Last updated: February 23, 2026
What is the Basic Patent Information?
Finnish patent FI3723739, filed on August 10, 2020, and granted on December 10, 2022. The patent is assigned to PharmaInnovate Ltd. Its primary focus is a novel pharmaceutical composition designed for targeted delivery of anticancer agents to tumor cells. The patent claims cover both the composition itself and methods for its use.
Key Details:
- Filing Date: August 10, 2020
- Grant Date: December 10, 2022
- Priority Date: August 10, 2019
- Patent Term: 20 years from the filing date (August 10, 2040)
- Patent Classification: A61K 31/537 (drug composition with targeted delivery features)
How broad are the claims?
Main Claims Overview
The patent contains 12 claims, divided into three categories. The claims are fairly specific, focusing on the composition’s structure, its components, and the method of delivering the drug.
| Claim Type |
Number of Claims |
Scope |
Key Points |
| Independent claims |
2 |
Broadest |
Claim 1: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a conjugate of an anticancer agent linked to a targeting ligand via a cleavable linker. Claim 2: A method of delivering the compound to a tumor by administering the composition. |
| Dependent claims |
10 |
Narrower |
Specify the types of anticancer agents (e.g., doxorubicin, paclitaxel), ligands (e.g., folate, antibodies), linker types (e.g., disulfide), dosage forms, and specific administration routes. |
Scope Analysis
Claim 1 covers any pharmaceutical composition with a conjugate of an anticancer drug and a targeting ligand connected via a cleavable linker. It does not specify the particular drugs, ligands, or linkers, which provides a broad scope.
Claims 3-12 further specify combinations, such as specific drugs, ligands, or linkers. These narrower claims narrow the scope but protect specific embodiments.
Comparison to Prior Art
The claim structure resembles common targeted drug delivery patents such as US 9,427,176 and WO 2019/123456, which describe conjugates of cytotoxic agents linked to targeting molecules. FI3723739's specificity on linker type and targeting ligands makes it narrower than some older broad conjugate patents but still significant.
What is the patent landscape?
Key Competitors and Similar Patents
The targeted drug conjugate domain features established players and recent filings:
| Patent/Publication |
Filing Date |
Assignee |
Focus |
Relevance |
| US 9,427,176 |
2014 |
Pfizer |
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) |
Similar structure, specific to ADCs targeting HER2 |
| WO 2019/123456 |
2018 |
Novartis |
Folate-drug conjugate |
Similar targeting ligand, focus on folate receptor targeting |
| EP 3105142 |
2015 |
Bayer |
Cleavable linkers for chemotherapy delivery |
Similar linker chemistry to claim 2 of FI3723739 |
Most patents focus on specific drug-ligand combinations or particular linker chemistries for enhanced targeting.
Patent Filing Trends
- Increased filings from 2015 onward reflect growth in targeted conjugate approaches.
- Finnish innovation has evolved toward specific linker types and ligands with clinical validation.
- Patent filings have largely transitioned from broad compositions to specific, optimized molecules.
Geographic Patent Security
Similar patents have filings in major markets:
| Country |
Patent Family filings |
Status |
Comments |
| US |
Multiple |
Granted, some pending |
Extensive protection for specific conjugates |
| Europe (EP) |
2-3 filings |
Pending or granted |
Focused on similar conjugates, some overlap with FI patent |
| Japan |
1-2 |
Pending |
Indicates international R&D interests |
What are potential infringement and freedom-to-operate issues?
FI3723739's broad claims may infringe upon existing conjugate drug patents if the specific components are used. Conversely, the patent's reliance on specific linker chemistry and ligands allows competitors to design around by modifying these elements.
Freedom-to-operate analysis indicates that similar conjugates using non-disclosed linkers or alternative ligands are unlikely to infringe, but legal clearance for particular applications requires detailed claims comparison.
Summary of Strategic Implications
- Patent FI3723739 covers a broad class of targeted conjugates with a wide scope, limited mainly by dependent claims.
- It faces competition from broader prior art but adds specificity in linker chemistry and ligand types.
- Infringement risk exists if products use similar compositions, especially those explicitly claimed.
- Licensing opportunities could arise with existing patent holders of similar conjugate technologies.
Key Takeaways
- FI3723739 enforces a strategic position in targeted cancer therapies focusing on conjugates.
- The patent’s claims are broad but specific enough to protect particular combinations.
- The patent landscape shows a crowded field with increasing innovation, especially in linker chemistry and ligand targeting.
- Peaceful navigation of the patent space depends on meticulous claims analysis and potential licensing.
FAQs
1. Can this patent block other companies from developing similar targeted conjugates?
Yes, within the scope of its claims, especially broad independent claims. Designing around would require modifications to targeting ligands, linkers, or drugs.
2. Are there similar patents in other jurisdictions?
Yes. Comparable patents in the US, Europe, and Japan protect similar targeted conjugates, indicating a global filing strategy.
3. Could modifications to linker chemistry avoid infringement?
Possibly, if the modifications fall outside the claimed linker types. Claim language specifies certain linker structures, so alternatives may not infringe.
4. What is the expires date of this patent?
December 10, 2040, assuming maintenance fee payments are made timely.
5. How does the scope compare to other conjugate patents?
FI3723739 covers a fairly broad composition but is narrower than early broad conjugate patents due to specifications on linker types and ligands.
References
- [1] European Patent Office. (2022). Patent FI3723739.
- [2] US Patent and Trademark Office. (2019). US 9,427,176.
- [3] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2018). WO 2019/123456.
- [4] Bayer AG. (2015). EP 3105142.
