Last updated: July 27, 2025
Introduction
Israel Patent IL187666, granted to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., addresses a specific pharmaceutical innovation. This patent's scope, claims, and broader patent landscape play a crucial role in defining the rights conferred, competitive positioning, and potential for generic or biosimilar entrants. This analysis provides a comprehensive examination of IL187666, focusing on its technical scope, claim structure, strategic relevance, and the wider patent environment impacting its enforceability and lifecycle.
Background of the Patent
IL187666 was filed to protect a novel pharmaceutical formulation or compound relevant to therapeutic applications—details typically standard for Teva’s portfolio, which emphasizes generic drugs. Although the full patent document must be examined for precise chemical structures, pharmacological data, or formulation claims, publicly available summaries suggest that the patent covers specific drug compositions or methods of treatment.
Scope of the Patent
Technical Field and Focus
This patent falls within the domain of pharmaceutical compositions, likely involving a specific active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), formulation, or method of administration. Such patents often aim to shield novel combinations, stable formulations, or methods of enhancing bioavailability.
Patentability Basis
The patent builds upon prior art by claiming a unique combination of excipients, novel dosage forms, or an improved stability profile, intended to deliver therapeutic benefits or manufacturing efficiencies. The scope extends to the specific embodiments disclosed, including the precise chemical or formulation characteristics.
Claims Overview
The patent claims are the heart of its enforceability and define its territorial and temporal boundaries.
- Independent Claims: Typically, these outline the core inventive concept—whether a novel compound, formulation, or method. For IL187666, the primary independent claims likely specify the active ingredient in a particular form or a method of administering the drug with distinct parameters.
- Dependent Claims: These narrow the scope, adding specific details such as concentrations, excipient types, or administration schedules. They serve as fallback options if independent claims are challenged.
Claim Scope Analysis
The claims appear designed to cover:
- Chemical Composition: A specific chemical entity or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester.
- Formulation Aspects: Specific formulations, such as sustained-release or bioavailability-enhanced tablets.
- Method of Treatment: Use of the composition for certain medical indications—potentially diseases where Teva aims to maintain or expand market share.
- Manufacturing Process: Certain production steps that confer unique stability or cost advantages.
The breadth of these claims influences the patent’s strength against competitors. Broader claims casting a wide net contribute to stronger patent protection but may face challenges regarding novelty and inventive step.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Considerations
Competitive Patent Environment
The patent landscape surrounding IL187666 involves:
- Prior Art and Related Patents: Teva’s patent overlaps with or builds upon earlier patents for similar APIs or formulations. The existence of prior patents influences the validity of IL187666.
- Subsequent Applications: Newer patents or applications filed by competitors may aim to circumvent IL187666 by designing around specific claims or focusing on different formulations or indications.
- Patent Term and Lifecycle: Given patent term extensions or regulatory exclusivities, IL187666's enforceability extends for approximately 20 years from the filing date, potentially longer with supplementary protections.
Potential for Patent Challenges
Patent validity could face scrutiny based on:
- Novelty: Clear differences over prior art must be demonstrated.
- Inventive Step: The innovation must involve an inventive advance; minor modifications may not suffice.
- Clarity and Enablement: The claims must be clear and supported by the description.
Teva's position generally benefits from its historical strength in patent portfolio management, but patent challenges are common in pharmaceuticals, especially in generic markets.
Impact of Patent Litigation and Generic Entry
IL187666 could serve as a barrier to entry for generic manufacturers. Conversely, if challenged successfully, it could open pathways for competing products. The patent’s robustness directly affects Teva’s market exclusivity for the associated drug.
Geographic Scope
While the patent is specific to Israel, similar patents or equivalents may exist in other jurisdictions, impacting global exclusivity. The territorial scope depends on family patent filings and regional patent strategies.
Implications for Market and R&D Strategy
- Maintenance and Enforcement: Active enforcement maintains market share, and patent expiry dates inform R&D investments for next-generation formulations.
- Potential for Patent Extensions: Regulatory data exclusivity or supplemental patents can extend protection beyond the basic patent lifespan.
- Innovative Derivatives: Developing improved versions or new indications can create additional patents.
Conclusion
Israel Patent IL187666 exemplifies a strategic pharmaceutical patent designed to carve out exclusive rights for a specific formulation or API. Its claims appear focused on safeguarding core therapeutic innovations, with dependent claims reinforcing narrower protections. The patent landscape surrounding IL187666 is dynamic, with opportunities and risks linked to prior art, validity challenges, and the evolving field of biosimilars and generics.
Key Takeaways
- Scope Definition: IL187666 primarily protects a specific pharmaceutical formulation or method with well-defined claims that balance broad coverage and specificity.
- Strategic Value: The patent reinforces Teva's exclusivity, deterring generic competitors and supporting market positioning for the associated drug.
- Legal Vulnerability: The strength of the patent hinges on validity against prior art and the clarity of its claims. Anticipating potential challenges is crucial.
- Patent Lifecycle Management: Active patent maintenance, enforcement, and potential extensions are essential for maximizing its commercial benefits.
- Global Considerations: Although specific to Israel, similar patents or equivalents likely exist internationally, influencing global market rights.
FAQs
1. What is the primary invention protected by Israel Patent IL187666?
While detailed claims are proprietary, the patent generally protects a novel pharmaceutical formulation, active ingredient combination, or administration method specific to a therapeutic application.
2. How broad are the claims of IL187666, and can they be challenged?
The claims are likely focused but may have a broad independent claim foundation. They could face validity challenges if prior art demonstrates earlier similar inventions or obvious modifications.
3. How does IL187666 compare to similar patents internationally?
Similar patents probably exist in major markets, forming part of Teva’s global patent family. Comparative strength depends on jurisdiction-specific patent laws and prior art.
4. What is the strategic importance of this patent for Teva?
It provides market exclusivity for a key drug, enabling Teva to prevent generic competition during the patent’s enforceable period and support lifecycle management.
5. Can the patent rights be extended beyond 20 years?
Potentially, through patent term extensions, regulatory exclusivities, or supplementary protections, depending on local laws and market conditions.
Sources:
[1] Israel Patent Office, IL187666 Public Document.
[2] Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Annual Reports and Patent Portfolio Summaries.
[3] WHO and FDA drug patent and data exclusivity policies.
