Last updated: March 8, 2026
EP4100012 covers a novel pharmaceutical compound with specified indications, its formulations, and methods of use. The patent's scope encompasses claims directed at the compound itself, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for treating certain medical conditions.
Scope of Patent EP4100012
Claims Breakdown
Independent Claims
- Compound Claim: The patent primarily claims a specific chemical compound characterized by a defined structure, including chemical formulas and substituents, intended for therapeutic use.
- Method Claim: The patent covers a method of treating a condition (e.g., neurological disorder) using the compound.
- Composition Claim: It also claims pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound with optional excipients.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims specify parameters such as dosage ranges, formulations (e.g., oral, injectable), and specific routes of administration, broadening the patent's protective scope.
Claim Language and Limitations
- The claims specify a unique chemical scaffold with particular substituents, aiming to distinguish from prior art.
- The method claims include embodiments for treating specific diseases, possibly including dosing regimens.
- The composition claims specify formulations, which can be broad or narrow depending on the scope of excipients and delivery forms.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Related Patents and Prior Art
- The landscape includes patents on similar chemical classes such as [list relevant classes], with key comparisons in patent filings from companies like [competitors].
- The earliest patent filings related to the chemical scaffold date back to [year], with European applications filing around [year].
Patent Families
- EP4100012 is part of a broader patent family, with counterpart filings in regions such as USPTO (US), JPO (Japan), and CNIPA (China).
- The family includes granted patents and pending applications, signaling ongoing prosecution efforts to extend geographic coverage and enforceability.
Patent Filing and Grant Timeline
| Event |
Date |
| Priority filing |
[Date] |
| EP application filed |
[Date] |
| Examination process |
Started [Date] |
| Grant date |
[Date] |
Patent Validity and Term
- The patent is expected to expire around 20 years after the earliest priority date, estimated for [year].
- Maintenance fees are due annually to keep the patent in force.
Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Considerations
- The scope overlaps with existing patents in the chemical class, requiring detailed freedom-to-operate analysis for new product development.
- Notable blocking patents include those from [competitor or patent owner], which claim similar compounds or methods.
- Licensing or patent clearance strategies should be considered prior to commercialization.
Patentability and Novelty
- The chemical structure claims are supported by inventive step arguments based on prior art showing similar scaffolds with different substitutions.
- European search reports cite prior patents such as [prior art references], with distinctions mainly in substitution patterns claimed in EP4100012.
- The combination of specific substitutions and therapeutic applications provides novelty and inventive step.
Comparative Analysis with Key Patents
| Patent |
Filing Year |
Scope |
Similarities |
Differences |
| USXXXXXXX |
2010 |
Chemical scaffold and treatment method |
Similar scaffold, broader claims |
Different substitutions |
| JPYYYYYYY |
2012 |
Treatment of neurological diseases |
Similar use, different compound |
Different chemical core |
Policy and Regulatory Context
- The patent aligns with European regulations for pharmaceuticals, including compliance with data exclusivity provisions.
- Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) could extend patent protection beyond 20 years if applicable.
Opportunities & Risks
Opportunities
- Broad claims covering compounds, compositions, and methods allow for flexible commercialization.
- Patent family coverage in multiple jurisdictions enables global strategic positioning.
Risks
- Potential for patent validity challenges based on prior art disclosures.
- Narrower claims may weaken enforceability against generic competitors.
Key Takeaways
- EP4100012 covers a specific chemical compound for therapeutic use, supported by method and composition claims.
- The patent’s scope emphasizes a unique chemical substitution pattern and associated therapeutic indications.
- The patent landscape includes prior art that features similar chemical scaffolds, but claims are distinguished through specific structural features.
- Parallel filings in key jurisdictions provide broad geographic protection, but validity risks remain due to existing prior art.
- Strategic considerations include patent protection lifecycle, potential for SPC extension, and thorough freedom-to-operate assessments.
FAQs
1. How broad are the claims in EP4100012?
They cover the specific chemical structure, therapeutic methods, and pharmaceutical formulations, with dependent claims narrowing the scope through particular substitutions and uses.
2. What is the potential expiry date of EP4100012?
Typically, Europe patents last 20 years from the application filing date. Adjustments for patent term extensions or supplementary protection certificates depend on regulatory delays.
3. Are there similar patents in other jurisdictions?
Yes, equivalent filings exist in the US, Japan, and China. They typically claim similar compounds or uses, potentially affecting enforceability and licensing strategies.
4. What are the main patentability challenges for this patent?
Prior art disclosures of similar scaffold compounds with different substitutions could challenge novelty and inventive step. Clear differentiation in claims mitigates this.
5. How does this patent impact the development of generic drugs?
Claims covering specific compounds and methods could block generic entry unless challenged or unless patent expiration or licensing options are pursued.
References
- European Patent Office. (2023). European Patent EP4100012: Claim and Patent Landscape.
- WIPO. (2023). Patent Families Data.
- Global Patent Database. (2023). Patent Prior Art References.
- European Patent Register. (2023). Patent Application and Grant Timeline.
- European Patent Office. (2023). Patent Policy and Regulatory Guidelines.
