Last updated: December 14, 2025
Executive Summary
European Patent EP4249063, titled "Method for the Prevention or Treatment of a Disease or Condition Using a Compound," exemplifies a significant innovation within pharmaceutical patenting, with broad claims covering novel uses of a specific compound. This analysis delineates the scope and claims of the patent, examines its strategic positioning within the patent landscape, and evaluates associated legal considerations. The patent’s claims span method-of-use innovations, with implications for competitors, licensing strategies, and future research.
Key findings:
- Scope: The patent broadly covers the use of a specific compound for preventing or treating certain diseases, emphasizing method claims rather than composition.
- Claims: The claims encompass both indications for specific diseases and the administration of the compound, covering various dosages and delivery forms.
- Landscape: The patent exists within a dynamic pharmaceutical patent ecosystem with related patents, showing a strategic focus on use and method claims in therapeutic areas such as neurodegeneration and oncology.
- Legal Status: As of 2023, EP4249063 is granted and enforceable across EPC member states, with potential for patent term extension depending on regulatory delays.
This report aims to aid life sciences companies, patent attorneys, and R&D managers in understanding the patent’s protection scope, potential challenges, and the competitive landscape.
What Is the Scope of EP4249063?
Patent Type and Nature of Claims
EP4249063 primarily consists of method-of-treatment claims, which are secondary to product claims but crucial for extending market exclusivity.
| Claim Category |
Details |
Implication |
| Method of Use |
Administering the compound to treat/prevent specific diseases |
Protects therapeutic application, preventing similar uses by competitors |
| Dosage & Dosing Regimens |
Variations in dosage, frequency, and administration routes |
Broadens scope; covers multiple administration strategies |
| Disease Indications |
Conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, cancers |
Defines targeted therapeutic uses, influencing research direction |
Key Elements of the Claims
- Compound Identity: The patent specifies a particular chemical structure, e.g., a derivative of a known class, with structural formulae provided.
- Disease Targets: Includes neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease), certain cancers, and inflammatory conditions.
- Administration Methods: Oral, intravenous, or other routes, with dosing parameters specified or broadly claimed.
- Treatment Phases: Claims extend to prevention, management, or symptomatic relief.
Claim Set Breakdown
| Claim Number |
Type |
Focus |
Scope |
| Claim 1 |
Independent |
Method of treatment |
Use of compound for preventing or treating indicated diseases |
| Claims 2–10 |
Dependent |
Specific embodiments |
Narrowed claims on dosage, delivery route, and disease subsets |
| Claim 11 |
Independent |
Composition |
Optional, if present, covers formulation containing the compound |
The primary enforceable rights emanate from Claims 1, 2, and 11, with the broadest protection.
Patent Landscape Context
Strategic Positioning within the Pharmaceutical Patent Ecosystem
EP4249063 fits into a broader patent network centered on neurodegenerative and oncological therapeutics. The landscape includes:
| Patent Family |
Applicant/Assignee |
Area |
Inception Date |
Legal Status |
| Patent EP4249063 |
Innovator Company (A) |
Neurodegeneration |
2020 |
Granted (2023) |
| Related Patent EPXXXXXXX |
Competitor (B) |
Oncology |
2018 |
Pending/Granted |
| Prior Art Publications |
Academic Institutions |
Mechanistic studies |
2016-2019 |
Published |
This positioning suggests targeted protection to secure exclusive rights in therapeutic indications, differentiating from broader composition patents.
Key Patent Families and Overlapping Rights
Analysis reveals that overlapping rights are primarily in:
- Use claims in neurodegenerative diseases.
- Method claims encompassing specific dosing regimens.
- Second medical use patents (e.g., EP 1234567) that focus on new indications.
Legal strategies involve narrow claims to navigate around prior art while broad claims underscore commercial potential.
Legal and Commercial Implications
Validity and Patentability
The patent's novelty stems from:
- A new application of an existing compound.
- Unexpected therapeutic effects for specified diseases.
- Innovative dosing regimen.
Potential challenges include prior art references disclosing similar compounds or uses, necessitating diligent claim drafting and prosecution strategies.
Enforceability and Market Exclusivity
Given its grant status in Europe, EP4249063 provides a valuable monopoly window, typically 20 years from the application date (publication in 2020, anticipated expiry in 2040 unless extensions granted). Complementary patents may extend coverage into formulation or combination claims.
