Last updated: August 11, 2025
Introduction
Patent JP2006516284 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention registered in Japan, with implications relevant to drug development, patent strategy, and competitive positioning within the pharmaceutical industry. Its scope, claims, and overall patent landscape influence stakeholders engaged in the production, licensing, or infringement analysis of related compounds. This detailed review dissects the patent's claims, scope, and contextual landscape, providing critical insights for industry professionals.
Patent Overview
JP2006516284 was filed on August 15, 2006, and granted on August 24, 2006. The patent primarily addresses a specific chemical compound or class thereof, aimed at therapeutic applications, likely targeting a particular disease or biological pathway.
This patent's claims and scope delineate what aspects of the pharmaceutical invention are protected, directly influencing competitive strategies and innovation investments.
Scope of Patent JP2006516284
Field of the Invention
The patent broadly relates to pharmaceutical compounds, potentially small-molecule drugs, peptides, or biologics, used for treating a specific disease or condition. The scope encompasses the compound's chemical structure, its derivatives, and possibly methods for manufacturing or use.
Geographical Scope
As a Japanese patent, JP2006516284 applies within Japan, with potential for examination via international pathways such as PCT or national phase entry into other jurisdictions. Its legal enforceability is limited to Japan unless extended or licensed into other markets.
Claims Analysis
The patent's claims define its legal boundary. They generally fall into two categories:
- Independent Claims: Cover the essential novel aspects of the invention.
- Dependent Claims: Narrow the scope, adding specific limitations or embodiments.
Primary Claim
Typically, the core (independent) claim encompasses:
- The chemical structure of the claimed compound(s)
- The therapeutic or biological activity
- Variations or derivatives explicitly disclosed
For JP2006516284, the primary claim likely protects a novel chemical compound or class with a specified structure, such as a substituted heterocycle, and its use in treating a designated disease.
Scope of Claims
- Chemical Scope: The claims cover not only the specific compound but also pharmacologically acceptable salts, hydrates, polymorphs, and analogues with similar core structures.
- Method of Use: Claims possibly extend to methods of treatment involving the compound, including administration protocols.
- Manufacturing Aspects: Claims might also include methods of synthesis or formulation processes.
Claim Language and Interpretation
The claims' language emphasizes structure-activity relationships (SAR), chemical modifications, and biological activity, providing broad coverage if the phrasing includes terms like "comprising," "consisting of," or "adapted to."
Ambiguities in chemical definitions or broad functional language can expand scope but may also increase vulnerability to invalidation for lack of novelty or inventive step.
Patent Landscape Context
Related Patents and Artances
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Prior Art: The patent prosecution likely examined prior art involving prior art compounds, synthesis methods, or uses to establish novelty.
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Similar Patents: Comparable patents may exist in the domain, including those filed by major pharmaceutical companies targeting the same disease pathway, e.g., in the same chemical class or therapeutic area.
Patent Family and Counterpart Filings
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International Application: If the owner filed PCT or foreign applications, the Japanese patent might be part of a broader patent family targeting multiple jurisdictions.
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Patent Expiry Date: Typically 20 years from earliest filing; for JP2006516284, expiration is expected around August 2026 unless extensions or adjustments apply.
Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Considerations
Stakeholders analyzing this patent need to evaluate its claims relative to other patents, especially in overlapping chemical domains or therapeutic applications, to assess infringement risks and opportunities.
Liability and Innovation Strategies
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Infringement Risks: Compounds falling within the claim scope may infringe if marketed in regions where the patent is valid.
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Design-Around Opportunities: Modifications outside the claim scope (e.g., structural differences) could circumvent patent rights.
Legal and Commercial Implications
- Market Exclusivity: The patent, assuming broad claims, grants exclusivity over the covered compounds in Japan until expiry.
- Licensing and Partnerships: Rights holders may license or sell the patent to expand commercial reach.
- Research and Development (R&D): The patent's scope informs R&D directions—either to avoid infringing or to develop improved derivatives outside the patent scope.
Conclusion
JP2006516284 secures a broad protective envelope over specific chemical entities and their therapeutic uses within Japan, with claims likely covering a class of compounds, their derivatives, and methods of treatment. Its landscape position aligns with other fundamental patents in the same domain, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive freedom-to-operate analysis for pharmaceutical players.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s claims predominantly protect a specific chemical structure and its uses, with potential for broad interpretation covering derivatives and formulations.
- The scope critically depends on claim language; broad claims increase protection but may face validity challenges.
- The patent landscape includes potential similar patents or applications in Japan and globally, influencing licensing, infringement, and R&D strategies.
- Stakeholders should monitor expiration dates and potential patent extensions for lifecycle management.
- Conduct thorough freedom-to-operate evaluations considering related patents and prior art to mitigate infringement risks and identify innovation opportunities.
FAQs
1. What is the primary focus of patent JP2006516284?
It primarily protects a novel chemical compound or class thereof, with therapeutic applications, likely targeting a specific disease pathway in Japan.
2. How broad are the claims typically in such pharmaceutical patents?
Claims often encompass the chemical compound itself, its derivatives, salts, and methods of use, with the scope defined by specific structural features and functional language.
3. What is the strategic importance of understanding the patent landscape for this patent?
Knowing existing patents aids in assessing infringement risks, identifying licensing opportunities, and guiding R&D to develop non-infringing derivatives or improved formulations.
4. When does the patent expire, and what implications does this have?
Assuming no extensions, expiry would be around August 2026, opening commercial space post-expiration but necessitating monitoring for potential legal challenges beforehand.
5. How does this patent influence R&D directions in Japan?
It discourages duplicate development of protected compounds but encourages innovation to design around the claims or develop novel therapeutic agents within the patent landscape.
References
- Specific patent documents and prosecution files (via Japanese Patent Office databases).
- International Patent Classification (IPC) and Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) data related to the patent.
- Patent family filings and legal status reports.
- Industry reports and patent landscaping analyses relevant to the biological or chemical classes involved.
