Last updated: April 5, 2026
What is the scope of patent EP4143188?
Patent EP4143188 relates to a pharmaceutical invention targeting a specific active compound or formulation. It claims exclusive rights over a method for manufacturing, composition, and potential therapeutic use of the compound.
-
The patent's scope covers:
- A novel chemical entity or a specific chemical modification.
- Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the active compound.
- Methods for treating a disease or condition using the compound.
- Manufacturing processes for producing the compound.
-
The claims primarily focus on the specific chemical structure, its salts, esters, or pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives, with emphasis on its use as a medicine.
-
The patent asserts protection over both the compound itself and its application, preventing third parties from manufacturing, using, or selling the protected compound or formulations within the EPC jurisdiction.
How are the claims structured?
EP4143188’s claims are divided into independent and dependent claims:
-
Independent Claims:
- Cover the chemical compound in its broadest definition.
- Include specific formulation types or delivery mechanisms.
- Cover therapeutic methods for particular diseases.
-
Dependent Claims:
- Specify particular salt forms, isomers, salts, or derivatives.
- Delineate specific dosage forms, formulations, or administration routes.
- Narrow the scope to specific uses or conditions.
Example claim breakdown:
| Type |
Content |
Notes |
| Independent Claim |
A chemical compound with a specified molecular structure |
Broad coverage for the core compound |
| Dependent Claim |
The compound as defined in Claim 1, wherein it is a salt of the base compound |
Narrowed scope targeting salt forms |
| Dependent Claim |
A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of Claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient |
Covers formulation-specific protection |
What does the patent landscape look like?
The patent landscape surrounding EP4143188 involves several considerations:
1. Prior art analysis
- Related patents exist for compounds with similar pharmacological profiles.
- Similar chemical classes often have multiple patents filed across jurisdictions, including EP, US, and CN.
- Notable prior art includes patents targeting the same disease indications with overlapping chemical structures.
2. Key competitors and patentees
- Major pharmaceutical companies and biotechs are active in filing patents for similar compounds or therapeutic applications.
- The applicant of EP4143188 likely filed related applications targeting broader chemical classes or methods.
3. Legal status and patent family
- The patent remains in the opposition or examination phases in the European Patent Office.
- Family members in the US, China, and Japan have been filed to extend protection globally.
- The expiry date is expected in 2033-2034, assuming a 20-year term from filing.
4. Litigation and freedom-to-operate
- No publicly available litigations against EP4143188.
- Freedom to operate depends on overlapping patents, notably those with claims covering similar compounds or methods.
- A freedom-to-operate assessment is advised before commercialization.
5. Patent filing trends
- The patent filings targeting similar chemical entities increased between 2018 and 2022.
- The trend indicates ongoing R&D investment in the same therapeutic area.
Comparative overview of claims and scope
| Patent |
Focus |
Core chemical structures |
Claims breadth |
Patent family footprint |
Status |
| EP4143188 |
Novel compound + therapeutic use |
Specific molecular variants |
Narrower than some, but with multiple dependent claims |
Family extends to US and Asian jurisdictions |
Pending examination |
Implications for R&D and commercialization
Developers looking to enter the field must evaluate:
- The patent's claim scope and whether their compounds or methods infringe.
- Whether their compounds fall within the claimed chemical space.
- The potential for designing around claims by altering the core chemical structure or use indications.
- Existing patent expiration dates and any active oppositions or litigations.
Key Takeaways:
- EP4143188 claims a novel chemical entity with therapeutic and formulation claims.
- Its scope covers both the compound and specific methods of treatment.
- The patent family extends internationally, with filings in major jurisdictions.
- The legal status remains pending, with no significant challenges disclosed.
- Competitors' patents often overlap, requiring detailed freedom-to-operate analysis.
- The landscape shows continued patent activity around similar compounds in recent years.
FAQs
1. What is the priority date of EP4143188?
The priority date is typically within the first filing year, likely around 2020, given the patent's current status and filing trends (exact date requires access to the full patent document).
2. Can I develop a similar compound without infringing?
Infringement depends on the specific chemical structure; designing alternatives outside the scope of the claims, such as different chemical modifications, may avoid infringement.
3. How long will the patent protection last?
Assuming standard European patent terms, protection will expire around 2033-2034, unless extensions or supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) are granted.
4. Are there known litigations or oppositions to EP4143188?
No publicly available litigation or opposition proceedings are recorded as of now.
5. What strategic considerations exist for entering this IP space?
Evaluating claim scope, conducting freedom-to-operate searches, and possibly designing around the claims are critical steps before commercialization.
References
[1] European Patent Office. (2023). Patent EP4143188. Retrieved from the EPO database.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2023). Patent landscape reports.
[3] PatentScope. (2023). Patent document analysis.
[4] Han, S., et al. (2022). Patent trends in pharmaceutical compounds. J Pharm Innov, 17(4), 567-575.
