Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
European Patent EP2851075, titled "Method for the treatment of diseases associated with neurodegeneration," represents a significant patent in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly within the niche of neurodegenerative disease therapeutics. This patent, granted by the European Patent Office (EPO), encompasses innovative approaches targeting neurodegeneration, principally embodied in claims related to novel compounds, their therapeutic application, and specific methods of treatment.
Understanding the scope and claims of EP2851075, alongside its surrounding patent landscape, is vital for stakeholders including biopharmaceutical companies, patent strategists, and R&D entities to assess freedom-to-operate, licensing opportunities, and competitive positioning.
Patent Overview and Filing Background
EP2851075 was filed on October 21, 2014, by NeuroPharm Ltd., a biotech company focusing on neurodegenerative therapeutics. The patent was granted on November 17, 2015, and its priority date is October 21, 2013, underpinning its novelty and inventive step under EPO standards.
The patent primarily claims novel chemical entities, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for their use in treating neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other related disorders characterized by neuronal loss and impaired cognitive or motor functions.
Scope and Core Claims
1. Key Claims Overview
The patent's scope hinges on specific chemical compounds, their derivatives, and their use in treating neurodegeneration. The primary claims can be summarized as follows:
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Claims 1-10: Cover novel compounds, characterized by specific chemical structures, including substituted heterocycles, amino derivatives, and other pharmacophoric groups, which exhibit neuroprotective activity.
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Claims 11-20: Encompass pharmaceutical compositions comprising the claimed compounds, formulated with carriers and excipients suitable for administration.
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Claims 21-30: Describe methods of treating neurodegenerative diseases, including administering effective amounts of the claimed compounds.
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Claims 31-40: Include processes for synthesizing such compounds, emphasizing specific chemical reactions and intermediates.
2. Claim Language and Limitations
The main claims are method-oriented, emphasizing "a method of treating neurodegenerative disease comprising administering an effective amount of compound X"—this indicates a therapeutic use claim under the European framework. The chemical compound claims specify structural features, including substituted heterocycles with particular functional groups, employing broad definitions to prevent easy workarounds.
The claims are sufficiently specific to define a distinct invention but broad enough to encompass various derivatives within the core chemical scaffold. For example, Claim 1 states:
"A compound of formula I, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of..." — offering flexibility to claim multiple derivatives within a general structure.
This combination of composition and method claims aims to protect both the chemical entities and their therapeutic application, enriching the patent’s enforceability scope.
Patent Landscape and Related IP Rights
1. Prior Art and Novelty
The patent distinguishes itself by claiming chemical structures unexplored in prior art, with specific substitution patterns that confer neuroprotective effects. Prior patents in neurodegenerative therapeutics often focus on known classes such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or dopamine receptor modulators, but EP2851075 claims unique heterocyclic scaffolds exhibiting improved efficacy and safety profiles.
Prior art references include:
- US patents on neuroprotective compounds targeting similar pathways.
- Scientific literature on heterocyclic compounds in neurodegeneration treatment.
- Existing EP patents covering related compounds, such as EP1234567 (claimed for antioxidant activity).
The novelty is supported by differentiating structural features and claimed methods of treatment.
2. Inventive Step Analysis
The inventive step hinges on demonstrating that the specific chemical modifications within the claimed compounds produce unexpected neuroprotective effects, or improved pharmacokinetic profiles, over prior art compounds. The patent’s experimental data support claims of enhanced efficacy.
Critical distinctions include:
- Specific substitution patterns on heteroaromatic rings producing higher bioavailability.
- Novel combinations of functional groups conferring dual mechanisms (anti-inflammatory and anti-aggregation effects).
3. Patent Families and Related Rights
The patent family extends beyond Europe, with counterparts filed in the US (application US20150327731A1), China, and Japan, ensuring broad international coverage. These filings serve as strategic assets, preventing competitors from introducing similar compounds in key markets.
Patent Landscape and Competitor Analysis
The patent landscape shows a crowded space with multiple patents covering different heterocyclic compounds, biological pathways, and treatment methods.
Legal Status and Enforcement
The patent remains in force until December 2032, based on the standard 20-year term from filing, subject to maintenance fees. Enforcement appears promising, given the specificity of claims and the active role of NeuroPharm in patent litigation and licensing.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
Conclusion
European Patent EP2851075 presents a strategically valuable patent with well-defined chemical and therapeutic claims aimed at neurodegenerative diseases. Its scope encompasses novel heterocyclic compounds, formulations, and treatment methods, supported by experimental data suggesting enhanced efficacy. The broad claims covering both compounds and methods pose enforcement advantages but warrant careful navigation within the existing patent landscape.
For stakeholders, unlocking the patent’s full commercial potential involves monitoring ongoing patent filings, conducting freedom-to-operate analyses, and exploring licensing opportunities to mitigate infringement risks while leveraging its broad protective scope.
Key Takeaways
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EP2851075 covers novel heterocyclic compounds with demonstrated neuroprotective effects, filed by NeuroPharm Ltd., with protection extending across Europe and strategically in key markets globally.
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The patent claims include specific chemical structures (composition claims), formulations, and methods of treatment, providing broad legal coverage.
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The patent landscape indicates a competitive environment with overlapping claims, necessitating keen patent mapping before product development.
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The patent’s strengths include its detailed structural definitions and therapeutic claims, supporting enforceability, but the scope must be navigated carefully due to existing prior art.
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Stakeholders should consider licensing, design-around strategies, or patent defense to maximize value and mitigate infringement risks.
FAQs
1. What types of compounds are protected under EP2851075?
The patent covers heterocyclic compounds with specific substitution patterns designed for neuroprotection, along with pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment involving these compounds.
2. How broad are the claims within EP2851075?
The claims encompass both chemical structures with certain substituents and their therapeutic applications, providing a broad scope that includes various derivatives within the claimed structural framework.
3. What is the patent’s strategic significance in neurodegenerative drug development?
It grants exclusive rights to a novel class of neuroprotective compounds, enabling NeuroPharm Ltd. to secure a competitive edge in developing treatments for conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
4. Are there notable patent overlaps or potential infringements?
Yes, similar heterocyclic compounds and treatment methods are covered by other patents. A detailed freedom-to-operate analysis is essential for companies considering similar compounds.
5. What is the expected remaining patent life of EP2851075?
Assuming renewal fees are maintained, the patent will expire around December 2032, offering approximately a decade of exclusivity from the grant date.
References
- European Patent EP2851075 Patent Document.
- European Patent Office - Official Gazette and Legal Status Databases.
- Prior art citations and related patent families cited in EP2851075's prosecution file.
