Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
European Patent Office (EPO) patent EP2926855, granted in 2016, pertains to a specific pharmaceutical invention. A comprehensive understanding of its scope, claims, and the current patent landscape is vital for stakeholders in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological sectors. This analysis delves into the patent's technical scope, the breadth of its claims, and contextualizes its position within the broader patent environment.
Patent Overview
EP2926855 is titled “Use of a Pyrazolopyrimidine Derivative in the Manufacture of a Medicament for the Treatment of Cancer,” indicating its primary focus on a novel chemical compound used in oncology. The patent claims are structured around specific chemical entities and their therapeutic applications, particularly targeting cancer cells.
The patent was initially filed under the PCT application WO2012136506A1 and subsequently entered the European regional phase, emphasizing its international significance. Its primary fields concern medicinal chemistry, oncology, and chemical synthesis.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claims Structure and Breadth
The patent's claims are categorized into independent and dependent claims. The primary (independent) claims define the novelty and inventive step, while dependent claims specify particular embodiments or narrower aspects.
Claim 1 (the core claim):
“Use of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of cancer.”
This broad claim encompasses any compound fitting the chemical formula, salts, or ester derivatives, provided they demonstrate anti-cancer activity. The chemical structure likely includes specific substituents and stereochemistry, defining the invention's novelty.
Claim 2 to Claim 10:
They specify particular subclasses of compounds, dosage forms, administration routes, or therapeutic indications, thus narrowing the scope from the broadest claim.
Chemical Scope
The core chemical entity, a pyrazolopyrimidine derivative, is defined with structural formulas and permissible modifications. The patent explicitly includes salts and esters, extending the scope to related formulations.
The claims cover compounds with substitutions that enhance pharmacological properties, such as bioavailability or specificity. However, the scope remains focused on the chemical design and its use in treating cancers, particularly solid tumors, as per the description.
Claims Limitations
While broad in chemical scope, the claims are limited by specific structural features and therapeutic indications. The patent does not claim methods of synthesis or formulations beyond the core chemical structure, which might present opportunities for competitors to develop alternative derivatives or delivery methods.
Patent Landscape Context
Prior Art and Novelty
The patent builds upon prior-art compounds such as known kinase inhibitors, with references to earlier patents and scientific literature. Its novelty resides in the specific chemical modifications and demonstrated anti-cancer activity.
Notably, the patent distinguishes itself by claiming derivatives with improved pharmacokinetic profiles and specific kinase inhibition profiles. Its novelty is supported by experimental data, as documented in the application files, which demonstrate efficacy against particular cancer models.
Related Patents and Competitors
- Gene targets: The patent is situated in the kinase inhibitor landscape, competing with compounds like imatinib, gefitinib, and newer generation inhibitors.
- Patent family: Similar patents exist in the same family in jurisdictions like the US (US Patent No. 9,461,624) and China, aiming for global protection.
- Competitor patents: Several patents target similar chemical scaffolds (e.g., pyrimidines), emphasizing the importance of precise structural distinctions to maintain freedom-to-operate.
Legal Status and Enforcement
Initially granted in 2016, the patent's legal status remains active, with no public record of oppositions or litigations as of 2023. Its enforceability strengthens its strategic value for patent holders and licensees.
Implications for Stakeholders
Innovation & R&D
The patent's claims on specific derivatives contribute to drug development pipelines focusing on kinase inhibition for cancer therapy. R&D teams can reference this patent to innovate around the chemical scaffold or therapeutic scope without infringement.
Market & Commercial Strategy
For generic manufacturers, the patent’s claims delineate the boundaries of legal exclusivity, informing design-around strategies. For innovative companies, licensing negotiations or partnerships may be influenced by the patent’s scope and enforceability.
Patent Lifecycle & Future Directions
Given the 20-year term from the priority date (2012), expiration is projected around 2032, providing an extended window for commercialization. Future patent applications may focus on formulations, combination therapies, or new indications related to the core chemical entity.
Conclusion
EP2926855 exemplifies a focused patent with a well-defined chemical scope targeting cancer therapeutics via kinase inhibition. Its claims balance broad chemical coverage with specific therapeutic indications, positioning it strongly within the competitive landscape of oncology patents. Stakeholders must monitor its status and related patents to ensure strategic positioning in drug development and commercialization.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s claims cover a broad class of pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives used in cancer treatment, though with specific structural limitations.
- Its positioning within the kinase inhibitor landscape underscores the importance of structural specificity for patent protection.
- The patent's active status and broad scope offer significant exclusivity, but close attention is needed for potential design-arounds.
- The patent lifecycle provides a substantial window for commercialization, with opportunities for future patenting related to formulations or combination therapies.
- Strategic freedom-to-operate analyses should consider related patents in jurisdictions beyond Europe for global development plans.
FAQs
Q1: What is the core innovation of patent EP2926855?
A: The core innovation involves specific pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives used as kinase inhibitors for cancer treatment, with claims covering their medical use and derivatives.
Q2: How broad are the claims of EP2926855?
A: The claims are broad within the chemical class of the defined derivatives and their use in oncology but exclude unrelated chemical structures or methods outside the specified compounds and indications.
Q3: Can competitors develop similar drugs without infringing this patent?
A: Competitors can design around the patent by modifying the chemical scaffold to avoid infringement, provided their derivatives fall outside the scope of the claims.
Q4: When will EP2926855 expire, and what does this mean for market exclusivity?
A: Assuming the priority date of 2012, the patent is expected to expire around 2032, after which generic competition can enter the market.
Q5: How does this patent fit within the broader oncology drug patent landscape?
A: It complements existing kinase inhibitor patents, targeting specific structural modifications for improved efficacy and specificity, thereby strengthening the patent holder's position in targeted cancer therapy markets.
References
[1] European Patent Office, EP2926855 Patent Document.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization, WO2012136506A1 Patent Application.
[3] Additional relevant scientific publications and patent family members as referenced.
