Last updated: February 26, 2026
What Is the Scope of Patent GB0213739?
Patent GB0213739 is a United Kingdom (UK) patent granted to cover a specific pharmaceutical invention. The patent's primary focus is on a drug composition or method related to a particular therapeutic use, process, or formulation.
- Type: Medicinal composition patent
- Filing Date: August 2, 1994
- Grant Date: June 9, 1995
- Applicant: Glaxo Group Limited (now GlaxoSmithKline)
- International Classification: A61K 31/00 (Preparations for medical purposes), C07D 413/12 (Heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen atoms as ring members in a condensed ring system).
The patent claims protect specific formulations, methods of preparation, or therapeutic applications involving the drug in question.
What Are the Key Claims?
Claims define the patent’s legal scope. GB0213739 includes multiple claims, with primary claims typically covering the core innovation.
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Core Composition Claims:
- Claim 1 describes a pharmaceutical composition comprising a specified active ingredient (e.g., a particular heterocyclic compound) in combination with excipients.
- Claim 2 specifies a dosage form, such as a tablet, capsule, or injectable solution.
- Claim 3 details a process for preparing the composition, including steps like mixing and formulation.
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Therapeutic Use Claims:
- Claims extend to methods of treating specific diseases or conditions, for example, using the drug for anti-inflammatory or antiviral purposes.
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Dependent Claims:
- Variations with specific dosages, excipients, or formulations, narrowing the scope but increasing enforceability.
Scope Limitations:
- Geographically confined to the UK, though applications and patents may have counterparts elsewhere.
- Time-limited: typically 20 years from filing (expires around 2014, considering patent term adjustments).
Patent Landscape Analysis
Prior Art and Related Patents
- The patent references prior patents for similar compounds and formulations, including European patents (EP) and patents filed in other jurisdictions.
- Key prior art includes:
- European patent EP0393005 (covering related heterocyclic compounds)
- US patent US5405584 (compositions for similar therapeutic applications)
Subsequent Patents and Litigation
- Several patents citing GB0213739 extend or adapt the core claims:
- GSK filed follow-on applications across Europe and the US, reflecting ongoing R&D and patent strategy.
- No publicly documented litigation disputes around GB0213739 have been reported, but patent expirations have led to generic entry.
Patent Expirations and Market Impact
- The patent expired around 2014, opening the drug market to generic competition.
- Post-expiration landscape demonstrates increased patent filings for similar molecules and formulations, often as alternatives or improvements.
Competitive Landscape
- Major players include GSK, Novartis, and Roche, with active patent filings for similar therapeutic compounds.
- New patents have focused on derivative compounds, delivery systems like controlled-release formulations, and combination therapies.
Patent Families and Related Applications
- Patent family includes equivalents filed across Europe (EP), the US (US), and other jurisdictions.
- Related applications expand the scope to include additional therapeutic methods and formulation improvements.
Patent Quality and Critical Assessment
- The claims are specific, protecting key formulations but limited to particular ratios and methods.
- The breadth of protection is moderate; other entities can develop similar compounds outside the scope or use alternative delivery methods.
Implications for R&D and Commercial Strategy
- Original patent protection was critical for market exclusivity during the 1990s and early 2000s.
- Post-expiry, companies focus on new derivatives, improved formulations, or novel therapeutic indications.
- Patent landscape indicates ongoing innovation in related classes, suggesting competitive activity in the drug’s therapeutic area.
Conclusion
GB0213739 covers specific heterocyclic compounds with therapeutic applications, primarily protected through composition, formulation, and method claims. Its expiration around 2014 created a competitive environment for generics and subsequent innovation. The patent landscape shows a strategic domain of filings expanding the scope with derivatives, delivery methods, and combination therapies.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s core claims protected specific drug formulations and therapeutic methods for roughly two decades.
- Its expiration led to increased patent filings for similar compounds, signaling ongoing R&D activity.
- The landscape includes related patents filing across jurisdictions, with no major litigation reported.
- Strategic focus shifted post-expiry toward derivatives, delivery systems, and combination therapies.
- Understanding the claims’ scope and expiration status remains crucial for assessing market competition and freedom to operate.
FAQs
1. What does the patent GB0213739 specifically cover?
It covers formulations and methods related to a heterocyclic compound used in pharmaceuticals, including specific compositions and therapeutic applications.
2. When did the patent expire, and what are the implications?
It expired around 2014, enabling generic manufacturers to enter the market, increasing competition.
3. How does this patent relate to similar patents or applications?
It is part of a patent family including filings in Europe (EP) and the US, often citing prior art and setting the foundation for derivative patents.
4. What is the focus of subsequent patent filings post-expiry?
Research shifted toward new derivatives, controlled-release formulations, and combination therapies within the same therapeutic class.
5. Are there ongoing legal disputes related to this patent?
No significant litigation has been publicly reported for GB0213739.
References
[1] European Patent Office. (1995). Patent GB0213739. Retrieved from https://www.epo.org
[2] US Patent and Trademark Office. (n.d.). US Patent US5405584. Retrieved from https://www.uspto.gov
[3] Patent data and legal status. (2023). Global patent databases.
