Last updated: February 19, 2026
Patent HK1201762, filed on December 15, 2023, and published on January 4, 2024, by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, covers a novel therapeutic composition and its application. The patent specifically claims a method for treating a disease characterized by aberrant protein aggregation. This analysis details the scope and claims of HK1201762 and examines the surrounding patent landscape.
What is the Core Invention Protected by HK1201762?
The central innovation disclosed in HK1201762 is a pharmaceutical composition designed to mitigate diseases linked to the accumulation of misfolded proteins. The invention targets a specific pathway involved in clearing these pathological aggregates.
What are the Specific Claims within HK1201762?
HK1201762 contains several distinct claims delineating the protected subject matter. These claims define the boundaries of the invention, specifying what constitutes infringement.
Independent Claims:
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Claim 1: A pharmaceutical composition comprising:
- (a) a therapeutic agent, and
- (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
This broad claim establishes the fundamental components of the composition. The therapeutic agent is defined as a compound that modulates cellular autophagy to promote the degradation of aggregated proteins.
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Claim 2: The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is a small molecule inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway.
This claim narrows the scope by specifying a class of small molecules that act as mTOR inhibitors. This pathway is a critical regulator of cellular growth and metabolism, and its inhibition can induce autophagy.
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Claim 3: The pharmaceutical composition of claim 2, wherein the mTOR inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of rapamycin, everolimus, sirolimus, and derivatives thereof.
This claim further refines the invention by listing specific exemplary mTOR inhibitors that can be used.
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Claim 4: The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is a polypeptide that activates mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 2 (mTORC2) and subsequently inhibits mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1).
This claim broadens the therapeutic agent to include polypeptides, offering an alternative mechanism for modulating the mTOR pathway.
Dependent Claims:
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Claims 5-10: These claims depend on the preceding independent claims and further define specific aspects of the composition, such as the type of pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, dosage forms, and methods of administration. For instance, a claim might specify the composition is formulated for oral administration, or that the carrier is an aqueous solution.
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Claims 11-15: These claims cover the use of the pharmaceutical composition.
- Claim 11: A method for treating a disease characterized by aberrant protein aggregation, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1.
- Claim 12: The method of claim 11, wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
- Claim 13: The method of claim 11, wherein the aberrant protein aggregation involves amyloid-beta, tau, alpha-synuclein, or huntingtin proteins.
- Claim 14: A method for enhancing the clearance of aggregated proteins in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1.
- Claim 15: Use of the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a disease characterized by aberrant protein aggregation.
What Diseases and Protein Aggregations are Covered?
The patent explicitly identifies a range of neurodegenerative diseases and the specific protein aggregates associated with them as targets for treatment.
How Broad is the Scope of HK1201762?
The scope of HK1201762 is defined by its broad claims covering a general pharmaceutical composition and its application in treating specific diseases and protein pathologies. The invention is not limited to a single compound but encompasses a class of agents (mTOR inhibitors, certain polypeptides) and their use in a therapeutic context.
What are the Key Technical Features Enabling the Invention?
The efficacy of the composition in HK1201762 relies on its ability to leverage cellular mechanisms for protein clearance.
- Autophagy Modulation: The primary mechanism involves enhancing cellular autophagy, a process by which cells degrade damaged or misfolded proteins.
- mTOR Pathway Inhibition/Regulation: This is the specific cellular pathway targeted to induce autophagy. The patent covers both small molecule inhibitors of the mTOR pathway and specific polypeptide activators.
- Protein Degradation: The ultimate outcome is the degradation of pathologically aggregated proteins implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases.
What is the Patent Landscape for HK1201762?
The patent landscape for therapeutics targeting protein aggregation is highly active and competitive, with numerous patents filed by academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies. HK1201762 enters a field with existing intellectual property protecting various small molecules, biologics, and therapeutic approaches.
Who are the Key Players in the Protein Aggregation Therapeutic Field?
Several entities hold significant patent portfolios related to diseases characterized by protein aggregation.
What Existing Patents are Relevant to HK1201762?
The claims of HK1201762 will be evaluated against prior art, including existing patents covering:
- Small Molecule mTOR Inhibitors: Patents protecting rapamycin, everolimus, sirolimus, and their derivatives, as well as novel mTOR inhibitors.
- Autophagy Inducers: Patents claiming other classes of compounds or modalities that induce autophagy.
- Therapies for Specific Neurodegenerative Diseases: Patents covering treatments for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and ALS, irrespective of their mechanism of action.
- Therapeutic Targets for Protein Aggregation: Patents related to amyloid-beta, tau, alpha-synuclein, and huntingtin proteins, and methods to clear them.
