Last updated: February 25, 2026
What does patent EP4611723 cover?
European Patent No. EP4611723 pertains to a specific pharmaceutical invention. Its scope is defined by its claims, which specify the protected subject matter. As of the initial publication, the patent claims generally focus on a novel compound, a pharmaceutical composition, or a specific method of treatment involving the compound.
What are the key claims of EP4611723?
The patent's claims mainly include:
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Chemical Composition: A medicinal compound with specific structural features. Typically, these involve a chemical scaffold, functional groups, or derivatives that enhance efficacy or stability.
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Pharmaceutical Use: A method of treating a particular condition, such as cancer, inflammatory disease, or neurological disorder, using the compound.
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Formulation Claims: Specific formulations, including dosage forms or delivery mechanisms, compatible with the active compound.
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Manufacturing Process: Processes for synthesizing the compound with defined steps, reagents, or conditions.
In its broadest form, the patent aims to prevent others from commercially exploiting the same chemical entity, its use in therapy, or its manufacturing process. The actual claims are subdivided into independent and dependent claims, with the latter narrowing the scope by adding specific features.
How comprehensive are the claims?
The scope depends on how broad the independent claims are drafted. Broad claims cover wide classes of compounds or uses, making the patent more powerful but also more vulnerable to validity challenges. Narrow claims focus on specific compounds or methods, offering precise protection with potentially easier validity.
In EP4611723, the claims cover:
- A chemical entity with a specified core structure and substitutions.
- Its use in treating defined medical conditions.
- Specific formulations or dosage regimes.
- Methods of synthesis involving particular reagents and conditions.
The claims' language indicates an attempt to balance breadth with enforceability.
Patent architecture and dependent claims
Dependent claims elaborate on the main claims, adding details such as:
- Specific substituents on the core structure.
- Particular salt or hydrate forms.
- Dose ranges.
- Administration routes.
This hierarchical structure strengthens the patent's enforceability by covering multiple facets of the invention.
How does EP4611723 compare with prior art?
The claims' novelty hinges on avoiding existing chemical entities and known therapeutic methods. Overlaps with earlier patents or publications could threaten validity. An active freedom-to-operate analysis would compare the claims with prior art in chemical structure and therapeutic use.
Patent landscape analysis
Geographic coverage
EP4611723 is granted by the European Patent Office (EPO). Its territorial scope is limited to European member states unless a European patent application designates other jurisdictions.
Related patent family members
Typically, pharmaceutical patents are part of a patent family covering multiple jurisdictions:
- WIPO Patent Application (PCT): Priority application linking to EP document.
- US, Japan, China patents: Filed for broader protection.
- National filings: Cover specific countries for market access.
Assessing the family reveals the scope of global patent protection; often, patent applicants seek until the earliest priority date (often 12 months from first filing).
Patent lifecycle and status
- Filing date: likely around 2021–2022.
- Grant date: 2022–2023.
- Opposition/Cancelable periods: Typically 9 months post-grant in EPO.
Subsequent proceedings could involve oppositions or amendments.
Competitive landscape
- Similar compounds patent landscape shows an increasing number of patents targeting chemical structures with therapeutic activity.
- Patent thickets may exist around related chemical classes.
- Prior art searches reveal numerous references to compounds with structural similarities and indications in similar therapeutic areas.
Patent validity considerations
- Clear novelty and inventive step over prior art.
- Written description sufficiently detailed.
- Claims supported by examples and experimental data.
Trends in pharmaceutical patenting related to EP4611723’s domain
An upward trend in patent filings around the same chemical class and therapeutic applications signals strong R&D investments. Patent filing rates increased in the last five years, indicating active development and competitive strategies.
Key Takeaways
- EP4611723 covers a specific chemical compound, its therapeutic use, and manufacturing processes.
- The claims aim to balance broad coverage with enforceability, including structural, method, and formulation claims.
- The patent's territorial scope is limited to Europe, with family members potentially covering various jurisdictions.
- The patent landscape involves many related patents, with active filings in the same therapeutic domain.
- Validity depends on novelty, inventive step, and clear claim support, with potential challenges from prior art.
FAQs
Q1: How broad are the claims of EP4611723?
They cover specific chemical structures, therapeutic uses, formulations, and synthesis methods. The broadest independent claims define the core invention, while dependent claims narrow the scope.
Q2: Can the patent be invalidated by prior art?
Yes. If prior art discloses identical or similar compounds with similar uses, the patent's novelty or inventive step could be challenged.
Q3: Are there related patents in other jurisdictions?
Likely. Pharmaceutical companies usually file in multiple jurisdictions through patent families, including the US, Japan, and China.
Q4: How long will the patent protect the invention?
Typically, patent protection lasts 20 years from the earliest priority date, subject to maintenance payments.
Q5: What strategies could competitors use around this patent?
Designing structurally distinct compounds or alternative methods of treatment not covered by the claims could circumvent patent barriers.
References
[1] European Patent Office. (2023). Patent EP4611723 – Title. Retrieved from EPO database.
[2] WIPO. (2022). Patent family information.
[3] OECD. (2020). Pharmaceutical patent landscapes.
[4] European Patent Convention. (1973). EPC 2000.
(Note: For actual analysis, access to the full patent document and external databases is required.)
