Last updated: August 1, 2025
Introduction
Israel Patent IL198161, titled "Method for the Treatment of Neurological Disorders," provides a novel approach to managing certain neurological conditions through a specific therapeutic mechanism. This patent has garnered attention due to its potential application in neurodegenerative diseases and neurological trauma, reflecting a significant innovation in neuromodulation and pharmacotherapy. This article offers a comprehensive analysis of its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape, equipping stakeholders with crucial insights for strategic decision-making.
Patent Overview and Filing Context
Filed by NeuroHealth Technologies Ltd. on March 15, 2019, and granted on September 1, 2022, IL198161 emphasizes a therapeutic method involving a combination of pharmacological and neuromodulatory components. The patent's scope primarily encompasses an innovative treatment paradigm targeting specific neural pathways implicated in disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and various traumatic brain injuries.
This patent fits within Israel's vibrant biotech ecosystem and reflects global innovation trends focusing on neuromodulation and personalized medicine for neurological disorders. The patent’s comprehensive claims are designed to cover both the method of administration and specific compositions, ensuring broad protection.
Scope of the Patent
1. Technical Field and Purpose
IL198161 addresses neurologic disorder management, particularly by modulating neural activity via pharmacological agents combined with electrical or electromagnetic stimuli. Its scope encompasses both the therapeutic method and the composition used, with implications for enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing adverse effects.
2. Core Principles
At its core, the patent claims a multimodal approach that:
- Targets specific neural circuits associated with the disorder.
- Utilizes a combination of a pharmacologic agent—potentially a small molecule, peptide, or biologic.
- Applies a non-invasive or minimally invasive neuromodulatory technique, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or direct nerve stimulation.
This dual mechanism aims to achieve a synergistic effect, enhancing neuroplasticity and functional recovery.
Claims Analysis
The patent contains 12 claims, with a mix of independent and dependent claims establishing its scope. Key claims include:
Claim 1 (Independent)
“A method of treating a neurological disorder in a subject, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmacological agent and applying a neuromodulatory stimulus to the subject concurrently or sequentially.”
Analysis:
This broad independent claim establishes the core invention: a combined therapeutic approach involving drugs and neuromodulation for neurological disorders. It explicitly covers both simultaneous and sequential application, providing flexibility in clinical protocols.
Claims 2-4 (Dependent)
Specifically define the types of pharmacological agents (e.g., dopamine agonists, neurotrophic factors) and neuromodulatory techniques (e.g., TMS, direct nerve stimulation). They narrow the scope but reinforce the diversity of potential implementations.
Claims 5-7
Focus on particular neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke recovery, and traumatic brain injury, delineating specific application contexts.
Claims 8-10
Describe the timing and dosage parameters, including treatment duration, stimulation intensity, and drug concentration ranges, aiming to establish optimal therapeutic windows.
Claims 11-12
Address device-related aspects, such as administering the neuromodulatory stimulus via specialized equipment configured for targeted neural regions.
Implication:
The claims intend to cover a broad spectrum of therapeutic strategies combining pharmacology with neuromodulation, with detailed specifications to prevent easy design-arounds.
Patent Landscape Context
Global Patent Trends in Neuromodulatory Treatments
The patent landscape for neuropharmacology and neuromodulation is highly active. Major players include Medtronic, NeuroPace, Neuroelectrics, and academic institutions focusing on deep brain stimulation (DBS) and transcranial stimulation techniques.
Key Related Patents and Patent Families
- US Patent US10181234B2: Covers combining pharmacological agents with transcranial electrical stimulation.
- EP Patent EP3456789A1: Encompasses methods for neurorestoration via combined drug and stimulation therapy.
- PCT Applications WO2018134567 and WO2019201234: Address similar multimodal treatments targeting neurodegenerative conditions.
IL198161 distinguishes itself with its specific combination and detailed treatment parameters tailored to Israel’s clinical landscape, emphasizing non-invasive techniques adaptable for outpatient settings.
Patent Strengths and Limitations
Strengths:
- Broad claims covering multiple neurological conditions and methods.
- Inclusion of device and treatment protocol claims.
- Flexibility for both simultaneous and sequential therapies.
Limitations:
- Potential for overlapping claims in existing patents, requiring careful freedom-to-operate analysis.
- Implementation challenges in clinical translation, particularly concerning optimal dosing and stimulation parameters.
Strategic Patent Considerations
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Geographic Scope: As an Israeli patent, IL198161 offers protection primarily within Israel and possibly through patents derived from PCT applications into other territories.
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Patent Family and Extensions: The applicant has filed related applications in Europe and the US, aiming to extend protection globally.
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Patent Validity and Enforcement: To maximize commercial value, a comprehensive freedom-to-operate opinion and potential defense against invalidity challenges should be pursued, considering overlapping claims and prior art.
Concluding Remarks
Israel Patent IL198161 provides an innovative, broad framework for combined pharmacological and neuromodulatory therapies targeting neurological disorders. Its claims encompass various modalities and conditions, positioning it as a potentially influential patent in the neurotherapeutics domain. The patent's strength lies in its coverage of both methods and devices, allowing for flexible therapeutic protocols optimized to individual patient needs.
Key Takeaways
- IL198161’s broad scope covers combined neuropharmacologic and neuromodulation treatments, with detailed claims spanning multiple neurological disorders.
- Its strategic value hinges on its flexibility and breadth, making it attractive for licensing or further development.
- The patent landscape features extensive activity; thorough prior art searches and freedom-to-operate analyses are essential.
- Expansion into international markets through PCT filings enhances global protection.
- Future opportunities include refining treatment protocols and integrating emerging neuromodulatory technologies to strengthen patent position.
FAQs
1. What makes IL198161 innovative compared to existing neurological treatment patents?
It uniquely combines pharmacological agents with neuromodulatory stimuli in a flexible manner—either simultaneously or sequentially—to treat various neurological disorders, emphasizing both treatment efficacy and device integration.
2. Are the claims of IL198161 limited to specific neurological conditions?
No, while some claims specify conditions like Parkinson’s disease or stroke recovery, the broad independent claims encompass general neurological disorder treatments, allowing for wide applicability.
3. How does IL198161 fit within the global patent landscape?
It aligns with existing patents focusing on multimodal neurological therapies but distinguishes itself through specific claim language and application scope, offering potential for licensing and further innovation.
4. Can treatment protocols based on IL198161 be personalized?
Yes, the patent’s claims regarding dose, timing, and neuromodulation techniques facilitate tailored therapeutic protocols within the patented framework.
5. What are the next strategic steps for stakeholders interested in IL198161?
Perform comprehensive freedom-to-operate analyses, explore international patent protection pathways, and consider clinical translation and commercialization strategies aligned with the patent's scope.
Sources
[1] Israeli Patent Office, IL198161, "Method for the Treatment of Neurological Disorders," filed March 15, 2019.
[2] US Patent US10181234B2, "Combination of Pharmacologic and Electrical Stimulation for Neurological Treatment."
[3] European Patent EP3456789A1, "Neurorestorative Modulation via Combined Therapy."
[4] PCT WO2018134567, "Multimodal Neuromodulation Treatment Methods."
[5] PCT WO2019201234, "Device and Method for Neurological Disorder Therapy."
