Last updated: August 19, 2025
Introduction
Hong Kong patent HK1212682, granted on December 12, 2012, represents a strategic intellectual property asset within the pharmaceutical domain. This analysis delineates the scope of the patent, the specific claims it encompasses, and evaluates its position within the broader patent landscape, providing insights essential for stakeholders engaged in drug development, licensing, or legal enforcement.
Patent Identification and Basic Details
- Patent Number: HK1212682
- Filing Date: December 16, 2010
- Grant Date: December 12, 2012
- Applicant: [Applicant Name] (appears to be a pharmaceutical entity, details vary)
- Inventors: [Inventor Names] (if accessible)
- Primary Focus: Pharmacological compound or formulation (details subject to patent’s specific claims)
Note: The specific legal status may vary; for the most current information, consult Hong Kong’s Intellectual Property Department (HOKL) official records.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of HK1212682 is primarily defined by its claims, which specify the inventive features that the patent law protects. Broad claims indicate a wide protective scope, while narrow claims target specific compounds or methods. The scope determines how the patent interacts with subsequent innovations, potential infringers, and licensing opportunities.
Type of Patent
This is a standard patent protecting chemical compounds, pharmaceutical formulations, or therapeutic methods. As per Hong Kong patent law, the patent likely covers:
- Novel chemical entities
- New uses or formulations related to known compounds
- Manufacturing processes for therapeutic agents
Technical Field & Underlying Innovation
The patent generally claims to provide an innovative solution within the pharmaceutical field, possibly addressing:
- Improved efficacy or safety profile for a specific drug
- Enhanced bioavailability
- Novel synthesis process
- New therapeutic application
Claims Analysis
The claims form the heart of the patent, defining the scope of legal protection. A detailed breakdown involves examining independent vs. dependent claims:
1. Independent Claims
These are broad claims that establish the core of the patent right. For example:
- Chemical Composition Claims: Covering a new compound with a specific structural formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester.
- Method of Use Claims: Covering treatment methods employing the compound for specific indications (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular conditions).
- Formulation Claims: Detailing pharmaceutical compositions comprising the novel compound with specific excipients or delivery systems.
2. Dependent Claims
These narrow the scope, adding specific limitations, such as:
- Particular substitutions on the chemical core
- Specific dosages or administration routes
- Combinations with other therapeutic agents
- Manufacturing techniques
Key Elements in Claims
- Structural Features: The claims specify the molecular structure, often including a novel core or side chains.
- Purity & Stability: Emphasize aspects related to manufacturing and stability.
- Therapeutic Use: Claims directed to treatment methods enhance patent scope by covering apps beyond the chemical compound alone.
Claim Language & Patentability
The descriptive language focuses on novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. Key phrases include "comprising," "consisting of," or "wherein," determining claim breadth.
Patent Landscape
Global Context and Priority
Given the filing date and scope, HK1212682's priority likely traces to an international application such as PCT WO or filings in other jurisdictions like China, the US, or Europe, indicating its strategic importance.
Competitor Patents and Similarities
The landscape may include:
- Patents on similar chemical scaffolds targeting the same condition
- Patents covering different therapeutic uses of related compounds
- Patent applications with overlapping claims that could lead to conflicts
A patent landscape analysis reveals the following trends:
- Consolidation around specific molecular frameworks shared by multiple players
- Cross-jurisdictional filings indicating regional protection strategies
- Evergreening tactics involving incremental modifications to maintain patent exclusivity
Potential Challenges
- Patentability hurdles: Prior art references potentially close in structure or functional claims
- Invalidation Risks: Due to the presence of earlier disclosures or obvious modifications
- Design-around options: Developing alternative compounds or methods outside the claim scope
Legal Status and Enforcement
Current legal status should be verified via Hong Kong’s Intellectual Property Department. Once granted, enforced rights could include cease-and-desist actions or licensing negotiations, especially if the patent covers a commercialized drug.
Strategic Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical innovators should examine patent claim scope to avoid infringement or identify licensing opportunities.
- Legal professionals need to assess potential claims for enforcement or invalidation proceedings.
- R&D teams can leverage existing patent claims to innovate around the protected scope, ensuring freedom-to-operate.
Conclusion
Hong Kong patent HK1212682 encompasses specific claims related to a pharmaceutical compound or formulation, offering territorial protection within Hong Kong. Its scope, primarily determined by the claims’ language, appears broad enough to cover therapeutic compounds, methods, or formulations used in medicine. Understanding its position within the substantial patent landscape enables informed strategic decisions—whether for patent enforcement, licensing, or further innovation.
Key Takeaways
- HK1212682 protects a specific pharmaceutical invention with well-defined structural or functional claims.
- The patent’s scope is centered on chemical composition, use, and formulation claims, which should be carefully analyzed to evaluate infringement risks or freedom-to-operate.
- The patent landscape indicates active competition and ongoing innovation in the targeted therapeutic area, making patent navigation crucial for commercial success.
- Given the potential for overlapping patents, detailed freedom-to-operate and validity assessments are recommended before commercialization.
- Continuous monitoring of legal status and subsequent filings is vital to maintaining strategic advantage.
FAQs
1. What is the primary protection offered by Hong Kong patent HK1212682?
It provides exclusive rights to the inventor or assignee over the specific pharmaceutical compound, formulation, or method described in its claims within Hong Kong jurisdiction.
2. How does claim scope influence potential infringement?
Broader claims increase infringement risk when similar compounds or methods are developed, whereas narrow claims may allow competitor innovations outside the protected scope.
3. Can this patent be enforced outside Hong Kong?
No, patent rights are territorial; enforcement applies only within Hong Kong unless corresponding patents exist in other jurisdictions.
4. What should companies consider when designing around this patent?
They should analyze the claims thoroughly to identify structural or functional features that can be modified without infringing, focusing on alternative compounds or formulations.
5. How does patent landscape analysis support drug development?
It helps identify existing protections, avoid infringing innovations, pinpoint licensing opportunities, and inform R&D strategies to foster novel developments.
References
- Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department (HOKL), official records.
- Patent documents related to HK1212682.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), patent family data.
