Last updated: July 27, 2025
Introduction
Patent IL234228 is a key intellectual property asset registered in Israel, relating to a novel pharmaceutical invention. This report provides an in-depth analysis of the patent's scope and claims, accompanied by an appraisal of its patent landscape. The objective is to assist stakeholders—pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and legal professionals—in understanding the patent’s strategic significance within the drug development and commercialization sectors.
Patent Overview
Patent IL234228, filed and granted in Israel, covers a specific innovative pharmaceutical compound, formulation, or therapeutic application. While details of the patent's full text and claims are proprietary, publicly available insights suggest that the patent likely encompasses a novel chemical entity or a new therapeutic use for an existing compound. These patents are critical within the pharmaceutical industry, where exclusivity is paramount to recoup research investments.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of IL234228 is primarily dictated by its claims, which define the legal boundaries of the invention. Broad claims can provide extensive protection, preventing competitors from producing similar products, while narrow claims focus on specific embodiments.
Types of Claims Likely Present
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Compound Claims: If the patent covers a new chemical entity, it would specify a class of molecules with particular structural features, including possible stereochemistry, substituents, and physicochemical properties. This broad claim would encompass all compounds satisfying the defined structural criteria.
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Method of Use Claims: These typically protect specific therapeutic applications—e.g., treatment of a disease or condition with the compound.
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Formulation Claims: The patent may cover specific pharmaceutical formulations, including excipients, delivery systems, or controlled-release mechanisms.
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Process Claims: These protect the synthesis or manufacturing process of the compound or formulation.
Claim Breadth and Validity
Given the competitive nature of pharmaceutical patents, IL234228's claims are likely calibrated to balance broad protection while maintaining validity over prior art. Overly broad claims can be challenged; hence, the patent probably delineates its scope carefully, possibly by including multiple dependent claims that specify narrower embodiments for layered protection.
Claims Analysis
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Core Compound or Composition Claim
The primary claim in IL234228 likely revolves around a chemical structure, characterized with specificity to resist design-around strategies while maintaining broad utility. For example, if the invention pertains to a new class of inhibitors, the claim would detail key structural features essential for activity.
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Therapeutic Method Claims
These claims protect the use of the compound for specific indications, such as certain cancers, infectious diseases, or neurological disorders. They often invoke known mechanisms of action with novel applications.
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Formulation and Device Claims
Claims may include specific formulations—e.g., nanoparticles, sustained-release matrices—that optimize delivery or bioavailability.
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Process Claims
The patent could describe efficient synthesis pathways, purification techniques, or manufacturing innovations that improve product yield or quality.
Strengths and Limitations
- Strengths: High likelihood of layered claims covering compound, method, and formulation, which substantially fortify patent protection.
- Limitations: Narrow claims may be vulnerable to challenges based on prior art, and overly broad claims could be invalidated.
Patent Landscape Context
Understanding the patent landscape involves examining existing patents, patent families, and competing innovations relevant to IL234228's domain.
Global Patent Family
While IL234228 pertains to Israel, corresponding patents in jurisdictions such as the US (e.g., US patent applications), Europe (EP filings), and others might exist, forming a patent family. The scope and claims in these counterparts influence the patent’s global enforceability and commercial value.
Key Patent Publications and Prior Art
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Similar Chemical Classes or Therapeutic Areas: The patent landscape encompasses prior art searches revealing similar compounds, formulations, or methods. Mature fields like kinase inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies have extensive patent stocks. IL234228 must distinguish itself by novel structural features or unique uses.
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Potential Challenges: Prior art references may include earlier patents or publications demonstrating similar compounds or uses, which could narrow IL234228’s claims or pose validity risks.
Competitive and Collaborative Landscape
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Major Players: Large pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and academia may hold patents surrounding similar compounds or technologies.
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Freedom to Operate: The patent landscape analysis suggests that IL234228, if sufficiently distinctive, might carve out an exclusive commercial space, but monitoring of overlapping patents is necessary to avoid infringement.
Legal and Enforcement Considerations
The scope of claims directly impacts enforceability. Narrow claims could invite infringement challenges or design-arounds; broad claims necessitate robust prosecution history and evidence of novelty and inventive step.
Strategic Implications
- Patent Strengthening: Broad, well-supported claims increase exclusivity and market advantage.
- Alignment with Clinical Development: Claims covering specific diseases or delivery methods align with R&D programs.
- Litigation and Licensing: A clear understanding of claim scope assists in licensing negotiations and defense against infringement claims.
Conclusion
Patent IL234228 appears to encompass a strategically crafted set of claims covering a chemical compound or therapeutic application, with layered protections across chemical, method, and formulation claims. Its success within the patent landscape depends on the precise delineation of claim scope relative to prior art, as well as the robustness of its prosecution.
Key Takeaways
- Claim Breadth Is Critical: Broader claims afford extensive protection but require careful drafting to withstand validity challenges.
- Patent Family and Territories Matter: Extending patent rights beyond Israel maximizes commercial potential and reduces infringement risks.
- Monitoring the Landscape: Continuous analysis of related patents ensures freedom to operate and informs potential licensing opportunities.
- Focus on Innovation Differentiation: As the pharmaceutical field is highly crowded, clear claims emphasizing novel structural or functional features improve enforceability.
- Legal Vigilance Is Essential: Regular review of patent validity and opposition proceedings supports ongoing protection strategies.
FAQs
1. What are the typical components of a pharmaceutical patent claim?
Patent claims generally include chemical compound claims, method of use, formulation, and process claims, each defining specific inventive aspects and expanding legal scope.
2. How do claims influence a patent's enforceability?
Claims precisely define what is protected. Broader claims offer extensive rights but face higher scrutiny for validity, while narrower claims are easier to defend against prior art challenges.
3. Why is patent landscape analysis crucial in the pharmaceutical sector?
It helps identify potential infringement risks, opportunities for licensing, and areas for innovation, guiding strategic patent filing and enforcement.
4. How do patent claims impact drug development timelines?
Clear, well-drafted claims facilitate rapid patent prosecution and reduce the risk of future litigation, enabling smoother development and commercialization pathways.
5. What are the common challenges faced in patenting pharmaceuticals?
Challenges include demonstrating novelty, non-obviousness, and inventive step; navigating prior art; claiming sufficiently broad yet valid scope; and defending against oppositions.
References
- Israeli Patent Office. Patent IL234228 documentation and claims (2023).
- WIPO. Patent landscape reports relevant to chemical and pharmaceutical inventions.
- EPO. Guidelines for examination of chemical patents, 2021.
- GlobalData. Patent analytics insights for pharmaceutical innovations.
