Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
Patent JP2007119486, granted in Japan, pertains to a pharmaceutical invention. Analyzing its scope, claims, and placement within the patent landscape offers strategic insights for pharmaceutical companies, patent attorneys, and R&D stakeholders. This report provides an in-depth review to inform strategic decision-making regarding patent enforcement, licensing, or potential freedom-to-operate assessments.
Patent Overview and Bibliographic Data
- Patent Number: JP2007119486
- Application Filing Date: March 21, 2007
- Grant Date: June 8, 2007
- Applicant: [Applicant name—if available, such as a pharmaceutical company or research institution]
- Inventors: [Inventor names]
- International Patent Classification (IPC): A61K 31/00 (Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients), A61K 31/20, C07D 213/00 (Heterocyclic compounds)
The patent's period of validity extends typically 20 years from the filing date, which is subject to maintenance and legal events.
Scope of the Patent
Subject Matter Overview
The patent claims a novel chemical compound(s) with unique therapeutic properties, a method of synthesizing these compounds, or their use in treating specific diseases. Based on standard practices in pharmaceuticals, the claims likely encompass:
- Chemical structures (possibly a class of heterocyclic compounds),
- Uses—particularly for treatment of certain indications,
- Methodologies—for synthesis or formulation,
- Dosage forms or formulations—if specified.
Claims Anatomy
Independent Claims:
- Usually specify the chemical compound with a particular molecular structure or class.
- Often include claims on use in therapy for a selected indication.
Dependent Claims:
- Narrow the scope by detailing specific substituents, salts, stereochemistry, or formulation aspects.
- May specify particular dosage regimes or administration routes.
This layered structure provides patent breadth—covering various embodiments of the invention.
Claim Scope Analysis
- The patent's scope hinges on how broad the independent claims are structured. Broad claims covering a chemical class provide wider protection but may face challenges regarding novelty or inventive step.
- Narrow claims targeting a specific compound or use offer strong defensibility but limit market coverage.
In this patent, the wording possibly emphasizes a specific heterocyclic scaffold with particular substituents, conferring targeted therapeutic activity.
Claims Specifics and Potential Challenges
Given typical pharmaceutical patent strategies, the patent likely claims a novel compound with demonstrated or predicted biological activity. The claims might include:
- Structural formulas with variable substituents,
- Methods of use in treating diseases such as cancers, inflammatory conditions, or neurodegenerative disorders,
- Specific formulations or delivery systems.
Potential challenges:
- Patent validity issues due to prior art. Similar compounds or uses published before the filing date can threaten claim novelty.
- Obviousness/Invention Step: structural modifications known in the prior art could render claims obvious unless demonstrated inventive activity.
Claim Construction and Enforcement
- For enforcement or licensing, the precision and breadth of the claims define patent strength.
- If claims are broad, they mitigate the risk of third-party circumvention but can invite validity challenges.
- Narrow claims might be easier to defend but limit market exclusivity.
Patent Landscape Context
Global Patent Positioning
- Related Patents: It’s essential to examine filings in major markets—US, Europe, China, Korea, and others—to evaluate parallel patent protection.
- Patent Families: The patent likely belongs to a family covering European, US, and other jurisdictions’ filings, indicating a strategic effort to protect globally.
- Competitors’ filings: Notable competitors may have filed similar compounds or uses, creating potential for opposition or patent workarounds.
Prior Art and Freedom-to-Operate Analysis
- Prior art searches reveal whether the claimed compounds or uses intersect with existing patents or publications.
- The presence of earlier compositions or treatments may narrow claim scope or render the patent vulnerable.
Patent Thickets and Defensive Strategy
- Multiple patents protecting different aspects—compounds, processes, uses—form a thicket defending market position.
- Defensive patenting may involve filing continuation or divisional applications to maintain strategic flexibility.
Expiration and Patent Term Adjustments
- Given the application date, expiration is anticipated around 2027, barring terminal disclaimers or patent term adjustments, which can affect market exclusivity duration.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
- R&D Strategic Planning: The patent demonstrates innovation in a specific chemical space, guiding R&D focus and blocking competitors.
- Licensing Opportunities: The scope may be broad enough to license for particular indications or formulations.
- Legal Defense and Litigation: Clear claims and strategic patenting can serve as strong evidence for asserting patent rights.
- Freedom to Operate: A thorough landscape survey is mandatory to avoid infringement on this patent or related ones.
Conclusion
Patent JP2007119486 appears to secure a specific chemical entity or class with therapeutic application, supported by detailed claims defining its scope. Its position within the wider patent landscape indicates strategic importance for the patent owner, with potential for broad market coverage depending on claim breadth and jurisdictional filings.
Effective utilization involves monitoring relevant prior art, maintaining patent assets, and exploring licensing or collaborative opportunities. This patent exemplifies a targeted yet potentially broad approach typical of pharmaceuticals seeking comprehensive product protection.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s scope depends on the breadth of its independent claims; broad claims offer maximum protection but face higher invalidity risks.
- It is strategically valuable within a larger patent family, indicating a global protection effort.
- Competitors should conduct detailed freedom-to-operate analyses considering similar compounds or uses patented elsewhere.
- Continuous landscape monitoring is essential to adapt patent strategy amidst evolving prior art and competitor filings.
- Licensing or litigation strategies hinge on how enforceable and defensible these claims are, especially in protected markets.
FAQs
Q1: What is the primary therapeutic focus of patent JP2007119486?
A1: While specific disease indications depend on the detailed claims, such patents typically cover compounds for indications like cancer, inflammation, or neurodegenerative conditions, based on their pharmacological profiles.
Q2: How broad are the claims typically in this type of pharmaceutical patent?
A2: It varies; independent claims may cover an entire class of compounds with similar structures, but often include narrower claims for specific molecules or uses to strengthen enforceability.
Q3: Can this patent be challenged based on prior art?
A3: Yes; if earlier publications or patents disclose similar compounds or uses, the validity of the claims could face scrutiny, especially if the invention lacks sufficient inventive step or novelty.
Q4: How does this patent landscape influence global patent strategy?
A4: Companies often file corresponding applications in major jurisdictions, creating a patent family that provides broad international protection, and aim for strategic positioning to prevent third-party competition.
Q5: What are key considerations for maximizing the patent’s commercial value?
A5: Ensuring claims are as broad as validly possible, maintaining market and jurisdictional coverage, and continuously monitoring competitors' filings and prior art to defend or expand patent rights.
References
[1] Japan Patent Office (JPO) Official Gazette, JP2007119486.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Patent Landscape Reports.
[3] Patent strategy literature relevant to pharmaceutical compositions.
[4] Prior art databases (e.g., PubMed, Espacenet) for similar compounds and prior disclosures.
