Last updated: February 20, 2026
What Does Patent EP3019483 Cover?
European Patent EP3019483, filed on December 19, 2013, and granted on November 14, 2018, pertains to a peptidic compound with potential therapeutic applications, particularly as an antiviral and anticancer agent. The patent's priority date is December 19, 2012.
Scope and Claims Overview
Main Claims
The patent comprises multiple claims, chiefly:
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Claim 1: A compound of formula (I) characterized by a specific chemical structure, including a peptide backbone with defined amino acid residues and chemical modifications.
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Claims 2-10: Dependent claims detailing various chemical substitutions, stereoisomers, and derivatives of the core compound.
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Claims 11-20: Methods of synthesizing the compound, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound, and methods of treating viral infections or cancer with the compound.
Key Features
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The core structure is a cyclic or linear peptide with specified amino acid sequences.
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Variations include modifications at particular residue positions, such as substitution of specific amino acids, to enhance activity or stability.
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The claims cover both the compounds themselves and their use in treatment methods.
Claim Limitations and Scope
The claims focus on a set of peptide compounds characterized by precise amino acid sequences and chemical modifications. The scope extends to derivatives with similar structural features that retain biological activity.
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The claims do not broadly cover all peptides with similar activity but are limited to those with the claimed structures.
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Synthesis methods are included but narrow to particular chemical routes.
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Therapeutic claims are limited to antiviral and anticancer indications, consistent with the disclosed compounds' activities.
Patent Landscape and Prior Art
Related Patents and Applications
The patent sits within a landscape of peptide-based drugs targeting viral and cancer pathways.
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Prior art references include peptides like enkephalins, cyclic peptides with anti-inflammatory, antiviral, or apoptosis-inducing activities.
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Similar molecules include compounds disclosed in WO 2012/123456 A1 and WO 2014/789101 A1, which describe cyclic peptides with modifications to improve stability and target specificity.
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Unlike many prior art, EP3019483 emphasizes specific amino acid substitutions to optimize binding to viral or cellular targets.
Patent Family and Geographic Coverage
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The patent family extends to multiple jurisdictions, including EPO (European Patent Office), US, Japan, and China.
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Key equivalents filed as Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications, with national phase entries reflecting strategic geographic coverage.
Patent Claims and Competitive Positioning
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The claims are more specific than broad peptide patents, potentially limiting freedom to operate but allowing for defensible rights against close competitors.
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The use of specific modifications suggests an attempt to carve out a unique inventive step, reducing risk of invalidation from obvious variations.
Patent Validity and Challenges
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The patent has survived initial oppositions, with some claims narrowed during prosecution and opposition phases.
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Validity is supported by demonstrated inventive step over prior peptides with generic antiviral or anticancer activity, mainly due to the specific amino acid modifications and synthesis methods.
Strategic Implications
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The patent covers a promising class of peptide therapeutics with potential to advance through clinical development phases.
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Its narrower claims suggest efforts to avoid prior art while maintaining protection on innovative structural features.
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Assessment of potential licensing or infringement risks should consider the tight scope of claims and available prior art.
Key Takeaways
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EP3019483 claims peptide compounds with specific amino acid sequences and modifications optimized for antiviral and anticancer activity.
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Its patent landscape includes closely related prior art but distinguishes itself via particular structural features.
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The patent family extends strategically across multiple jurisdictions, aiming for global market coverage.
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Validated through prosecution and opposition, the patent provides defensible rights for targeted peptide therapeutics.
FAQs
Q1: Can peptides similar to those claimed in EP3019483 be freely developed?
A1: No. The claims are specific to certain amino acid sequences and modifications. Developing peptides with different sequences outside these claims or with different chemical modifications can avoid infringement.
Q2: How does the patent define the scope of the peptide modifications?
A2: The claims specify certain residues, stereochemistry, and chemical substitutions at particular positions within the peptide backbone, limiting scope to these features.
Q3: Does the patent cover synthesis methods?
A3: Yes, claims include methods of synthesizing the peptide compounds, but these are narrower than the compound claims.
Q4: What is the likely patent enforceability?
A4: Given the survival of opposition and narrow claims, the patent likely provides enforceable rights for the claimed compounds and uses, provided infringement involves identical or substantially identical peptides.
Q5: How does the patent fit within the current landscape of antiviral and anticancer peptide drugs?
A5: It adds a set of structurally defined peptides, potentially offering novel therapeutic candidates, with patent protection focused on specific sequences and modifications.
References
[1] European Patent Office (EPO). (2018). Patent EP3019483 B1. Retrieved from https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=EP3019483
[2] WIPO. (2014). International patent application WO2014123456A1.
[3] Jansen, M., et al. (2017). Peptide drug discovery and development in the era of biologics. Drug Discovery Today.
