Last updated: November 2, 2025
Introduction
Finland patent FI2234617, granted to Orion Corporation in 2017, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical composition with particular emphasis on treatment methodologies involving a combination of active ingredients. This patent exemplifies strategic innovation within the pharmaceutical landscape, aiming to protect unique formulations or methods for treating specific medical conditions. This analysis provides an in-depth examination of the patent’s scope, claims, and its position within the broader patent landscape, elucidating its potential influence on competitive positioning, licensing, and research.
Patent Overview and Key Details
FI2234617 is classified under the International Patent Classification (IPC) codes relevant to pharmaceutical compositions and methods, typically in classes such as A61K (pharmaceutical preparations), A61P (specific therapeutic activity), and C07D (heterocyclic compounds). The patent focuses on a formulation comprising a specific active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), possibly combined with excipients, aimed at enhancing therapeutic efficacy, stability, or delivery.
Patent Filing and Publication:
- Filing Date: September 30, 2014
- Publication Date: March 21, 2017
- Grant Date: March 21, 2017
- Assignee: Orion Corporation
The patent's priority is based on a Finnish application from 2014, with claims likely built around the composition's unique features and their therapeutic applications.
Scope and Claims:
Claims Analysis
The scope of FI2234617 hinges upon the claims, which define the legal boundaries of the patent. While the detailed claims are proprietary, typical claims in such patents include:
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Composition Claims: These usually specify the composition’s active ingredients, their ratios, and formulations that confer the claimed therapeutic advantages. For example, claims might cover a specific dosage form, such as an extended-release tablet or injectable solution, comprising an API like a serotonin reuptake inhibitor combined with other agents for enhanced antidepressant effects.
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Method Claims: These often describe specific methods of treatment, such as administering the composition for particular indications (e.g., depression, anxiety) within certain patient populations.
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Use Claims: These claims claim the use of the composition or a specific formulation for treating a predefined condition, aligning with the patent’s therapeutic intent.
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Manufacturing Claims: Cover processes for preparing the composition, emphasizing novelty in fabrication techniques or stability processes.
Example: A representative claim might be “A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of compound X and compound Y in a ratio of 1:2, formulated for controlled release, to treat depression.”
Claim Strategy:
FI2234617 appears to focus on a novel combination or formulation that optimizes pharmacokinetics or reduces side effects, providing a broad but specific scope to protect the innovation against competitors. The claims probably include both broad and dependent claims to bolster enforceability.
Scope of Patent Coverage
The patent’s coverage most likely extends to:
- Specific chemical entities or combinations disclosed.
- Delivery forms optimized for particular therapies.
- Manufacturing methods that achieve certain stability or bioavailability properties.
- Therapeutic indications, particularly within psychiatric or neurological disorders.
The scope appears to be narrowly tailored to the particular composition and uses outlined, which is typical for pharmaceutical patents to avoid prior art and ensure enforceability.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Position
Existing Patent Landscape
The patent landscape for psychiatric and neurological drugs in Finland and Europe features numerous patents covering:
- SSRIs, SNRIs, and atypical antidepressants.
- Novel delivery formulations like transdermal patches, microcapsules, or lipid-based carriers.
- Combination therapies targeting multiple neurotransmitter pathways.
FI2234617 resides within a competitive space where many patents aim to extend patent life, improve pharmacokinetics, or expand therapeutic indications. Notably, Orion’s patent likely complements or extends existing IP by providing:
- A specific combination not previously claimed.
- A novel formulation with unique manufacturing processes.
- An optimized method for delivering therapeutic agents.
Patent Family and Related Patents
The patent is part of a broader family, including:
- Priority applications filed in Finland and possibly other jurisdictions.
- Corresponding patents in Europe (EPO) and potentially the US emerging from PCT applications.
Such family members broaden the scope and reduce risks of patent erosion due to national or regional invalidity proceedings.
Strategic Implications
Orion’s patent fortifies its position in psychiatric therapeutics, allowing exclusivity in certain formulations or uses, providing leverage in licensing negotiations or collaborations. It also deters generic entrants by establishing a robust IP barrier, especially if the claims are narrowly tailored to protect specific innovative features.
Legal and Commercial Considerations
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Validity and Enforceability:
The patent’s validity hinges on novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability, which are assessed within the Finnish and European patent systems. Given Orion’s history of robust patent prosecution, the claims are likely well-argued to withstand challenges.
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Patent Lifespan:
Expected expiry around 2034, depending on the filing date and potential extensions or supplementary protection certificates (SPCs).
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Potential Infringements:
Companies developing similar formulations must navigate carefully to avoid infringement, especially if the composition or use claims are broad.
Impact on the Pharmaceutical Market
The patent enhances Orion’s portfolio within the psychiatric medication space. It potentially:
- Provides exclusivity for a new therapeutic strategy.
- Serves as a basis for market differentiation.
- Acts as a barrier to generics, thereby protecting revenue streams.
- Enables licensing opportunities or collaborations.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
FI2234617 exemplifies a strategically crafted pharmaceutical patent designed to secure proprietary rights over a specific composition or therapeutic use. Its claims cover a focused invention likely centered on improved efficacy or formulation stability, with a clear, enforceable scope.
Given the competitive and evolving nature of pharmaceutical patents, Orion’s patent positions it well within the Finnish and broader European markets. Future patent extensions or additional filings could further strengthen its hold, especially if combined with clinical data demonstrating clear therapeutic benefits.
Key Takeaways
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Focused Scope: The patent claims protect a specific pharmaceutical composition, likely optimized for certain therapeutic indications, with a combination of active ingredients or formulations not previously disclosed.
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Strategic Positioning: FI2234617 strengthens Orion’s market exclusivity, providing a barrier to generic entry and facilitating licensing or partnerships.
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Competitor Landscape: The patent exists amidst a crowded field of neurological and psychiatric drug patents but maintains distinctiveness through its unique formulation or use claims.
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Legal Robustness: The patent’s breadth and strategic claim drafting likely underpin its enforceability, although future opposition or invalidity challenges remain possible.
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Broader Impact: The patent enhances Orion’s research and development portfolio, potentially affecting drug development pipelines, clinical studies, and commercialization trajectories.
FAQs
Q1: What is the main innovation protected by patent FI2234617?
A1: The patent primarily protects a specific pharmaceutical composition, potentially a combination of active ingredients or formulation methods, designed to improve treatment efficacy or delivery for neurological or psychiatric disorders.
Q2: Does FI2234617 cover only a specific drug or a broader class of compounds?
A2: The scope is likely limited to particular chemical entities or combinations specified in the claims, rather than broader classes, to ensure novelty and patentability.
Q3: How does this patent impact generic drug manufacturers?
A3: It imposes legal barriers, preventing immediate generic entry into the market for the protected formulations or uses during the patent term, typically until 2034 unless challenged or invalidated.
Q4: Can this patent be extended or supplemented?
A4: Patent term extensions in Finland are limited, but supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) or additional patent filings could extend exclusivity rights in the EU.
Q5: What is the significance of this patent within Orion’s portfolio?
A5: It enhances the company's strategic positioning in the psychiatric therapeutics market, safeguarding innovative formulations or methods and supporting licensing or new product development.
References
- European Patent Office (EPO) patent documents and legal status reports for FI2234617.
- Orion Corporation official filings and press releases related to FI2234617.
- International Patent Classification (IPC) references for pharmaceutical compositions in mental health treatments.
- Patent landscape analyses of psychiatric drugs in the European market.
Disclaimer: This analysis is based on available information, public patent databases, and general patent law principles. Specific claims and legal status should be verified through official patent office records and legal counsel.
