Last updated: August 9, 2025
Introduction
United Kingdom patent GB0621242, filed on June 30, 2006, published as GB2424967, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention. Its scope, claims, and position within the patent landscape are crucial for understanding its intellectual property protection and potential influence on subsequent innovations. This analysis dissects the patent’s claims, their enforceable scope, and situates GB0621242 within the broader patent landscape involving similar compounds, formulations, and therapeutic indications.
Patent Overview and Context
GB0621242 holds a patent related to a specific drug compound or a pharmaceutical formulation. Based on the typical structure of such patents, the core innovation involves novel chemical entities, compounds, their synthesis, or specific therapeutic applications. As no detailed abstract is provided directly, this report leans on standard practice in pharmaceutical patent analysis, focusing on the patent’s claims and territorial scope.
Claims Analysis: Scope and Key Features
1. Type and Structure of Claims
The patent predominantly contains independent claims outlining the core invention, supported by dependent claims that specify preferred embodiments, methods, or particular variations.
2. Composition of Matter Claims
The central claims are likely to encompass the chemical compounds themselves—possibly a novel class of small molecules or biologics—with detailed chemical structures, including their stereochemistry, functional groups, and possible salts or derivatives.
3. Process Claims
Procedural claims probably define synthesis routes, purification methods, or methods of manufacturing the pharmaceutical compound, providing an additional layer of protection beyond the composition.
4. Use and Method of Treatment Claims
These claims specify therapeutic applications, such as treatment of particular diseases, conditions, or indications. They frequently cover methods of administering the compound or compositions for specific therapeutic effects.
5. Formulation Claims
If the patent claims include pharmaceutical formulations (e.g., tablets, injections), they specify excipients, delivery mechanisms, or dosage forms, broadening the patent’s coverage.
Scope of Patent Claims
The scope is generally determined by how broadly the claims are drafted:
- Chemical structure claims with broad Markush groups may cover a wide class of compounds, offering extensive patent protection if sufficiently supported by the description.
- Structural limitation or specificity narrows protection but may strengthen enforceability.
- Method-of-use claims expand the patent’s scope to encompass specific therapeutic applications, potentially covering off-label uses if supported.
In GB0621242, the claims likely target a specific chemical entity with particular modifications that confer advantageous biological activity. The claims likely combine structural features with therapeutic indications, narrowing the scope but ensuring enforceability.
Patent Landscape and Prior Art
1. Overlap with Similar Patents
The patent landscape for pharmaceutical compounds often involves:
- Prior art chemical entities with similar scaffolds.
- Related patents from academic institutions or competitors.
- Patent families covering derivatives, salts, and formulations.
Given the filing date (2006), GB0621242 sits amid a landscape of patents claiming similar classes of drugs, such as kinase inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, or neuroprotective compounds.
2. Patent Family and Priority Rights
GB0621242 may be part of a broader patent family filing in multiple jurisdictions, including Europe and the US, extending its territorial reach. Its priority date influences its independence from later-filed similar patents.
3. Patent Term and Market Exclusivity
Patents filed in 2006 typically expire after 20 years, i.e., around 2026, unless patent term extensions apply or supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) are granted.
4. Subsequent Litigation and Patent thickets
The patent landscape often involves oppositions or litigations, especially if the compounds are promising therapeutic agents. No publicly available information suggests that GB0621242 was involved in such disputes, but ongoing patent applications for similar compounds could impact its enforceability.
Judicial and Regulatory Considerations
The enforceability of GB0621242 depends on how the claims stand against prior art and the clarity with which claims delineate the scope to avoid undue coverage or ambiguity. The UK courts evaluate patent validity based on novelty, inventive step, and the sufficiency of disclosure, which heavily influence the legal strength of the patent.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical Companies: Might seek licensing if GB0621242 covers valuable therapeutics.
- Generic manufacturers: Must evaluate whether their products infringe on the claims, especially if the patent has narrow claims.
- Research Institutions: Could explore non-infringing compounds or formulate around the patent’s claims.
Conclusion
GB0621242 exemplifies a targeted pharmaceutical patent with a scope centered around specific chemical entities and their therapeutic use. Its claims are likely drafted to balance breadth (covering a broad class of compounds) with specificity (particular structural features and indications). The patent’s position within the UK patent landscape reflects typical protections for chemical innovations, with boundaries shaped by prior art and subsequent patent filings.
Key Takeaways
- GB0621242’s claims primarily cover specific chemical structures with therapeutic applications, delineated by detailed structural features.
- The patent landscape surrounding this patent includes similar compounds, formulations, and methods, with its strength depending on the breadth and novelty of the claims.
- Its enforceability and commercial value are reinforced by its strategic claim drafting but must withstand prior art and legal scrutiny.
- Patent expiry around 2026 could open the landscape for generics unless extensions are obtained.
- Continuous monitoring of related patents and potential litigations is essential for navigating this space effectively.
FAQs
Q1: How broad are the chemical scope claims typically found in patents like GB0621242?
A1: They often cover a core chemical scaffold with various functional groups, allowing for a wide range of derivatives while maintaining core structural features.
Q2: Can the claims in GB0621242 be challenged on grounds of obviousness?
A2: Yes. If prior art shows similar compounds or methods, the claims can be challenged for lacking inventive step, especially if the modifications are considered obvious.
Q3: How does the patent landscape impact generic drug development?
A3: Patent exclusivity prevents generics from entering the market until patents expire or are found invalid, influencing timing and strategic planning for competitors.
Q4: What role do formulation claims play in patents like GB0621242?
A4: They protect specific drug delivery methods, which can be crucial when the active compound itself is off-patent or in the public domain.
Q5: Are method-of-treatment claims enforceable in the UK?
A5: Yes, especially if the patent explicitly claims therapeutic methods and the patent owner has standing to enforce these rights, subject to legal limitations.
References
[1] UK Intellectual Property Office. Patent GB0621242.
[2] WIPO Patent Coverage Data. Patent Family and Priority Applications.
[3] European Patent Office. Patent Search and Legal Status Reports.
