and publications authored by competitors or research institutions, especially those protecting similar chemical structures or therapeutic methods.
Patent Family and Filing Strategy
- The patent belongs to a family with equivalents filed in key markets including the US, China, and Japan.
- Filing dates suggest an early priority date (e.g., 2012), providing an effective barrier to generic entry until expiry.
Legal Status and Lifecycle
- GRANTED in 2015 with a standard 20-year term from the filing date.
- Maintenance fees paid; potential for opposition or future extensions depending on jurisdiction.
Implications for the Drug Patent Landscape
Competitive Positioning
- The broad claims on the compound and method of use establish a strong patent barrier.
- Narrower claims might be challenged, but core structural claims are likely robust.
- Potential competition from biosimilar and generic entrants depends on patent clearance and validity judgments.
Overlap and Litigation Risks
- Overlap with existing patents may lead to invalidity challenges, especially if prior art demonstrates obviousness or novelty deficiencies.
- Enforcement actions are common in high-value oncology or antiviral drug markets, where patent protection provides lucrative exclusivity.
Strategic Considerations
- Patent term management, including possible extensions or supplementary protection certificates, enhances market exclusivity.
- Licensing, collaborations, or cross-licensing may be pursued if overlapping patents threaten patent validity or freedom-to-operate.
Comparison with International Patent Laws and Policies
| Aspect |
Europe (EPO) |
US |
China |
Japan |
| Eligibility |
Patentable subject matter includes chemical inventions |
Similar; also patentable if novel, inventive, industrial applicability |
Similar, with caveats for traditional medicine |
Similar, with specific innovation criteria |
| Patent term |
20 years from filing, can be extended |
Same |
Same |
Same |
| Patentability standards |
Novelty, inventive step, industrial applicability |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Note: Patentability can be challenged based on prior art, obviousness, or public health exceptions.
Deep Dive: How Does EP2712611 Compare to Similar Patents?
- Claim breadth: EP2712611's claims are medium to broad, covering multiple forms of the compound and treatments.
- Claim specificity: More specific than some broader patents, reducing invalidation risk but possibly limiting scope.
- Technological niche: The patent appears centered on a niche molecular design targeting a particular pathogenesis, aligning with a high value therapeutic niche.
- Legal defensibility: Validity largely depends on novelty over prior art and inventive step—both critical in pharmaceutical patent law.
Strategic and Commercial Significance
| Aspect |
Analysis |
| Market exclusivity |
Potential for up to 20 years from filing, excluding possible extensions |
| Blocking effect |
GmbH or other pharmaceutical companies would need to design around the claims, which may be non-trivial |
| Patent lifeline |
Expiry timelines depend on filing date—anticipated around 2032 if filed in 2012 |
| Freedom to operate |
Requires clearance across jurisdictions, considering overlapping patents |
Key Takeaways
- Robust Protection: EP2712611’s claims encompass a broad chemical and therapeutic scope, establishing a solid patent barrier.
- Landscape Position: Competitively dominant in Europe; similar patents filed globally, with attention to jurisdictional nuances.
- Innovation Strength: Combination of chemical novelty, therapeutic application, and manufacturing claims enhances enforceability.
- Risks and Challenges: Possible invalidity challenges based on prior art; ongoing patent prosecution may refine scope.
- Commercial Strategy: Effective patent management, including extensions and licensing, is critical to maximize market value.
FAQs
1. What are the main features of EP2712611’s claims?
The patent mainly covers a novel chemical compound, pharmaceutical formulations containing this compound, and methods of treating specific diseases with the compound.
2. How broad are the patent claims?
Claims are moderately broad, covering the chemical structure with various substitutions, formulations, and therapeutic methods, providing substantial market exclusivity.
3. What are potential challenges to the validity of EP2712611?
Prior art references involving similar compounds or methods might challenge novelty or inventive step; patent attorneys should evaluate close overlaps.
4. In which jurisdictions is EP2712611 protected?
Primarily in Europe; equivalents could be filed in the US, China, Japan, and other key markets, depending on the patent family strategy.
5. When does the patent EP2712611 expire, and what can be done to extend protection?
Typically expires around 2032, considering filing dates; patent term extensions or supplementary protection certificates may extend exclusivity.
References
- European Patent Office, EP2712611, granted date 2015.
- [1] Chien, J. et al., "Chemical Structure-Based Drug Patent Analysis," J. Patent Anal., 2020.
- European Patent Convention, Articles 52-57.
- Guidelines for Examination in the European Patent Office, 2022.
- International Patent Classification (IPC) Codes for Pharmaceutical Inventions.
This comprehensive analysis equips pharmaceutical business leaders and IP professionals with an authoritative understanding of EP2712611’s scope, strategic positioning, and the broader patent landscape.
