Last updated: August 4, 2025
Introduction
Japan Patent JP2002012587, filed on July 27, 2001, and granted on September 17, 2002, represents a strategic intellectual property asset in the pharmaceutical sector. As a critical element of patent analysis, understanding its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape is vital for stakeholders—including pharmaceutical developers, legal practitioners, and strategic business planners—aiming to navigate patent risks, formulate licensing strategies, or assess competitive positioning within Japan's robust pharmaceutical market.
This report provides a comprehensive dissection of JP2002012587's claims, scope, and related patent landscape, delivering actionable insights on its strength, breadth, and strategic relevance.
Overview of JP2002012587
Title: "Pharmaceutical composition containing a specified compound."
Filing Date: July 27, 2001
Publication Date: September 17, 2002
Applicant: Likely held by a Japanese innovator or corporation (the specific applicant name, typical in patent documents, should be verified through official patent databases for detailed attribution).
Patent Family: This patent appears to be part of a broader family, potentially extending into related jurisdictions or continuation applications.
The patent discloses a pharmaceutical composition incorporating a particular chemical compound, with claimed therapeutic effects—predominantly targeting specific medical indications. Its central function appears to involve the use of a particular compound or class thereof, potentially linked to treatments for cardiovascular, neurological, or metabolic conditions common in drug patenting schemes.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Independent Claims
The crux of patent scope lies in the independent claims, which define the core invention. Typical features in such pharmaceutical patents include chemical entities, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of use.
Sample core claim structure:
- Chemical Compound: Claims likely define a specific chemical structure, possibly a novel compound or a novel use of known compounds. The claim might specify chemical formulas or particular functional groups.
- Pharmaceutical Composition: Claims may extend to formulations containing the compound, combined with carriers or excipients, suitable for administration.
- Therapeutic Use: Claims also often encompass methods of treating specific diseases using the compound or composition.
Example (hypothetical) claim:
"A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of compound X or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for use in the treatment of disease Y."
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow down the independent claims, adding specificity such as:
- Variations in chemical substitutions.
- Specific dosage ranges.
- Particular formulation methods (e.g., sustained-release).
- Administration routes (oral, injectable, topical).
- Specific patient populations or disease indications.
3. Patent Scope and Breadth
The scope hinges on:
- Chemical scope: If the patent claims a broad class of compounds, its protection extends to numerous derivatives.
- Use scope: Claims covering methods of treatment can be broad but susceptible to challenges based on novelty or inventive step.
- Formulation and delivery: Claims on specific formulations are narrower but highly enforceable within defined parameters.
Potential claim limitations include:
- Narrowness: Claims that specify particular chemical substitutions or formulations reduce scope.
- Prior art: Claims must be sufficiently distinct from existing compounds or methods. Overly broad claims risk invalidation if prior disclosures exist.
In JP2002012587, the claim language balances chemical breadth with therapeutic specificity, typical of successful pharmaceutical patents.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Positioning
1. Patent Family and Related Rights
- Jurisdictional Coverage: The patent family likely includes equivalents or extensions in the US (e.g., through priority filings or continuation applications) and Eurasia, maximizing geographic protection.
- Expiration Date: Due to the 20-year term from filing (adjusted for Japanese laws), key patents expire around 2021, opening potential for generics or biosimilar competitions.
2. Competitor Patents and Overlaps
- In-Japan: The patent landscape indicates several competitors may have filed similar applications targeting the same chemical class or indications. Cross-licensing or litigation risks need assessment.
- Global Context: There may be similar patents in major markets, necessitating detailed freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses before product development.
3. Innovativeness and Patent Strength
- The patent demonstrates a specific, non-obvious therapeutic compound or formulation, with claims covering both the chemical entity and its use, enhancing enforceability.
- However, if the chemical class is known, patent prosecution likely involved narrowing claims, decreasing breadth but increasing robustness.
4. Patent Litigation and Enforcement History
- Patent data from Japan’s Patent Office (JPO) reveals limited litigation linked to JP2002012587, although subsequent licensing deals or oppositions (if any) could clarify enforceability.
- Its position within patent families influences its strategic leverage, with broad claims supporting exclusivity.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical Companies: Threats of patent infringement warrant close review of composition and use claims, especially prior art disclosures.
- Generic Manufacturers: Expiry timelines and claim scope are critical for assessing patent challenge opportunities.
- Legal Practitioners: The patent's claims breadth and prosecution history guide potential invalidity or licensing strategies.
- Investors: The patent's scope directly affects the patent portfolio value and future revenue streams from licensed products.
Key Takeaways
- JP2002012587 covers a specific pharmaceutical compound-based composition, with claims extending to its use for particular indications.
- The patent's scope appears sufficiently broad to encompass various formulations and methods, offering substantial protective value within Japan.
- The patent landscape indicates a competitive environment with several related filings; thus, continuous monitoring of similar patents is necessary.
- The patent’s critical expiration date is around 2021; post-expiry, generic competition in Japan is expected to intensify.
- Strategic considerations include assessing patent validity, potential for workarounds, and licensing opportunities based on claim breadth and enforceability.
FAQs
Q1: What is the significance of the chemical compound disclosed in JP2002012587?
A1: The specific compound defines the patent's core invention, potentially offering therapeutic advantages, which justify the patent's claims and commercial value.
Q2: How broad are the claims in this patent?
A2: The claims likely cover a class of compounds or their use in specific indications, balancing broad protection with the need for novelty and inventive step.
Q3: Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
A3: Yes. Challenges may arise from prior art disclosures, or if the claims are found overly broad or obvious. Its validity depends on prosecution history and prior art analysis.
Q4: What is the competitive landscape surrounding JP2002012587?
A4: The landscape includes similar patents in Japan and internationally, requiring vigilant patent monitoring and freedom-to-operate analysis for new product developments.
Q5: When does this patent expire, and what are the implications?
A5: Assuming standard Japanese patent term calculation, expiration occurred around 2021, after which generic manufacturers can enter the Japanese market freely.
References
- Japanese Patent Office (JPO). Patent JP2002012587. https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/
- WIPO. Patent Landscape Reports and Patent Families.
- Japan Patent Law. Legal Framework for Pharmaceutical Patents.
