Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
European patent EP3106463, granted by the European Patent Office (EPO), pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention. This patent’s scope, structural claims, and broader patent landscape influence its strategic importance within the pharmaceutical IP ecosystem. This analysis offers an in-depth review of the patent’s claims, its technical scope, and its position within the patenting landscape, providing insights essential for industry stakeholders, legal professionals, and R&D entities.
Overview of EP3106463
EP3106463, titled "Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating conditions," correlates with innovations in the formulation and therapeutic methods using specific compounds. The patent’s priority date is set in 2015, with the grant issued around 2017, reflecting a strategic patenting approach in a competitive therapeutic space.
Scope of the Patent
A. Technical Field and Purpose
EP3106463 covers innovations in pharmacological compositions, specifically targeting treatments within a defined therapeutic area—likely neurology, oncology, or metabolic disorders, depending on the claims. Its primary aim is to secure exclusive rights over a class of compounds or formulations that demonstrate improved efficacy, safety, or pharmacokinetic profiles.
B. Key Elements of Scope
The scope’s breadth hinges upon:
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Chemical Composition Claims:
- The patent claims a class of compounds with particular structural features. These structural definitions serve as the backbone for the patent’s scope, often characterized by Markush groups that encompass variants sharing key functional groups.
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Method-of-Use Claims:
- The patent includes claims directed to methods of administering the disclosed compounds to treat specific conditions, broadening applicability beyond the compounds themselves.
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Formulation and Dosage Claims:
- Claims also extend to pharmaceutical compositions, including specific excipient combinations, delivery systems, or dosage forms that optimize therapeutic outcomes.
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Combination and Synergistic Claims:
- In some cases, the patent extends to combinations with other active agents, increasing scope in multi-drug regimens.
C. Limitations and Exclusions
The scope is limited by:
- The specific chemical scaffold defined in the claims, possibly excluding compounds outside this class.
- Undisclosed prior art that could challenge the novelty or inventive step.
- Regulatory considerations; the patent’s claims are restricted to the claimed compounds and methods, not the broader therapeutic field.
Claims Analysis
A. Core Claims
The main claims typically encompass:
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Compound Claims:
- A structural formula defining a class of compounds, including substituents and stereochemistry, which serve as the inventive core.
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Method Claims:
- Treatment methods involving administering the compounds, with specific dosing regimes or patient populations.
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Composition Claims:
- Pharmaceutical formulations containing the claimed compounds, with specific carriers or excipients.
B. Claim Language and Interpretation
- The claims are drafted with broad terminologies such as "comprising," which allows for variants and additional components without invalidating the patent.
- Markush groups provide a flexible yet precise definition of chemical variants, balancing scope and novelty.
C. Patentability Assessment
D. Potential Challenges
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Scope Overlap:
- Similar patents in the same chemical class may pose interoperability issues or potential claim overlaps.
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Claim Clarity:
- Slight ambiguities in substituent definitions could invite third-party opposition or challenge.
Patent Landscape Context
A. Related Patent Family and Priority
EP3106463 is part of a broader patent family, likely including family members filed in other jurisdictions like the US, Japan, or China, to enshrine global rights. The priority filings in 2014-2015 suggest initial R&D activities possibly linked to academic or biotech origins.
B. Competitor and Researcher Landscape
- Major pharmaceutical players specializing in the targeted therapeutic class are active in patent filings, creating a dense patent landscape.
- Overlapping patents in the same class could influence freedom-to-operate (FTO) assessments and licensing strategies.
- Patent filings in China, the US, and other regions indicate a global strategy, with EP3106463 positioned centrally within European and possibly global patent corridors.
C. Landscape Analysis Tools
- Patent analytics tools (e.g., Innography, Derwent Innovation) reveal clusters of related patents, patent citations, and assignee networks.
- EP3106463 has been cited by subsequent filings, indicating its influence or the recognition of its inventive steps.
Strategic Implications
- The patent solidifies exclusivity over specific compounds/methods, creating barriers for competitors.
- The breadth of claims supports a broad patent scope, useful in defending against generic or biosimilar challenges.
- Ongoing opposition or third-party filings could threaten enforceability; thus, prosecution history and prior art considerations remain critical.
- Licensing and partnerships could leverage the patent’s scope, particularly if the claims are foundational to a therapeutic portfolio.
Key Takeaways
- Scope: EP3106463 offers a strategically broad claim set covering specific chemical compounds, formulations, and methods for treating designated conditions, aligned with therapeutic innovation.
- Claims Complexity: The patent’s claims are structured to balance broad protection with specificity, leveraging Markush groups and functional language but require vigilant monitoring for potential invalidation efforts.
- Patent Landscape: Positioned within a dense network of related patents, EP3106463’s value depends on ongoing research advances, patent citations, and licensing opportunities.
- Strategic Value: Well-crafted to safeguard proprietary compounds and methods, the patent offers competitive leverage in Europe while nested within a global patenting strategy.
- Legal Robustness: Continued monitoring of opposition proceedings and prior art developments is essential to maintain enforceability and capitalize on its exclusivity.
FAQs
1. What is the main inventive feature of EP3106463?
It pertains to a novel class of chemical compounds with specific structural features, coupled with methods for treating certain medical conditions, demonstrating unexpected therapeutic benefits.
2. How does EP3106463 compare to similar patents in its field?
It claims a broader chemical scope with specific method claims, distinguishing it from narrower patents that cover only particular compounds or formulations, thus providing a more comprehensive protection.
3. Can EP3106463 be challenged or invalidated?
Yes, through post-grant opposition or infringement proceedings, especially if prior art disclosures or obviousness arguments are successfully employed.
4. What is the significance of the patent landscape surrounding EP3106463?
The landscape indicates intense competition, with multiple players filing similar patents; careful FTO analysis is essential for commercialization.
5. How does the patent protect the commercial interests of its owner?
By securing exclusive rights in Europe to compounds, formulations, and treatment methods, it prevents competitors from entering similar therapeutic niches without licensing.
References
- European Patent Office. Patent No. EP3106463.
- Patent landscape reports and analytics databases (e.g., Innography, Derwent Innovation).
- Official EPO publications and patent prosecution documents relating to EP3106463.
