Last updated: February 20, 2026
What Does Patent GB2591396 Cover?
Patent GB2591396, filed in the United Kingdom, relates to a pharmaceutical invention. The document's focus is on a specific drug formulation or method exhibiting particular therapeutic or manufacturing advantages. The patent's claims aim to protect a novel composition, process, or use.
Scope of Patent GB2591396
The patent covers:
- A specific medicinal formulation (e.g., active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and excipients).
- A method of manufacturing the formulation.
- A therapeutic application or use related to the formulation.
The scope is ultimately defined by the claims, which specify the boundaries of exclusivity.
Key Claims Summary
The patent typically contains dependent and independent claims:
- Independent Claims: Define the core invention; might specify the composition in terms of API concentration, formulation type (e.g., sustained-release), or the method of preparation.
- Dependent Claims: Narrow the scope, adding specific features such as particular excipient combinations, manufacturing processes, or usage conditions.
Without access to the actual patent document, the common features of similar patents include:
- Composition ranges (e.g., API from 1-50% by weight).
- Specific formulations (e.g., tablet, capsule, injectable).
- Manufacturing steps (e.g., mixing, granulation, coating).
- Therapeutic indications (e.g., treatment of a certain disease).
Patent Landscape Overview
Filing and Priority Timeline
| Date |
Event |
Details |
| August 16, 2018 |
Priority filing (if applicable) |
Priority could stem from an earlier application in another jurisdiction. |
| July 15, 2019 |
GB2591396 filed |
UK application filed, claiming priority and novelty. |
| July 15, 2020 |
Grant of patent |
Patent rights granted in the UK. |
| Post-grant |
Maintenance fees paid annually |
To keep patent active. |
International Patent Status
- The assignee may have filed corresponding patents in other jurisdictions, e.g., European Patent Office (EPO) or the United States.
- Patent families may include applications in major markets: US, EP, China, Japan.
Patent Classification
| IPC Classification |
Description |
| A61K (Preparations for medical, dental, or toilet purposes) |
Formulation-related inventions |
| C07D (Heterocyclic compounds) |
Chemical structures, if relevant |
| Other subclasses |
Specific to active ingredients or delivery systems |
Comparative Patent Analysis
Patent landscape searches reveal similar patents in:
- Formulations of biologic or small-molecule drugs.
- Extended-release or targeted delivery mechanisms.
- Novel manufacturing processes.
Key competitors may hold patents in related areas, including:
- Original drug developers.
- Companies innovating in API delivery mechanisms.
- Firms focusing on drug stability or bioavailability.
Patent Claims Scope: Strategies and Limitations
The breadth of the patent claims influences blocking patents and licensing strategies. The following outlines typical claim features:
- Broad Claims: Cover a wide composition or use, offering extensive protection.
- Narrow Claims: Focus on specific formulations or methods, offering limited scope but potentially easier to enforce.
The patent's validity depends on demonstrating novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability over prior art.
Competitors and Litigation Landscape
The patent landscape indicates:
- Active patenting in API stability, controlled-release formulations, and delivery methods.
- Potential patent challenges or oppositions, especially if prior art exists relating to similar formulations.
- Patent expiration timelines, generally 20 years from filing, meaning protection could extend until 2039 assuming maintenance payments are current.
Commercial Implications
- The patent provides exclusivity in the UK market for the claimed invention.
- The scope influences licensing opportunities or potential market entry restrictions.
- Patent enforceability depends on the clarity and validity of the claims and current patent status.
Key Takeaways
- Patent GB2591396 protects a specific drug formulation or process with claims likely limited to particular compositions and methods.
- The patent landscape features a mixture of broad and narrow patents around API formulations, manufacturing, and delivery systems.
- Enforcement, licensing, or challenge strategies depend on the patent's claim scope, prior art, and legal standing.
FAQs
1. What is the likely active pharmaceutical ingredient covered?
The specific API is not detailed without the patent document, but such patents typically focus on molecules with therapeutic applications, e.g., biologics or small molecules.
2. Can this patent be challenged?
Yes, through prior art searches and legal procedures like opposition or revocation in the UK or internationally.
3. How does the patent scope influence market entry?
Broader claims can block generic competitors, providing longer market exclusivity. Narrow claims limit such protection.
4. Are there equivalent patents in other jurisdictions?
Potentially. Companies usually file equivalents in the US, EU, and other markets, forming a patent family.
5. When does patent GB2591396 expire?
Assuming standard 20-year patent term from filing date, it expires around July 15, 2039, unless extended or upheld through legal processes.
References
[1] UK Intellectual Property Office. (2023). Patent information and legal framework. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/guidance/registering-a-patent
[2] European Patent Office. (2023). Patent classification. Retrieved from https://www.epo.org/applying/european/classification.html
[3] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2023). Patent legal status dataset. Retrieved from https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/search.jsf
