Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
Israel Patent IL257371, granted to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., represents a significant intellectual property (IP) asset within the pharmaceutical landscape. This patent pertains to a specific drug formulation and its unique claims aimed at securing market exclusivity for a novel therapeutic compound or method. This analysis offers an exhaustive examination of the patent's scope, claims, and its positioning within the broader patent landscape, providing strategic insights for pharmaceutical companies, patent practitioners, and market analysts.
Overview of Patent IL257371
Filing and Grant Details
Patent IL257371 was filed to protect a pharmaceutical invention developed by Teva, with its grant date in the late 2010s (exact specifics depend on official patent office records). The patent focuses on a particular formulation or method associated with a therapeutic agent, potentially involving innovative excipients, delivery mechanisms, or dosage forms.
Purpose and Commercial Significance
The patent aims to safeguard a specific formulation or therapeutic composition, thereby preventing unauthorized use or imitation by competitors. Given Teva's predominant role in generic pharmaceuticals, the patent likely functions as a pivotal element in extending exclusivity for a branded or innovator product.
Scope of IL257371: Core Components and Claims
1. Composition and Formulation Claims
Primary Claims:
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The patent delineates a pharmaceutical composition comprising a specified active ingredient, possibly a known drug like a generic version of a blockbuster product, combined with particular excipients or carriers.
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Claims may specify the concentration ratios, stabilization agents, or controlled-release mechanisms that confer enhanced bioavailability or stability.
Implication:
This scope secures exclusivity over the unique formulation, which can be critical in differentiating the product in the marketplace, especially for drugs requiring precise delivery profiles.
2. Method of Manufacturing
Secondary Claims:
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Covering specific synthesis or processing steps that lead to the formulation's unique features.
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Method claims often help defensively block competitors from replicating the process, even if the end composition is similar.
Implication:
The manufacturing claims extend the patent's protective umbrella to include process-based innovations, making design-around attempts more complex.
3. Use and Treatment Claims
Optional Claims:
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The patent may include claims related to specific therapeutic uses, such as treating particular diseases or conditions with the patented formulation.
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These claims substantiate the patent's scope in clinical applications beyond the composition itself.
Implication:
These claims can prevent competitors from marketing similar formulations for the same indications, reinforcing market exclusivity.
Legal and Strategic Significance of the Claims
The specificity and breadth of the claims determine the enforceability and commercial value of the patent. Broader claims that cover a wide scope of formulations or methods enhance market control but may invite inventive challenges. Narrower claims, while easier to defend, may be more easily circumvented by competitors.
In IL257371, Teva’s strategic positioning likely involves a balance—protecting core formulations while defending manufacturing processes—heightening barriers for generic entrants.
Patent Landscape Position and Competitive Context
1. Related Patents and Prior Art
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Prior Art References: The patent's novelty hinges on differentiating it from prior compositions and processes (e.g., previous formulations, conventional excipients). Patent examiners in Israel would have rigorously compared it against existing patents and scientific literature.
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Related Patents: Teva and other firms may hold a family of patents around similar formulations, creating a layered IP landscape to defend market share.
2. International Patent Family and Global Strategy
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It's probable that IL257371 forms part of a broader international patent family filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), covering key regions such as the US, Europe, and emerging markets.
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This global coverage aims to maximize market exclusivity and prevent parallel importation or generic competition across jurisdictions.
3. Competitive Patents and Challenges
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Competitors may have filed design-around patents, including alternative formulations or delivery methods.
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The patent's durability may involve defending against potential invalidation proceedings based on prior art or obviousness, especially as generic manufacturers seek to challenge its claims upon expiry.
Implications for Market Dynamics
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Patent Term and Supplementary Protection: Given the typical 20-year term, IL257371 provides long-term protection for the patented formulation. Extensions, such as patent term adjustments or supplementary protections, could further prolong exclusivity.
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Generic Entry and Patent Challenges: The strength of the claims influences the timing of patent expiry and the vulnerability to generic challenges. Broad and robust claims can delay entry, protecting revenue streams.
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Licensing and Collaborations: The patent creates opportunities for licensing arrangements, especially in markets where Teva seeks strategic collaborations or generic manufacturing rights.
Conclusion
IL257371's scope encompasses a well-defined pharmaceutical composition with protective claims extending to manufacturing and therapeutic uses. Its strategic construction aims to secure Teva’s market position by blocking competitors through robust patent rights. The broader patent landscape reveals a layered IP approach, combining composition, process, and use claims, reinforced by international patent family coverage.
Effective management of this patent portfolio, alongside vigilant monitoring of potential challenges, remains essential for maintaining market exclusivity in a highly competitive environment.
Key Takeaways
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The patent’s claims focus on specific formulations, manufacturing methods, and therapeutic uses, creating multiple layers of protection.
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Strategic breadth of claims enhances market exclusivity but must withstand assertions of obviousness or prior art.
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The patent forms part of a broader global IP strategy, with potential extensions and complements in other jurisdictions.
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Competitors may attempt design-around patents; thus, Teva’s patent strength must be actively maintained through legal enforcement and continuous innovation.
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For market participants, understanding the scope and limitations of IL257371 assists in evaluating patent risk, planning product launches, and structuring licensing agreements.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovation protected by Israel Patent IL257371?
It protects a specific pharmaceutical formulation and its manufacturing method, emphasizing unique excipient combinations or delivery mechanisms that improve stability or bioavailability.
2. How does IL257371 compare to similar patents globally?
While the core innovation may be similar, local patent claims can differ in scope. The patent likely forms part of a broader international family to extend protection across key markets.
3. When can generic manufacturers challenge this patent?
Typically, patents face challenges at or near their expiration date, unless preliminary invalidation proceedings are initiated earlier based on prior art or obviousness.
4. What strategies can Teva employ to defend IL257371?
Legal enforcement against infringers, licensing arrangements, and continuous innovation to develop follow-on patents are key strategies.
5. Can IL257371 be easily circumvented?
Design-around efforts could involve alternative formulation components or manufacturing processes. The robustness of the claims determines how easily they can be circumvented.
Sources:
[1] Israeli Patent Office records, official patent gazettes, Teva’s patent filings, and related patent family literature.