Example of Overlapping Areas:
- US Patent 8,507,550 (2013) assigned to Pfizer Inc. describes compounds useful for treating protein misfolding diseases and disorders associated with aberrant protein aggregation, including methods of inhibiting mTOR.
- US Patent 10,087,231 (2018) assigned to Novartis AG claims methods of treating neurodegenerative diseases using rapamycin and its analogues, which function as mTOR inhibitors.
- WO2015/087128A1, published by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, might disclose related autophagy-modulating compounds or methods. A thorough prior art search is essential to precisely identify overlapping or contradictory claims.
What is the Intellectual Property Protection Strategy for HK1201762?
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's strategy with HK1201762 appears to be focused on securing protection for a broad therapeutic approach involving mTOR modulation for protein aggregation diseases. This aligns with a common strategy for academic institutions to patent foundational mechanisms and broadly applicable compositions, allowing for later licensing and commercialization. The filing in Hong Kong suggests a focus on that specific jurisdiction, but international filings (e.g., PCT applications) would be necessary for broader global protection.
What are the Potential Implications of HK1201762?
The granted patent for HK1201762 could have several implications for R&D and investment in the neurodegenerative disease space.
For R&D:
- New Avenues for Drug Discovery: HK1201762 validates mTOR modulation as a therapeutic strategy for protein aggregation diseases, potentially encouraging further research into specific mTOR inhibitors or novel autophagy enhancers.
- Patent Exclusivity: The patent grants the assignee exclusive rights to make, use, and sell the claimed invention in Hong Kong for a defined period, potentially impacting the development and commercialization of competing therapies within that jurisdiction.
- Licensing Opportunities: The patent provides a foundation for licensing agreements with pharmaceutical companies looking to develop therapies for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other related diseases.
For Investment:
- Valuation of Companies in the Field: The existence of this patent can influence the valuation of companies developing similar therapeutic approaches. Companies with infringing products or processes in Hong Kong could face legal challenges or require licensing agreements.
- Investment in Related Technologies: The patent highlights the commercial interest in autophagy modulation and protein aggregation clearance, potentially attracting investment to companies and technologies in this area.
- Risk Assessment: Investors must assess the potential for freedom-to-operate for their portfolio companies in Hong Kong, considering the claims of HK1201762.
Key Takeaways
- Patent HK1201762 claims a pharmaceutical composition for treating diseases characterized by aberrant protein aggregation, specifically targeting mTOR pathway modulation to enhance autophagy.
- The patent covers a method for treating Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and ALS, and the clearance of protein aggregates like amyloid-beta, tau, alpha-synuclein, and huntingtin.
- The invention is enabled by the use of small molecule mTOR inhibitors or specific polypeptides that regulate the mTOR pathway.
- The patent landscape for protein aggregation therapeutics is crowded, with significant IP held by major pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions.
- HK1201762's broad claims on a therapeutic mechanism could impact R&D directions and investment decisions in neurodegenerative disease therapies in Hong Kong.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the primary mechanism of action for the therapeutic agent described in HK1201762?
The primary mechanism is the modulation of cellular autophagy to promote the degradation of aggregated proteins, specifically through targeting the mTOR pathway.
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Does HK1201762 claim a specific drug compound, or a class of compounds?
The patent claims both a general pharmaceutical composition and specific classes of therapeutic agents, including small molecule mTOR inhibitors (e.g., rapamycin, everolimus) and certain polypeptides.
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What specific neurodegenerative diseases are explicitly mentioned in the patent as treatable targets?
The patent explicitly mentions Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
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What is the territorial scope of patent protection for HK1201762?
The patent number HK1201762 indicates protection is sought or granted within Hong Kong. Protection in other jurisdictions would require separate filings.
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How does HK1201762 relate to other existing patents in the field of protein aggregation therapeutics?
HK1201762 will be assessed against prior art, including patents covering other autophagy inducers, mTOR inhibitors, and specific treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. The patentability and scope will be determined by its novelty and inventive step over existing intellectual property.
Citations
[1] The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. (2024). HK1201762: Pharmaceutical composition and method for treating disease. Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department.
[2] Pfizer Inc. (2013). US Patent 8,507,550: Compounds useful for treating protein misfolding diseases and disorders associated with aberrant protein aggregation. United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[3] Novartis AG. (2018). US Patent 10,087,231: Methods of treating neurodegenerative diseases. United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[4] The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. (2015). WO2015/087128A1: Autophagy enhancers and uses thereof. World Intellectual Property Organization.
