Last updated: February 20, 2026
What is the scope of patent EP3811930?
European Patent EP3811930, granted on August 18, 2021, mainly covers a specific class of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), focusing on the structure and pharmaceutical use of novel compounds. Its claims define the scope as:
- Novel heteroaryl compounds with specific substitution patterns.
- Pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds.
- Use of compounds for treating diseases related to tyrosine kinase activity, especially cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), and other tyrosine kinase-driven malignancies.
Claims Breakdown
The patent includes 15 claims, with core claims generally encompassing:
- Claim 1: A heteroaryl compound of a specified chemical structure, with certain substituents, designed to inhibit kinase activity.
- Claims 2-5: Specific embodiments of Claim 1, defining particular substituents and stereochemistry.
- Claims 6-8: Pharmaceutical compositions containing the claimed compounds, including formulations with excipients.
- Claims 9-12: Methods of manufacturing the compounds.
- Claims 13-15: Therapeutic use claims targeting cancer or other kinase-related diseases.
The claims emphasize a chemical structure relevant to multiple kinase inhibition, with broad optional substituents to cover various derivatives within the scope.
What is the patent landscape for similar kinase inhibitors?
Major Patent Families and Competitors
Multiple patent families cover compounds similar to EP3811930. Leading players include:
- Roche: Patents covering specific BCR-ABL and other kinase inhibitors, with priority dating back to 2010.
- Novartis: Patent families on kinase inhibitors targeting ALK, ROS1, and others, with continuing improvements.
- Pfizer: Focus on multi-kinase inhibitors, including their palbociclib and similar compounds.
- Boehringer Ingelheim: Patents on selective kinase inhibitors with overlapping chemical structures.
Overlap with Known Commercial Drugs
EP3811930’s scope overlaps with marketed drugs like:
- Regorafenib (Stivarga): A multikinase inhibitor for colorectal cancer.
- Lenvatinib: A kinase inhibitor for thyroid cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Alectinib: An ALK inhibitor for NSCLC.
The patent aims to secure novel derivatives potentially patentable over these existing molecules.
Patent Filing Trends and Evolution
- Patent filings related to these compounds increased from 2010 to 2020, reflecting active R&D.
- The majority of patents focus on specific substitution patterns to avoid patent cliffs.
- The scope in EP3811930 includes broad heteroaryl structures to cover multiple derivatives, a common strategy among competitors.
Geographic Patent Strategy
- Filing activity not limited to Europe; equivalents filed in the US, Japan, and China.
- Patent families often feature corresponding applications, with priority dates spanning from 2018 to 2020, aligning with EP3811930’s priority date of April 25, 2019.
How does EP3811930 compare to prior art?
- Novelty: The combination of substitution patterns and particular heteroaryl groups claim to differ from prior arts, such as WO2016145701, which covers similar heteroaryl kinase inhibitors.
- Inventive step: Based on linker modifications and specific heterocycles not explicitly disclosed in prior art, the patent claims to establish inventive merit.
- Coverage: The broad claims encompass multiple derivatives, but narrower claims specify critical structural features.
Implications for R&D and patent strategy
- The patent provides robust coverage over a wide chemical space, making it a valuable asset in kinase inhibitor development.
- It acts as a potential blocking patent against competitors attempting similar derivatives.
- The patent's therapeutic use claims extend to multiple cancer types, broadening market opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- EP3811930 claims a class of heteroaryl kinase inhibitors with a broad scope covering chemical structures and therapeutic uses.
- The patent landscape reveals intense activity targeting similar kinase inhibitor classes, emphasizing the importance of maintaining patent novelty and filing strategies.
- Its scope overlaps with existing marketed drugs, indicating a strategic attempt to carve out novel derivatives for potential clinical application.
- Competitive patent filings in the same space suggest ongoing innovation, making patent monitoring essential.
FAQs
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What diseases does EP3811930 target?
It targets diseases involving tyrosine kinase activity, notably cancers such as NSCLC and GIST.
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How broad are the claims?
The claims cover a wide range of heteroaryl compounds with various substitutions, compositions, and therapeutic applications.
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Is the patent still enforceable?
Yes, it is granted and enforceable across Europe, with potential for extension through national patents.
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Does the patent cover all kinase inhibitors?
No, it specifically covers a subset based on the described heteroaryl structures.
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How does the patent landscape influence development?
It necessitates designing derivatives outside the scope or around claims to avoid infringement and secure freedom to operate.
References
[1] European Patent Office. (2021). Patent EP3811930.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2022). Patent landscape reports on kinase inhibitors.
[3] PatentScope. (2023). Patent family data on kinase inhibitors.
