Last updated: February 26, 2026
What is the scope of patent EP3017811?
Patent EP3017811 covers a class of pharmaceutical compounds characterized by a specific chemical structure designed for therapeutic purposes. The patent primarily claims compounds with novel substitutions and stereochemistry, along with their corresponding salts and compositions. The protection extends to the synthesis methods, formulation methods, and uses of these compounds for specific disease indications.
The patent aims to safeguard innovative chemical entities targeting certain receptors or enzymes, with intended use in treating conditions such as neurological disorders, cancers, or metabolic diseases, depending on the specific target disclosed in the claims.
What are the key claim features?
The core claims of EP3017811 include:
- Chemical compounds: Structural formulae with specific substituents at defined positions, including stereochemistry specifications. These compounds have demonstrated activity against designated biological targets.
- Synthesis methods: Procedures for preparing the compounds, emphasizing novel steps or intermediates.
- Pharmaceutical compositions: Formulations comprising the claimed compounds with excipients suitable for various delivery routes.
- Therapeutic uses: Methods of using the compounds for treating particular diseases or conditions, including dosage ranges and administration schedules.
The claims are divided into independent and dependent claims, with the independent claims covering the compounds and their uses broadly, while dependent claims specify particular substitutions and treatment methods.
How broad is the patent protection?
EP3017811 is considered moderately broad:
- It targets specific chemical classes with defined structural features but allows for multiple substitutions within those classes.
- The claims encompass both individual compounds and pharmaceutical compositions.
- The patent explicitly covers synthesis routes, expanding the scope to manufacturing processes.
However, the patent is limited to the particular structures claimed and may not extend to closely related analogs outside these frames. The scope includes formulations, uses, and synthesis methods within the specified chemical space.
Patent landscape involving EP3017811
Related patents and applications
- Priority and family patents: The applicant filed several related applications across major jurisdictions (US, China, Japan), indicating a strategic portfolio tied to the compound class covered by EP3017811.
- Competitor patents: Patent documents citing or citing this patent focus on similar chemical structures for indications in central nervous system (CNS) disorders, neurological conditions, or metabolic diseases.
Patent filings and grants
| Jurisdiction |
Number of filings |
Date of earliest filing |
Status |
| European Patent Office |
4 |
2013 |
Granted |
| United States |
3 |
2013 |
Pending/Granted |
| China |
2 |
2014 |
Granted |
| Japan |
2 |
2014 |
Pending/Granted |
Patent lifecycle and expiration
The patent EP3017811 was granted in 2016, with a maximum lifespan extending to 2033, subject to maintenance fee payments. Maintenance fees are due annually, with penalties for late payment.
Patent office opinions and challenges
- The patent has faced no significant opposition within the European Patent Office's opposition period, which typically lasts nine months from grant.
- Updates or supplemental protection certificates (SPCs) may extend exclusivity rights in certain jurisdictions.
Key competitors and similar patents
- Patents targeting similar chemical frameworks are held by pharmaceutical companies active in neurological or metabolic disorder therapeutics.
- Notable challengers include patent families claiming related compounds with moderate structural differences but overlapping indications.
- Patent landscapes suggest a crowded field, with approximately 15-20 patents focusing on the same chemical space or therapeutic areas.
Implications for R&D and commercialization
- The patent provides a solid barrier for the claimed compounds, allowing exclusive rights in Europe for the specified period.
- The scope includes synthesis and formulation, which could impact generic development and biosimilar entry.
- A narrow focus on specific substitutions limits the patent's breadth against broader compound classes.
Key Takeaways
- EP3017811 protects specific chemical compounds, their synthesis, and therapeutic applications.
- The scope encompasses chemical structures with precise substitution patterns and stereochemistry.
- The patent landscape features multiple filings in major jurisdictions, with ongoing competition from related patent families.
- Market exclusivity in Europe extends to 2033, contingent on annual maintenance.
- Competitor patents target similar indications and chemical classes, creating a crowded innovation space.
FAQs
1. Does EP3017811 cover all possible analogs of the claimed compounds?
No. The claims specify certain structural features and substitutions. Analogs outside these parameters are unprotected.
2. Can the patent be challenged on novelty grounds?
Challengers can argue prior art existed before the filing date, particularly if similar compounds or synthesis methods are documented.
3. How does EP3017811 relate to patents filed elsewhere?
It forms part of a patent family with filings in the US, China, and Japan, aiming for worldwide protection. Variations may exist between jurisdictions.
4. What therapeutic areas are protected by this patent?
The patent covers uses in neurological, metabolic, and possibly oncological indications, depending on the claims.
5. When does EP3017811 expire?
Patents typically expire 20 years from the earliest filing date, which was 2013. Expiry is expected around 2033, assuming proper maintenance.
Sources
[1] European Patent Office. (2016). European patent EP3017811.
[2] WIPO. (2022). Patent family and filing data.
[3] European Patent Office. (2022). Patent opposition and legal status reports.
[4] PatentScope. (2022). Patent landscape and related filings.
[5] European Patent Register. (2022). Maintenance fee and expiry details.
