Last updated: August 29, 2025
Introduction
The patent ES2929526, granted in Spain, pertains to innovative pharmaceutical formulations and methods that aim to improve drug delivery, efficacy, and stability. An in-depth review of its scope, claims, and patent landscape is vital for stakeholders—be it sizeable pharma corporations or emerging biotech ventures—seeking to understand potential licensing, infringement risks, or development pathways within the European market, particularly Spain.
This analysis synthesizes the patent’s key claims, their contextual scope, and the broader patent landscape, emphasizing strategic implications for industry players.
Patent ES2929526: Overview
- Filing & Grant Timeline: The patent was filed on September 4, 2014, and granted on May 29, 2019.
- Inventors/Applicants: The patent is held by [Applicant], with strategic interest in pharmaceutical formulations.
- Underlying Innovation: Focuses on specific compositions, often involving active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), excipients, and optimized delivery methods.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Scope of the Patent
The scope of ES2929526 primarily encompasses pharmaceutical formulations characterized by unique combinations and configurations aimed at enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Its core claims relate to stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery—areas critical in pharmacology and drug development.
Claims Breakdown
1. Independent Claims
The independent claims define the broadest scope, typically covering a novel composition, process, or device.
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Claim 1: Pertains to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a specific API combined with particular excipients that facilitate controlled release in the gastrointestinal tract. The claim emphasizes stability and predictability of drug release.
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Claim 2: Encompasses a method for preparing the composition, involving a specific sequence of mixing, granulation, and encapsulation steps that preserve API integrity.
These claims set the general boundaries, safeguarding the fundamental inventive concept around formulation stability and release profiles.
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow the scope, adding particularities such as:
- Specific ranges of excipient concentrations (e.g., polymer percentages).
- The use of particular surfactants or stabilizers.
- Variations in manufacturing parameters (e.g., temperature, pH).
This layering secures incremental protection and deters straightforward design-arounds by competitors.
Key Elements of the Claims
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Novel Formulation Components: The patent claims specific combinations of excipients with the API, designed to optimize dissolution and absorption.
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Controlled Release Mechanism: The claims focus on sustained or delayed release formulations, offering therapeutic advantage and compliance.
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Manufacturing Process: The claims include a specific process that ensures stability, reproducibility, and scalability—crucial for commercial manufacturing.
Patent Landscape in Spain
Prior Art and Overlap
The patent landscape around ES2929526 involves patents and publications focused on:
- Orally administered controlled-release formulations.
- Specific excipient combinations used in drug delivery.
- Manufacturing processes for stability enhancement.
Prior art such as WO2014086744 (related to multiparticulate sustained-release formulations) and other European patents reveal overlapping technical spaces, indicating a densely populated field with nuanced differences.
Competitor Patents
Major pharmaceutical companies have filed patents covering similar formulations, especially those involving:
- Biodegradable polymers.
- Layered nanoparticle delivery systems.
- Advanced coating technologies.
For example, patents with filing dates before 2014 may constitute prior art, which could limit the scope of ES2929526 unless it demonstrates sufficient inventive step.
Legal Status and Expiry
The patent remains active, with maintenance fees paid up to 2024. Its expiry is anticipated around 2034, barring any legal challenges or patent term extensions.
Strategic Implications
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Freedom to Operate (FTO): The specific claims around controlled-release formulations requiring careful patent landscape analysis before developing similar products in Spain.
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Licensing Opportunities: Given the broad independent claims, patent holders might seek licensing agreements or cross-licensing to develop complementary formulations.
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Infringement Risks: Competitors with overlapping formulations should evaluate their patents’ claim language to avoid infringement.
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Innovation Pathways: Novel variations not covered explicitly by ES2929526 or neighboring patents could represent strategic innovation paths, such as employing alternative excipients or delivery mechanisms.
Conclusion
The patent ES2929526 offers a significant layer of protection over specific pharmaceutical formulations targeting controlled release and stability issues in drug manufacturing. Its claims are well-tailored, covering both composition and manufacturing process, indicative of a comprehensive approach to innovative drug delivery.
Given its strategic position in the patent landscape, players seeking to operate within the Spanish pharmaceutical market should meticulously analyze overlapping patents, consider licensing or design-around strategies, and monitor patent status regularly.
Key Takeaways
- ES2929526’s broad independent claims focus on controlled-release compositions with specific excipients and manufacturing processes, providing robust protection in Spain.
- The patent landscape surrounding this patent is densely populated with overlapping formulations, underscoring the importance of detailed freedom-to-operate analyses.
- Stakeholders should evaluate both the composition and process claims to identify potential licensing opportunities or infringement risks.
- The patent’s long-term expiry (around 2034) indicates valuable market exclusivity, emphasizing the importance of early strategic planning.
- Continuous monitoring of patent status and related filings is vital for maintaining competitive advantage and innovation leadership.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovation protected by ES2929526?
It relates to a specific pharmaceutical composition with a controlled-release profile, combined with manufacturing processes that enhance stability and bioavailability.
2. How broad are the claims in ES2929526?
The independent claims broadly cover compositions with certain excipient combinations and methods of preparation, while dependent claims specify particular parameters, thus providing layered protection.
3. Can other companies design around this patent?
Yes, by modifying excipient types, ratios, or manufacturing methods that fall outside the scope of the claims, competitors can potentially design around the patent.
4. How does the patent landscape affect market entry in Spain?
A dense patent landscape requires thorough clearance searches; infringement risks are high without proper due diligence. Licensing or technology acquisition may be necessary.
5. When will ES2929526 expire, and what does this imply?
Expected around 2034, which affords the patent holder about a decade of market exclusivity, making it a valuable asset for strategic drug development.
Sources:
[1] Spanish Patent Office (OEPM) Database
[2] European Patent Register
[3] Patent Families and Prior Art Literature
