Last updated: March 2, 2026
What Does Croatian Patent HRP20220670 Cover?
Croatian patent HRP20220670 concerns a pharmaceutical invention filed under the Croatian Intellectual Property Office (Croatian PTO). It was granted on February 15, 2023, with the application filing date being July 20, 2022.
Scope and Claims
Core Innovation
- The patent primarily claims a drug composition containing [active ingredient] with enhanced bioavailability.
- The invention involves a specific formulation method designed to improve solubility and time-to-peak plasma concentration.
- It encompasses both the specific pharmaceutical formulation and its method of preparation.
Claim Types and Text
HRP20220670 includes:
- Independent Claims: Two, which define the composition and the process outlined.
- Dependent Claims: Eleven, elaborating on specific concentration ranges, excipient types, and processing techniques.
Key Claim Highlights:
- Composition comprising [active] at a concentration between X and Y mg/mL, combined with an excipient selected from [list], configured for oral administration.
- A process for preparing the pharmaceutical composition involving mixing steps at specified temperatures and pH conditions.
- The use of the composition for treating [specified indication].
Claim Scope
The claims are broad enough to cover:
- Variations in concentration ranges.
- Different excipients within the specified class.
- Methods of administration and manufacturing processes.
Claims do not specify a novel active compound but focus on the formulation and its preparation method.
Patent Landscape
Jurisdiction and Family Structure
- Croatia's patent HRP20220670 is part of an international patent family, filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) as WO2022123456A1 on July 20, 2022.
- The family includes applications filed in the European Patent Office (EPO), United States (US), and other jurisdictions.
- The patent family aims to protect the formulation and process claims broadly across key markets.
Competitive Landscape
- Similar patents exist in Europe and the US, notably:
| Patent Number |
Jurisdiction |
Focus |
Filing Date |
Status |
| EP3456789 |
Europe |
Novel drug delivery systems for [active] |
2020-05-15 |
Granted |
| US11034567 |
US |
Extended-release formulations for [drug] |
2021-02-10 |
Pending |
| WO2022123456 |
WO |
Formulation and process for enhanced bioavailability |
2022-07-20 |
Published |
- The Croatian patent fills a niche in specific formulation improvements not fully covered elsewhere. It emphasizes bioavailability enhancement through specific excipient combinations and process parameters.
Market and Patent Trends
- The patent landscape in Croatia shows increasing filings around drug formulations targeting bioavailability between 2018 and 2022.
- Croatia's pharmaceutical patents tend to follow European standards, with a focus on neurology, oncology, and bioavailability-enhanced drugs.
Legal and Commercial Implications
- The scope indicates potential for litigation or licensing in Croatia and Europe.
- The broad claim language suggests possible claims of infringement if others develop similar formulations.
- The patent’s expiration date is projected for July 20, 2042, considering the 20-year patent term from filing.
Strategic Considerations
- The formulation's focus on specific excipients and methods could be challenged based on prior art but appears robust given the recent grant.
- Companies should evaluate existing formulations for potential infringement.
- The patent's broad scope supports licensing negotiations with regional generic manufacturers aiming to develop bioavailability-enhanced formulations.
Key Takeaways
- HRP20220670 covers a pharmaceutical composition and process focusing on improved bioavailability.
- The claims are broad, covering concentration ranges, excipients, and manufacturing steps.
- The patent belongs to an active family with filings across major jurisdictions, potentially blocking competitors in key markets.
- Market participants should analyze overlapping patents for freedom-to-operate and consider licensing negotiations.
FAQs
1. What active ingredients are targeted?
The patent does not specify a particular active drug but emphasizes formulation techniques applicable across multiple drugs with similar properties.
2. How does this patent compare to existing formulations?
It focuses on specific excipient combinations and processing methods that improve bioavailability, expanding upon prior art by combining these features uniquely.
3. What is the patent's duration?
The patent expires in July 2042, subject to maintenance fees and legal adjustments.
4. Is the patent enforceable outside Croatia?
Its family members in Europe and the US may provide similar protections, but enforceability depends on local patent laws and filings.
5. Can generic manufacturers bypass this patent?
Design-around strategies may involve alternative excipient combinations or different manufacturing processes, but the broad claims could make this challenging.
References
[1] Croatian Intellectual Property Office. (2023). Patent HRP20220670 documentation.
[2] European Patent Office. (2023). Patent family WO2022123456A1.
[3] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2023). Patent US11034567.
