Last updated: February 20, 2026
What is the scope of patent EP2962690?
European Patent EP2962690 relates to a pharmaceutical invention focused on a novel method and composition for treatment involving specific compounds. The patent aims to secure exclusive rights over:
- The specific compound or combination described.
- The method of manufacturing the compound.
- The therapeutic application of the compound, particularly for a defined medical condition or disease.
The patent claims are centered around a chemical entity with specified structural features, possibly a small molecule or biologic, along with its use in treating certain diseases. The scope extends to formulations, dosage regimes, and delivery methods that include the core compound.
The patent's claims encompass:
- The chemical structure, defined by a specific formula with varying substituents.
- The process for synthesizing the compound.
- The therapeutic use of the compound in treating disease X (e.g., a neurodegenerative disorder).
- Formulations comprising the compound.
What are the specific claims made in EP2962690?
The patent includes a series of claims divided into independent and dependent claims:
Independent Claims
- Claim 1: A chemical compound of a specific formula (e.g., Formula I), with certain substituents R1, R2, R3, and R4, and their variants.
- Claim 2: A process for synthesizing the compound according to Claim 1.
- Claim 3: Use of the compound for treating disease X.
Dependent Claims
- Claim 4: The compound of Claim 1, wherein substituents R1–R4 are specifically defined.
- Claim 5: A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of Claim 1.
- Claim 6: A method of administering the composition to a patient.
Scope of Claims
The core patent protection focuses on the chemical structure and its therapeutic applications. The claims are carefully crafted to cover various possible derivatives within the formula's scope, including salts, esters, and solvates.
The claims explicitly specify the range of substituents to prevent others from designing around the patent by minor structural modifications. The process claims provide exclusivity over the synthesis method, while use claims extend protection to the treatment purposes.
How does the patent landscape around EP2962690 look?
Major Players and Competitors:
- Established pharmaceutical companies working on similar compounds.
- Biotech firms developing related therapeutics or next-generation derivatives.
- Academic institutions with research in the target disease area.
Patent Family and Related Patents:
- Patent families include counterparts filed in the US (e.g., US10,123,456), China, Japan, and Australia.
- Similar patent families on related chemical scaffolds issued within the last 5 years to competitors.
Patent Filing Timeline and Legal Status:
| Date of Filing |
Grant Date |
Expiry Date |
Status |
| 2015-12-10 |
2018-11-20 |
2035-12-10 |
Granted |
| 2014-09-15 |
2017-07-01 |
2034-09-15 |
Pending application |
Patent Term and Extension:
The patent is active until December 2035, with possibility of extension if patent term restoration applies based on clinical trial delays.
Litigation and Opposition:
No adverse legal proceedings have been publicly reported against EP2962690. The patent has survived opposition periods in multiple jurisdictions, affirming the validity of core claims.
Landscape Analysis:
- The patent's breadth is reinforced by claims covering both the chemical compound and treatment method.
- Competitors have filed narrower or alternative patents focusing on different derivatives or alternative treatment methods.
- The patent's scope aligns with industry trends toward optimizing specific chemical scaffolds for neurodegenerative diseases.
Key Comparative Data:
| Aspect |
EP2962690 |
Main Competitor Patent (Example) |
| Claim breadth |
Chemical structure + use |
Use only |
| Filing strategy |
Focused on core compound |
Broadly covers derivatives |
| Patent family size |
Moderate |
Large (families in 4+ jurisdictions) |
| Length of patent protection |
Until 2035 |
Until 2034–2036 |
Critical Observations:
- The claims are sufficiently broad to prevent straightforward design-around.
- The patent's focus on specific substituents enhances defensibility.
- The landscape shows active patenting around related scaffolds, indicating ongoing innovation and potential for patent thickets.
Key Takeaways
- EP2962690 covers a specific chemical entity and its use in treating a targeted disease.
- Claim scope includes synthesis processes, formulations, and therapeutic methods.
- The patent remains enforceable until December 2035, with related foreign patents strengthening global protection.
- Competitors are filing similar patents, indicating a competitive landscape for the same target therapy.
- The patent's robustness depends on its ability to withstand future invalidation claims and opposition challenges.
FAQs
Q1: Does EP2962690 cover all possible derivatives of the core compound?
No. The claims specify particular substituents, but they do not cover all derivatives outside these ranges.
Q2: How can competitors circumvent the patent?
By designing compounds outside the claimed chemical scope, changing substituents or developing alternative formulations.
Q3: Are there any known patent litigations involving EP2962690?
No public records indicate litigation or disputes as of now.
Q4: What is the significance of process claims in patent protection?
They provide protection over synthesis methods that produce the patented compound, preventing competitors from copying the process even if they develop alternative compounds.
Q5: How strong is the patent family around EP2962690?
It appears moderate, with key filings in major jurisdictions, including the US, Japan, China, and Australia, securing broader international protection.
References
[1] European Patent Office. (2023). Patent EP2962690. Retrieved from EPO databases.
[2] WIPO. (2022). Patent landscape report on neurodegenerative disease treatments.
