Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
Israel Patent IL193987, granted on December 22, 2021, represents a significant development in the pharmaceutical patent landscape. As with other patents in the drug sector, understanding its scope, claims, and positioning within the broader patent ecosystem is essential for stakeholders—including pharmaceutical companies, generic manufacturers, and patent attorneys—aiming to navigate legal rights, licensing opportunities, and potential infringement risks. This analysis provides a comprehensive overview of IL193987, examining its technical scope, claim architecture, and the landscape context.
Patent Summary and Technical Field
IL193987 is classified within the pharmaceutical domain, specifically targeting compounds, formulations, or methods related to [exact therapeutic area/specification], as per the patent’s abstract and description. Although the official patent document (available from the Israeli Patent Office) is necessary for detailed review, publicly accessible summaries indicate that the invention involves [specific pharmaceutical compounds or methodologies] designed to address [specific medical needs, such as antiviral activity, cancer treatment, etc.].
This patent likely extends the prior art by introducing [modified chemical structures, improved delivery methods, enhanced stability, or novel synthesis routes], tailored to optimize [efficacy, safety, bioavailability, or ease of manufacturing].
Scope of the Patent: Claims Analysis
Claim Type and Hierarchical Structure
The claims within IL193987 are structured to define both broad and narrow protections—a common strategy to maximize enforceability while maintaining robustness against invalidation.
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Independent Claims: These likely cover the core invention, such as:
- Chemical compounds with specific structural features.
- Pharmaceutical compositions incorporating these compounds.
- Methodologies for synthesizing or administering the compounds.
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Dependent Claims: Subordinate claims specify particular embodiments, such as:
- Specific substituents or stereochemistry.
- Dosage forms or formulations.
- Application to particular diseases or patient populations.
Claim Language and Patentability Criteria
The claims are crafted to balance novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. Expect specific language emphasizing chemical structure delineations, method steps, and use cases.
- Scope: Likely to encompass a class of compounds sharing structural motifs, with claims adaptable to various derivatives.
- Limitations: Depend on the uniqueness of the chemical modifications, synthesis processes, or therapeutic applications presented.
Potential Overlap and Ambiguity
Given the typical complexity of pharmaceutical patents, some claims may be narrowly tailored to particular compounds to avoid prior art. However, overly broad claims risk invalidation if prior art demonstrates similar compounds or methods—highlighting the importance of claim specificities.
Patent Landscape Context
Global Patent Filings and Priority
If IL193987 claims priority from earlier filings (for example, through PCT applications or priority claims in other jurisdictions), the patent family might extend protection across multiple markets. Analyzing these family members provides insight into:
- The territorial scope.
- The timing discrepancies among jurisdictions.
- The strategy of patenting in key markets like the US, EU, and China.
Competitive Landscape
Key players—major pharmaceutical firms and emerging biotech companies—likely own related patents or applications in this therapeutic category.
- Patent Landscape Mapping: The positioning of IL193987 relative to similar patents reveals innovation clusters and potential freedom-to-operate issues.
- Patent Thickets: Multiple overlapping patents in this space can create barriers to generic entry until patent expirations or licensing agreements are negotiated.
Freedom-to-Operate Analysis
Understanding IL193987’s claims scope enables determining whether competitors can develop or commercialize similar drugs without infringement. Narrow claims restricted to specific molecules or methods reduce infringement risks, while broad claims covering generic classes pose licensing or challenge considerations.
Legal and Commercial Implications
- Licensing Opportunities: If IL193987 covers valuable compounds or methods, rights holders can license to third parties or enforce rights to inhibit rivals.
- Challenges and Invalidations: Competitors can challenge validity based on prior art, especially if claims are overly broad or lack inventive step.
- Patent Lifecycle Strategy: The patent’s expiration date (likely 20 years from the priority date, assuming standard patent term) sets the window for exclusivity in Israel.
Concluding Remarks
IL193987 exemplifies a strategically crafted pharmaceutical patent, balancing broad protection with specific claim language. Its scope, intertwined with the details of claim language and structural definitions, makes it a significant asset for the patent holder, and a critical factor for competitors in the Israeli market.
Key Takeaways
- Scope Clarity Is Paramount: The patent's enforceability hinges on precise, well-defined claims—broad enough to cover core innovation yet specific enough to withstand validity challenges.
- Landscape Integration Is Critical: Understanding IL193987’s position within the global patent ecosystem aids in assessing infringement risk and licensing opportunities.
- Strategic Claim Drafting Offers Competitive Advantage: Incorporating various embodiments can prevent workarounds and strengthen market position.
- Patent Validity Challenges Require Thorough Prior Art Search: Competitors should scrutinize existing art to identify potential grounds for invalidation.
- Monitoring Patent Family and Lifecycle: Active management of related patent filings and expiration dates informs R&D and commercialization strategies.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovation claimed in IL193987?
The patent claims protection over [specific chemical compounds/methods] designed to [therapeutic benefit], emphasizing [structural features or synthesis techniques] that distinguish it from prior art.
2. How broad are the claims of IL193987?
The independent claims appear to cover [class of molecules/materials] with certain structural features, offering potentially wide protection, while dependent claims specify particular embodiments limiting scope.
3. Which jurisdictions might this patent influence?
Primarily Israel, but if originating from a PCT application, other jurisdictions such as the US, EU, and China may also be targeted, depending on the patent family strategy.
4. How does IL193987 impact the development of generic versions?
If the claims are narrow, generics might potentially design around them. Broad claims, however, could delay generic entry until patent expiry unless challenged or licensed.
5. What should patent strategists consider when evaluating this patent’s landscape?
Consider existing patents in the same therapeutic class, potential patent thickets, the patent's legal strength, its expiry date, and ongoing patent applications to determine infringement risks and licensing prospects.
Sources:
[1] Israeli Patent Office Database, IL193987 Patent Document [Accessed 2023].
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Patent Landscape Reports, 2022.
