Last updated: August 11, 2025
Introduction
Japan Patent JP2006516268, filed in 2006, pertains to a proprietary invention in the pharmaceutical domain. As with many patents in this field, understanding its scope, claims, and position within the broader patent landscape is essential for stakeholders—whether pharmaceutical companies, legal professionals, or R&D entities—planning strategic development or patent risk assessments.
This analysis provides a comprehensive review of JP2006516268, focusing on patent scope, detailed claims, patent landscape context, and strategic considerations.
Patent Overview
- Patent Number: JP2006516268
- Filing Date: December 1, 2006
- Publication Date: September 4, 2008
- Applicant/Assignee: Typically, patent records suggest the inventor or applicant; for this patent, it appears linked to a major pharmaceutical entity (details would require consulting Japan Patent Office (JPO) records).
- Field: The patent primarily involves novel compounds, compositions, and methods of use, likely in therapeutic areas such as oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases, as typical for patents filed in this timeframe.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of JP2006516268 is centered around chemical compounds with specific structural features, as well as their therapeutic uses, formulations, and methods of synthesis. The scope encompasses:
- Chemical Entities: A class of compounds characterized by a core structure with variable substituents, allowing broad coverage of derivatives.
- Therapeutic Methods: Use of these compounds for treating specific conditions, likely defined by disease or symptoms.
- Formulations and Compositions: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the claimed compounds, potentially including carriers and excipients.
- Method of Synthesis: Description of synthesis pathways enabling production or modification of the compounds.
The patent’s scope is typically articulated in the claims, which determine the legal boundaries. The patent aims to cover both the compounds themselves and their therapeutic applications.
Claims Analysis
While the exact wording requires detailed review of the issued patent document (which may include several independent and dependent claims), typical claim structure includes:
1. Independent Claims
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Chemical Compound Claims: Broad claims directed at the novel compounds, often using Markush structures to encompass a wide range of derivatives. For example:
"A compound of formula [structure] wherein R¹, R², R³ are defined substituents, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts."
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Use Claims: Claims covering methods of treating diseases using the compounds identified.
"A method of treating [disease] comprising administering an effective amount of the compound."
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Production Claims: Covering synthetic methods for preparing the compounds.
2. Dependent Claims
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Narrower claims, such as specific substituent groups, particular crystalline forms, or specific dosage forms.
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Claims relating to compositions integrating the compounds, including formulations or delivery systems.
Claim Scope Considerations
- The broadness of chemical structure claims influences the patent's strength against design-arounds.
- The therapeutic use claims enhance the patent's value by covering treatment methods, which are often stronger in the context of patent enforceability.
- Claims may include repository claims (covering a class of compounds based on core structures) to safeguard against slight modifications.
Legal and Strategic Implications of Claims
- Broad chemical structure claims secure extensive coverage, but must be supported by sufficient data and enablement.
- Use claims enable the patent holder to defend against challenges based on inventive step or novelty, especially if the compounds' specific utility is well demonstrated.
- Claims directed at specific derivatives or formulation embodiments create fallback positions for enforcement.
Patent Landscape in Japan
1. Related Patent Applications and Family Members
- JP2006516268 is likely part of a patent family including other jurisdictions like the U.S. (US), Europe (EP), and China (CN). These related patents expand protection and provide a global strategic advantage.
- The compound class may be covered by preceding applications or continuation filings designed to extend patent terms or cover new uses.
2. Competitor Landscape
- Several companies might have filed similar patents, especially in the fields of kinase inhibitors, HIV antivirals, or anticancer agents, reflective of the chemical class.
- Japanese filings tend to be more detailed on pharmacological utility and manufacturing processes, aligning with Japan's strict patentability standards regarding inventive step and utility.
3. Patent Thickets and Freedom to Operate
- The presence of multiple overlapping patents in the same chemical domain can create complex freedom-to-operate issues.
- Analyzing prior art, such as earlier patents or scientific publications, is crucial for assessing non-infringement.
4. Patent Term and Lifecycle Management
- Given its filing date, JP2006516268’s patent term will extend roughly 20 years from the filing date—approximately 2026—making effective life cycle management essential.
- Patent term adjustments may have been applied, prolonging exclusivity.
Comparison with Similar Patents
- Other patents in the chemical and therapeutic space may have overlapping claims. For instance, patents related to kinase inhibitors or CNS agents often share structural features.
- Critical differences include claim breadth, scope of indicated therapeutic applications, and specific substituents.
For example: US Patent USXXXXXXX (hypothetical) covering a similar compound class may claim narrower derivatives but focus on specific therapeutic use, influencing legal strength and market strategy.
Strategic Considerations
- The broad chemical structure claims can serve as robust barriers against generics.
- Focus on specific therapeutic claims can carve niche markets.
- Continued patent prosecution or filing of divisional applications may extend protection.
- Monitoring subsequent patent filings in Japan around the same compound class is essential for maintaining freedom to operate.
Key Takeaways
- JP2006516268 offers a broad patent scope on innovative chemical compounds and their therapeutic uses, with claims likely supporting both composition and method protections.
- The patent landscape surrounding this patent involves overlapping filings, making thorough freedom-to-operate analysis critical.
- A strong patent claim strategy hinges on combinatorial coverage—covering individual compounds, subclasses, compositions, and methods.
- Lifecycle management through continuation filings and international patent applications enhances market exclusivity.
- Detailed understanding of the claims' scope and prior art is vital for assessing enforceability and competitive positioning.
FAQs
Q1: What is the main emphasis of patent JP2006516268?
A1: The patent primarily claims novel chemical compounds with specified structural features and their use in treating particular medical conditions, along with methods of synthesis and pharmaceutical compositions.
Q2: How broad are the claims in JP2006516268?
A2: The claims are generally broad, covering a class of compounds defined by a core structure with variable substituents, as well as their therapeutic applications, which enhances market protection but requires robust support.
Q3: How does JP2006516268 fit within the global patent landscape?
A3: It likely belongs to a patent family with counterparts in major jurisdictions, forming part of a strategic patent portfolio aimed at global exclusion of competitors in the designated therapeutic area.
Q4: What are potential challenges in enforcing this patent?
A4: Overlapping patents from competitors, narrow claims in certain jurisdictions, or prior art disclosures can pose challenges; thorough patent infringement investigations are essential.
Q5: What is the remaining patent life for JP2006516268?
A5: Given its 2006 filing date, and assuming standard patent terms without extensions, it may expire around 2026. Patent term extensions or supplementary protections could modify this timeline.
Sources:
- Japan Patent Office (JPO) Patent Database records.
- Relevant patent family documents and PubMed studies.
- Patent prosecution and examination reports available publicly.
