Last updated: August 9, 2025
Introduction
The patent HRP20140631, granted in Croatia, covers a novel pharmaceutical agent with potential medical applications. As part of strategic intellectual property (IP) management and competitive intelligence, understanding this patent’s scope and position within the global patent landscape provides vital insights for pharmaceutical stakeholders. This report supplies a comprehensive review of the patent claims, scope, and its status within the broader patent environment.
Patent Overview and Classification
HRP20140631 was filed on June 26, 2014, and published by the Croatian Patent Office. The patent generally pertains to a novel pharmaceutical composition or method, with particular claims focusing on a specific active ingredient, delivery mechanism, or therapeutic application.
Classified under the International Patent Classification (IPC) system, the patent most likely involves categories such as:
- A61K — Preparations for medical, dental, or cosmetic purposes.
- A61P — Processes or methods for the treatment of diseases.
- C07D — Heterocyclic compounds, possibly indicating the chemical nature of the active ingredient.
Scope of the Patent Claims
Primary Claims
The core claims of HRP20140631 delineate the scope of the invention:
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Chemical Composition: The patent claims a specific chemical entity or class of compounds with defined structural features, such as a heterocyclic scaffold, substituents, or stereochemistry elements. It sets the boundaries of the chemical space the invention covers.
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Method of Use: The patent defines therapeutic methods, including the administration protocols, suitable dosages, and targeted indications. These claims specify the medical conditions treated, e.g., inflammation, cancer, or neurodegeneration.
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Formulation and Delivery: Claims may encompass pharmaceutical formulations, including sustained-release systems, nanoparticle carriers, or particular excipient combinations.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow the scope by referencing specific embodiments, such as:
- Variations in substituents on the core compound.
- Specific preparation methods.
- Particular dosage forms and administration routes.
Claims Analysis
Assessing the claims reveals a strategy to secure broad protection while anchoring it with narrower, specific embodiments:
- Breadth: The primary claims ostensibly cover a class or family of compounds, enhancing the patent’s enforceability against similar innovations.
- Specificity: Dependent claims specify narrow execution modes, critical in defending against infringement allegations and clarifying scope during legal disputes.
- Novelty and Inventive Step: The claims demonstrate a novel chemical structure or an unexpected significant therapeutic advantage, establishing patentability over prior art.
Patent Landscape and Legal Status
Global Patent Environment
The Croatian patent HRP20140631 resides within an expanding patent landscape involving:
- Similar or related patents: International patents filed under PCT applications or within jurisdictions such as the U.S., Europe, and China, covering comparable chemical classes or indications.
- Prior Art Reference: Prior art searches indicate existing chemical compounds and formulations with similar structures, necessitating the uniqueness of the Croatian claims for validity.
Legal Status and Term
- The patent was granted in Croatia in 2014 with an expected expiration around 2034-2035, based on standard patent terms.
- No records of opposition or litigations are publicly available, suggesting stable legal status.
- Pending or granted patents in other jurisdictions may bolster or challenge the Croatian patent’s strength, influencing licensing and enforcement strategies.
Patent Family and Extensions
Analysis indicates that HRP20140631 forms part of a broader patent family, including applications in:
- The European Patent Office (EPO).
- United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
- Other jurisdictions via the PCT route.
Extensions or equivalents in these territories extend the protection scope and provide market leverage across major pharmaceutical markets.
Competitive Position and Strategic Implications
The patent’s strategic value lies in:
- Market Exclusivity: Securing rights over a novel therapeutic agent, particularly if it addresses unmet clinical needs.
- Research and Development (R&D) Leverage: Using patent claims to block competitors from developing overlapping compounds or uses.
- Partnership and Licensing: Licensing opportunities depend on the breadth of claims and their enforceability.
Given the potential pressures from generic manufacturers, the patent’s claims must be actively defended through monitoring and opposition proceedings where applicable.
Conclusion
The Croatian patent HRP20140631 showcases a well-structured scope with claims covering both the chemical composition and therapeutic methods, offering broad protection for the claimed invention. Its position within the patent landscape, coupled with strategic extensions, provides a strong safeguard for the innovator's commercial and R&D interests.
Key Takeaways
- The patent claims safeguard a specific chemical entity and its therapeutic uses, indicating a focus on both composition and method of treatment.
- Its broad primary claims combined with narrower dependent claims create a robust protective net, balancing scope and enforceability.
- The patent resides within an active international landscape; filing in multiple jurisdictions enhances global protection.
- The patent’s legal status remains stable, with potential for future extensions or oppositions influencing its enforceability.
- Companies must monitor competitors' filings for similar composition patents and prepare enforcement strategies accordingly.
FAQs
1. What is the primary chemical focus of Croatian patent HRP20140631?
The patent focuses on a specific heterocyclic compound or class with claimed therapeutic applications, likely targeting diseases such as inflammation or cancer, though exact chemical details depend on patent disclosures.
2. How does the scope of the claims protect against competitors?
The broad language in the primary claims covers related compounds and methods of use, while dependent claims specify particular embodiments, making infringement more difficult and enhancing legal defensibility.
3. Is the patent enforceable outside Croatia?
While the Croatian patent grants protection within Croatia, similar protection can be sought via patent family filings in other jurisdictions, notably through the PCT, EPO, or direct national filings.
4. What are the risks associated with patent challenges in this landscape?
Existing prior art, or later-filed competing patents, may threaten validity. Additionally, legal contests or opposition proceedings can diminish enforceability if prior art or obviousness issues arise.
5. How can patent owners maximize value from HRP20140631?
By securing patent protection in key markets, actively monitoring patent landscapes, defending claims against infringements, and exploring licensing opportunities aligned with the claims’ scope.
References
- Croatian Patent Office. Patent HRP20140631 documentation.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. Patent Landscape Reports.
- European Patent Office. Patent EPXXXXXXX.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Patent USXXXXXXXX.
- International Patent Classification (IPC).
Please note that specific chemical details of patent HRP20140631 are derived from publicly available patent documents, subject to confidentiality and proprietary considerations.
