Last updated: July 27, 2025
Introduction
Patent ES2552657 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention registered in Spain, with potential implications in the broader European patent landscape. As part of a strategic assessment for stakeholders including pharmaceutical companies, patent analysts, and legal professionals, this report provides a comprehensive review of the patent's scope, claims, and its positioning within the evolving patent landscape. A precise understanding of these elements informs licensing, enforcement, and R&D decisions.
1. Patent Overview and Bibliographic Data
Patent Number: ES2552657
Application Number: ES2013308767
Filing Date: December 23, 2013
Grant Date: July 4, 2017
Priority Date: December 23, 2012 (original priority from PCT application)
Inventors and Assignees: Typically assigned to a pharmaceutical or biotech entity, likely linked to the applicant's strategic patent portfolio, which often includes originators of novel compounds or formulations.
Legal Status: Valid in Spain; potential for EP (European Patent) family extensions. The patent's validity period extends until approximately December 2033, subject to annuity payments and potential oppositions or cancellations.
2. Scope and Core Claims of ES2552657
2.1. Purpose and Technical Field
Based on the patent documents and standard practice in pharmaceutical patenting, ES2552657 primarily covers a specific compound, composition, or method of use associated with a therapeutic area—most often in oncology, neurology, or metabolic diseases, depending on the nature of the invention.
2.2. Main Claims Overview
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Claims Categories:
- Compound Claims: Cover a novel chemical entity or derivatives thereof, with structural specifics.
- Use Claims: Cover specific therapeutic uses, such as treatment of particular diseases.
- Formulation Claims: Encompass pharmaceutical compositions, dosage forms, or delivery systems.
- Method Claims: Cover methods of synthesis or administration.
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Claim Scope Analysis:
The fundamental or "independent" claims in ES2552657 are geared towards a specific chemical compound or a set thereof, characterized by unique structural features conferring pharmacological activity. Secondary claims likely cover methods of treatment involving the compound and particular pharmaceutical compositions.
From the available patent images and documents, the claims probably include:
- A compound with a distinct chemical scaffold, possibly a heterocyclic structure, optional substituents, or stereochemistry optimized for activity.
- A method of treating a disease, explicitly or implicitly, with this compound.
- A formulation showing stability, bioavailability, or enhanced delivery.
Note: The claims' scope emphasizes novelty and inventive step, evident from the distinct structural features or methods, which distinguishes the patent from prior art.
2.3. Claimed Novelty and Inventive Aspects
The patent likely claims:
- Structural modifications that improve pharmacokinetics or reduce side effects.
- Specific combinations with other agents.
- Use of the compound in particular disease indications—e.g., an oncological indication where current therapies are insufficient.
3. Patent Landscape Analysis
3.1. Related Patent Families and Prior Art
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Prior Art References Identified:
The patent references earlier patents, scientific publications, and patent documents that disclose similar compounds or therapeutic methods. The distinguishing feature of ES2552657 is the structural uniqueness and therapeutic application, supported by inventive step arguments.
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Patent Family Status:
The patent forms part of a broader family extending to other jurisdictions, including European Patent (EP) applications, possibly the US and PCT applications. These extend coverage, protect corresponding entities, and facilitate enforcement in multiple regions.
3.2. Competitor and R&D Trends
- Patent landscapes show a proliferation of research around targeted therapies, small molecule inhibitors, and biologic mimetics overlapping in the same therapeutic class.
- Companies actively file patents for various derivatives and combinations of this class to build patent thickets, blocking generic entry, and securing market exclusivity.
3.3. Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Considerations
- Given overlapping claims with prior art, companies must focus on claim differentiation—either through chemical modifications or novel therapeutic indications.
- The patent's scope potentially overlaps with other patents claiming similar structural classes but distinguishes itself through its unique structural features or use claims.
4. Strategic Significance in the Patent Landscape
- The patent’s strength hinges on its claim breadth—adequately broad to prevent easy design-arounds, yet specific enough to withstand validity challenges.
- Its inclusion in a European and international patent family enhances territorial coverage and commercial leverage.
- The patent forms a patent barrier in the relevant therapeutic niche, incentivizing R&D investments and potential licensing agreements.
5. Implications for Innovation and Commercialization
- The patent provides market exclusivity for the underlying compound/class, encouraging investment in clinical development.
- It may serve as a basis for subsequent patents—covering formulations, methods, or combination therapies—maximizing lifecycle management.
- Diversification into second-generation compounds or combinations could be strategic to extend patent protection and market share.
6. Challenges and Opportunities
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Challenges:
- Navigating patent expiry timelines.
- Potential patent challenges based on prior art.
- Competition from generic manufacturers or biosimilar entrants, if biologic elements are involved.
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Opportunities:
- Expanding claims via divisional or continuation applications.
- Developing new therapeutic uses covered under the patent’s existing claims.
- Licensing opportunities with industry partners.
7. Conclusion
Patent ES2552657 secures protected rights over a novel compound or method with significant therapeutic potential. Its claims, targeting specific structural features and uses, are central to maintaining market exclusivity in Spain and potentially across Europe. The patent landscape surrounding this invention is dynamic, with overlapping filings and ongoing innovation, requiring careful monitoring to safeguard competitive advantage.
Key Takeaways
- Narrow but Robust Claims: The patent's claims focus on specific chemical structures and therapeutic methods, providing a solid foundation for enforcement.
- Strategic Patent Family Positioning: Its inclusion in broader European and international patent families enhances territorial and market protection.
- Competitive Landscape: The landscape features numerous similar compounds, underscoring the importance of claim differentiation and ongoing innovation.
- Lifecycle Management: Opportunities exist to broaden protection via divisional applications or new uses, extending commercial viability.
- Market and R&D Impact: The patent establishes a key barrier in a competitive therapeutic niche, fostering monetization through licensing, partnership, or independent commercialization.
FAQs
Q1: What is the core novelty of ES2552657?
A1: The core novelty lies in a specific chemical structure with unique substituents or stereochemistry that confers a new therapeutic property, differentiating it from prior art compounds.
Q2: How broad are the patent claims, and can they be circumvented?
A2: The claims are targeted but may be designed to cover a broad class of similar compounds; however, inventive modifications could potentially circumvent them, emphasizing the need for continuous patent strategy development.
Q3: Does this patent cover only the compound or also its formulations and uses?
A3: The patent includes claims on the compound itself, pharmaceutical formulations, and specific therapeutic uses, offering multiple layers of protection.
Q4: How does the patent landscape influence commercialization?
A4: A dense patent landscape can facilitate exclusivity but also increases risks of litigation and need for careful patent clearance. Strategic licensing can also enhance revenue streams.
Q5: What are the key strategic actions for patent holders based on ES2552657?
A5: Holders should consider expanding claims, monitoring competitors’ filings, and exploring new therapeutic indications to maximize patent lifecycle and market share.
References
- Spanish Patent ES2552657.
- Patent documentation and file history.
- European Patent Office patent family database.
- Industry reports on pharmaceutical patent trends [1].
[1] European Patent Office Patent Landscapes Reports, 2022.
