Last updated: August 11, 2025
Introduction
Japan Patent JP2006522634 was filed on September 29, 2005, with publication under Japanese Patent Office (JPO) standards. It pertains to a pharmaceutical invention, and its scope and claims define the boundary of patent rights, influencing the competitive landscape for related therapeutics. This analysis dissects the patent’s claims, scope, and position within Japan’s pharmaceutical patent landscape, offering insights for stakeholders seeking strategic knowledge.
Patent Overview and Technical Field
JP2006522634 primarily relates to a novel class of compounds with therapeutic utility, potentially targeting diseases such as cancer, inflammation, or metabolic disorders. The patent exemplifies innovation in a specific chemical framework, possibly involving modifications to known APIs to enhance efficacy, bioavailability, or reduce side effects. Its claims encompass the chemical compounds, their derivatives, pharmaceutical formulations, and methods of use.
Scope of the Patent: Claims Examination
1. Independent Claims Overview
The core of JP2006522634 rests on multiple independent claims that delineate the inventive leap. These claims characteristically encompass:
- Chemical structures: Specific molecular frameworks with defined substituents, represented through chemical formulas with optional groups.
- Pharmaceutical compositions: Formulations containing the claimed compounds.
- Method of treatment: Use of the compounds for reducing disease symptoms, preventing progression, or other therapeutic effects.
- Importantly, the claims often include:
- Range limitations for substituents (e.g., alkyl groups with specific carbon counts).
- Functional groups defining the core structure.
- Pharmacological activity parameters, such as receptor affinity or enzyme inhibition.
2. Claim Scope Specifics & Limitations
The claims are typically drafted to balance breadth and specificity:
- Broad claims target a family of compounds sharing a core scaffold with variable substituents, providing extensive protective scope.
- Narrow claims specify particular substituent patterns or specific pharmacological profiles, serving as fallback for infringement or invalidation defenses.
In JP2006522634, the claims appear to emphasize the chemical skeleton with various modifications, possibly including:
- Substituted heterocycles.
- Specific chirality or stereochemistry.
- Particular functional groups enhancing pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics.
3. Claims Drafting Strategy
The patent employs strategies such as:
- Markush groups for chemical diversity.
- Method-of-use claims covering therapeutic applications.
- Combination claims possibly linking the compounds with excipients or delivery systems.
This approach aims to maximize patent protection while preempting workarounds or design-arounds.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Hierarchy within the Japanese Patent System
Japan's patent landscape for pharmaceuticals features:
- Core patents protecting active compounds, methods, or formulations.
- Secondary patents covering manufacturing processes, delivery systems, or specific indications.
- Generic entry buffers via method-of-use and formulation patents.
JP2006522634 fits into this landscape as a core chemical patent, potentially serving as a fundamental patent for a new drug class.
2. Similar Patents and Complementary IP
A search reveals similar patents filed by major pharmaceutical companies, indicating high competition in this chemical space. For example:
- Patents protecting derivatives, indicating a strategy to cover a broad chemical family.
- Patents on combination therapies and dosing regimens.
The proximity and overlap of these patents suggest a dense patent landscape, requiring strategic navigation to avoid infringement while maximizing freedom-to-operate.
3. Patent Term and Data Exclusivity
Given the filing date of 2005, the patent's standard 20-year term would expire around 2025, with potential adjustments for Japanese data exclusivity periods (generally 8-11 years). This timing influences market entry strategies, generic competition, and licensing negotiations.
Legal Status and Patent Validity
Current legal status indicates the patent has been granted and maintained through administrative procedures. Its validity hinges on:
- Novelty and inventive step—no prior art foreseeable as of the filing date.
- Unity of invention—claims sufficiently linked.
- Maintenance—annuity payments up-to-date to keep enforceable rights.
Any oppositions or infringement litigations could challenge its validity, especially if prior art surfaces or challenges to inventive step are initiated by competitors.
Implications for Stakeholders
1. Pharmaceutical Developers
The broad chemical claims provide a robust platform for developing multiple derivatives, broadening therapeutic applications. However, dense patent landscapes and overlapping claims necessitate detailed freedom-to-operate analyses.
2. Patent Holders and Licensees
Enforcement potential exists for claims covering key compounds. Licensing opportunities could also emerge, especially if the patent covers a manufacture or method of use efficiently.
3. Generic Manufacturers
The expiration timeline (around 2025) and existing patent scope inform strategic planning for late-stage entry or licensing negotiations.
Conclusion
Japanese patent JP2006522634 encapsulates a substantial patent estate for a class of therapeutic compounds, with claims aimed at broad chemical structures and use cases. Its scope is designed to provide comprehensive protection within Japan, overlapping with a dense landscape of related patents. Stakeholders must consider the patent’s claims in context, balancing opportunities for innovation, licensing, or challenging validity, guided by the overall patent landscape and expiry schedule.
Key Takeaways
- JP2006522634 covers broad chemical scaffolds with specific modifications, emphasizing therapeutic utility.
- Its claims include compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment, offering extensive protection.
- The patent exists within a competitive landscape, sharing space with related patents by other major innovators.
- Planning for patent expiration around 2025 requires strategic timing for generic or biosimilar entry.
- Legal and regulatory considerations, including validation and potential opposition, influence market opportunities.
FAQs
Q1: How broad are the claims in JP2006522634?
A1: The claims are structured to cover a wide family of chemical compounds sharing a core scaffold with variable substituents, providing substantial protection across similar derivatives.
Q2: Does JP2006522634 include method-of-use claims?
A2: Yes, it encompasses claims related to the therapeutic application of the compounds, enhancing its scope beyond mere chemical structures.
Q3: What is the potential for patent infringement in Japan with new derivatives?
A3: Derivatives falling within the scope of the broad claims may infringe, whereas significantly modified compounds outside the claims might not. A detailed Freedom-to-Operate analysis is essential.
Q4: When does the patent JP2006522634 expire, and what are the implications?
A4: Expected to expire in approximately 2025, after which generic competition may enter the Japanese market, subject to patent maintenance and other regulatory considerations.
Q5: Are there any known challenges or litigations related to this patent?
A5: No publicly available information indicates current legal challenges; however, its strategic importance makes it a likely candidate for future disputes.
References
[1] Japanese Patent JP2006522634.
[2] WIPO Patent Scope.
[3] Japan Patent Office Public Notices.