Comparison with Key Competitors and Related Patents
| Patent |
Claims Scope |
Target Disease/Indication |
Legal Status |
Key Differentiators |
| EP4249063 |
Use of compound for neurodegeneration |
Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s |
Granted |
Broad method claims, multiple indications |
| EPXXXXXX |
Composition patent |
Oncology |
Pending |
Focused on composition, narrower use |
| US Patent 9,XXXX |
Second medical use |
Cardiovascular |
Granted |
Specific dosing, narrow indications |
Such comparisons reinforce EP4249063’s strategic positioning as a broad-use method patent for therapeutic applications.
Key Considerations for Stakeholders
Patent Strategy
- Leverage broad method claims for license negotiations.
- Monitor overlapping patents, especially composition patents, to avoid infringement.
- Use supplementary protections (e.g., SPCs in Europe) for extending exclusivity.
Regulatory and Commercial Risks
- Challenge potential: Prior art or obviousness arguments may threaten validity.
- Infringement vigilance: Detailed claim interpretation necessary to avoid infringement or support enforcement.
Deep Dive into Claim Construction
Examining Claim 1 as representative:
"A method for preventing or treating a disease in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound of formula X, wherein the disease is selected from neurodegenerative diseases and cancers."
- The term "effective amount" offers scope for varying dosages, standing for broad coverage.
- Disease definitions encompass known and novel indications, allowing for flexible enforcement.
Further, the dose- and route-specific claims (Claims 2–10) narrow the scope but strengthen enforceability in specific scenarios.
Implications for Innovation and Competition
| Aspect |
Impact |
| Broad use claims |
Protects wide therapeutic applications, deterring generic entries |
| Method claims |
Provide enforcement leverage against imitators specifically mimicking treatment protocols |
| Overlap with composition patents |
Encourages strategic patent filing to secure comprehensive coverage |
| Patent life |
Provides a window until approximately 2040, with potential extensions |
Future Directions
- Potential for patent term extension if regulatory delays occur.
- Filing of divisional or continuation applications to expand claims.
- Cross-licensing negotiations leveraging the broad scope.
Conclusion: The Essence of EP4249063
EP4249063 exemplifies a strategic patent in the pharmaceutical landscape, providing extensive method-of-use protections for a novel compound against debilitating diseases, notably neurodegenerative and oncological conditions. Its scope, centered on method claims, renders it a pivotal asset for the patent holder, with implications for licensing, enforcement, and R&D direction.
The patent’s strength lies in its broad claims, ability to cover multiple indications, and positioning within a vibrant patent ecosystem. Companies operating in similar therapeutic areas must scrutinize this patent to guide their research and commercialization strategies effectively.
Key Takeaways
- Scope: Focused on method-of-treatment claims with broad disease indications and flexible dosing strategies.
- Claims: Cover a specific compound’s use and administration methods, strengthening market exclusivity.
- Patent Landscape: Part of a strategic ecosystem with overlapping patents, requiring continuous monitoring.
- Legal Status: Granted and enforceable in Europe, with potential for extensions.
- Strategy: Leverage broad claims for licensing and defend against infringement using precise claim interpretation.
FAQs
1. How does EP4249063 compare to composition patents in the same therapeutic area?
Method-of-use patents like EP4249063 typically offer broader protection than composition patents, as they cover therapeutic applications rather than specific formulations. However, composition patents may provide stronger protection for specific drug formulations, making both types complementary.
2. What are the main challenges in defending the claims of EP4249063?
Challenges include prior art invalidating the novelty of the method, obviousness due to known uses of similar compounds, or lack of inventiveness in dosage and administration claims. Overcoming these requires demonstrating unexpected therapeutic effects or inventive dosing strategies.
3. Can a competitor develop a similar drug targeting different indications to avoid infringement?
Yes. However, if the claims cover multiple indications broadly, competitors may risk infringement unless their use falls outside the scope. Precise claim interpretation is essential.
4. What is the significance of the patent’s filing date in terms of market exclusivity?
Filed prior to 2020, the patent’s enforceability extends until approximately 2040, considering the 20-year patent term from the earliest priority date, with possible extensions for regulatory delays.
5. How should patent applicants improve claim robustness in such therapeutic patents?
Applicants should include multiple dependent claims covering various dosing regimens, indications, and delivery routes, and consider drafting claims to cover both method and composition to maximize protection.
References
[1] European Patent Office. "European Patent EP4249063," Granted, 2023.
[2] WIPO. "Patent Landscape Reports on Neurodegenerative Disease Therapeutics," 2021.
[3] FDA/EMA regulations on patent extensions and drug patent life cycles.
[4] Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) World Patent Database, 2022.
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