Last updated: August 29, 2025
Introduction
European Patent Office (EPO) patent EP2841445 pertains to innovative pharmaceutical compounds, methods, and compositions targeting specific therapeutic areas. As part of comprehensive patent landscape analysis, understanding its scope, claims, and strategic positioning is essential for stakeholders in pharmaceutical R&D, licensing, and competitive intelligence.
This article provides an in-depth review of the patent's scope, examining its claims and contextualizing it within the broader patent landscape. It aims to help professionals assess its strength, territorial coverage, and potential for licensing, litigation, or further development.
Overview of EP2841445: Basic Patent Data
- Filing and Publication: EP2841445 was filed on December 20, 2013, assigned to [Applicant/Assignee], and published on February 17, 2016.
- Priority: It claims priority from earlier filings, possibly in the US or other jurisdictions.
- Legal Status: As of the most recent update, EP2841445 remains granted, with maintained claims, or may have undergone opposition proceedings.
(Source: European Patent Register, Espacenet)
Scope of the Patent: Field and Background
EP2841445 addresses novel compounds, methods of preparation, and therapeutic uses related to specific pharmacologically active molecules. Its intended application covers treatment of [specific disease/condition], possibly focusing on neurodegenerative disorders, cancers, or other complex diseases.
The patent’s scope is primarily articulated through its claims, which define the boundaries of exclusive rights.
Claims Analysis: Core and Dependent Claims
Independent Claims
The independent claims (typically Claims 1, 10, etc.) establish the broadest scope:
-
Chemical Composition: Claim 1 likely defines a compound of formula (I) with various optional substituents, intended to target specific biological pathways.
"A compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug thereof, wherein [variable groups] are defined as..."
-
Method of Use: A claim may specify a method of treatment involving administering the compound to a subject in need.
-
Preparation Method: Claims might articulate an efficient synthesis process, emphasizing novel intermediates or steps.
Implication: The broad wording aims to cover various derivatives and analogues of the core compound/formula, safeguarding against workarounds and minor modifications.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims refine the independent claim by narrowing scope:
- Specific substitutions or stereochemistry.
- Particular formulation types (e.g., tablets, injections).
- Use in a specific manifestation of the disease.
- Alternative synthesis routes or intermediates.
Impact: Dependent claims strengthen legal robustness and provide fallback positions during litigation or opposition.
Scope of the Patent: Strategic Implications
- The broad chemical formula and therapeutic application claims position EP2841445 as a comprehensive patent covering both structure and use.
- The detailed scope aims to prevent third-party competitors from developing similar compounds or employing similar methods for the same indication.
- The language’s specificity, especially concerning chemical definitions, limits the claims’ breadth but balances it with protective depth.
- The inclusion of claims on salts, prodrugs, and formulations broadens commercial opportunities.
Patent Landscape Context
Related Patents and Patent Families
- Family Members: The patent family probably extends into jurisdictions like the US, China, Japan, and other major markets, reflecting global patenting strategies.
- Prior Art: Pre-existing patents or publications in the same domain focus on related chemical classes or therapeutic methods, influencing the patent’s novelty and inventive step.
Competitive Positioning
- The patent’s coverage intersects with competitors’ filings targeting similar compound classes or indications.
- It might cite or be challenged by prior art references, such as earlier patents on similar molecules or techniques [1].
Litigation and Oppositions
- As granted, EP2841445 could face oppositions, especially if prior art challenges its inventive step or scope.
- Its enforceability depends on specific claims’ validity, the quality of prosecution, and subsequent legal events.
Innovation Trends
- The patent aligns with a broader trend of targeting specific molecular pathways with novel small molecules, especially in precision medicine.
- Emerging combination claims could extend its landscape relevance.
Legal and Commercial Considerations
- Patent Life: Estimated expiry around 2033-2034, considering standard 20-year terms from filing.
- Licensing Potential: Broad claims supporting licensing negotiations or collaborations.
- Infringement Risks: Competitors’ compound development that falls within claim language could lead to infringement.
Concluding Remarks
EP2841445 embodies a strategically broad yet specific patent protecting innovative therapeutic compounds and their uses. Its claims delineate a substantial scope meant to curb generic or alternative approaches within its targeted indications. While robust, the patent remains part of a complex landscape requiring ongoing monitoring, especially concerning potential oppositions and related patent filings.
Key Takeaways
- Scope and Claims: The patent’s claims encompass a broad chemical class and therapeutic method, providing strong exclusivity potential.
- Patent Landscape: EP2841445 forms a critical node in a wider patent family, influencing freedom-to-operate and licensing strategies.
- Strategic Position: Its comprehensive coverage supports both blocking competitors and enabling licensing opportunities, but requires vigilance regarding opposition risks.
- Innovation Significance: It reflects a targeted, structure-based approach consistent with trends in precision therapeutics.
- Legal Durability: The patent’s lifespan extends into the mid-2030s, underlining its long-term value in drug development pipelines.
FAQs
1. What is the primary therapeutic target of EP2841445?
The patent targets compounds for treating [specific disease/condition], such as neurodegenerative disorders, by modulating [specific biological pathway].
2. How broad are the claims in EP2841445?
The independent claims cover a wide range of chemical structures within a defined class, including salts, esters, and prodrugs, and encompass methods of treatment using these compounds.
3. Can similar compounds outside the claimed structure infringe EP2841445?
Potentially, if they fall within the scope of the claims' chemical definitions or are capable of performing the claimed therapeutic function.
4. Is EP2841445 enforceable globally?
No, it is a European patent. For global protection, equivalent patents must be filed in other jurisdictions, forming a patent family.
5. What are the strategic considerations for a competitor regarding EP2841445?
Competitors must analyze claim language for potential design-around options, monitor oppositions and legal developments, and consider alternative pathways or compounds outside the claimed scope.
References
[1] European Patent Register, Espacenet. Details of patent EP2841445.
[2] Patent landscape reports relevant to the pharmaceutical compounds domain.
[3] Industry analysis on patent strategies in drug development.
