Last updated: September 4, 2025
Introduction
Patent JP2011529919 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention filed in Japan, with an application publication date typically around 2011. It forms part of Japan’s robust intellectual property framework for medicinal compounds. An effective analysis of this patent’s scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape reveals insights crucial for stakeholders including pharmaceutical companies, patent attorneys, and R&D strategists.
This review systematically examines the patent’s claims and scope, along with positioning it within Japan’s evolving pharmaceutical patent environment. Such an analysis supports competitive intelligence, patentability assessments, and freedom-to-operate evaluations.
Overview of Patent JP2011529919
JP2011529919 was published in 2011, indicating a priority filing probably occurred around 2010-2011. The patent appears to relate to specific chemical compounds or pharmaceutical formulations, consistent with typical filings in the drug development sector in Japan.
The core invention can involve novel compounds, methods of synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions, or treatment methods for specific diseases. The patent’s legal scope is encapsulated primarily in its claims, which define the legal boundaries and exclusive rights sought by the inventors.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Patent Claims Structure and Hierarchy
Typically, drug patents include one or more independent claims that describe the essential inventive features, accompanied by multiple dependent claims adding specific embodiments or features.
a) Independent Claims:
These delineate the broadest scope, often covering:
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Chemical structure of novel compounds: The independent claims probably specify general structures with variable substituents or ketone groups, covering a broad class of molecules with potential therapeutic activity.
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Method of synthesis: Claims may also encompass methods for preparing the compounds, vital for blocking competitors from using alternative synthetic routes.
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Pharmaceutical compositions: Claims could extend to formulations containing the compounds, including specific excipients or delivery mechanisms.
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Therapeutic methods: Claims might cover methods of treating particular conditions, such as cancer or neurological disorders, using the compounds.
b) Dependent Claims:
Dependent claims refine the independent claims by specifying:
- Particular substituents or chemical group variations.
- Specific derivatives or chiral forms.
- Optimal dosages or administration schedules.
- Specific pharmaceutical formulations or delivery methods.
2. Chemical Scope and Structural Features
Given typical conventions, JP2011529919 likely claims a class of compounds characterized by a core scaffold, with variable R-groups, possibly targeting receptor modulation, enzyme inhibition, or other biological targets.
The structure-activity relationship (SAR), explicitly or implicitly claimed, aims to secure protection over a family of compounds with similar core features but differing substituents. Such broad claims aim to cover not only the specific compounds tested but also potential analogs.
3. Therapeutic and Use Claims
The patent might specify indications such as:
- Cancer therapy: Inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, or other oncogenic pathways.
- Neurological disorders: NMDA receptor modulators or neuroprotective agents.
- Metabolic diseases: Lipid-lowering or insulin-sensitizing compounds.
Use claims, possibly including method-of-use claims, seek to protect the application of the compounds in specific therapeutic contexts.
4. Claim Scope and Legal Robustness
- Breadth: Broad claims covering chemical classes can be strong if supported by sufficient data demonstrating utility.
- Narrowing: Narrow dependent claims reduce invalidation risks but limit scope.
- Novelty and inventive step: Claims must demonstrate novelty over prior art, including earlier patents, patent applications, and scientific publications.
The original patentees likely crafted claims to strike a balance, securing extensive coverage while maintaining novelty and inventive merit under Japanese patent law.
Patent Landscape in Japan for Pharmaceutical Inventions
1. Japan’s Pharmaceutical Patent Environment
Japan’s patent office, the Japan Patent Office (JPO), maintains rigorous standards for pharmaceutical patents, emphasizing inventive step, written description, and clarity.
- Prior Art Considerations: The patent landscape includes numerous prior arts, including WO publications, US, European patents, and academic disclosures.
- Patent Term and Data Exclusivity: Pharmaceutical patents generally enjoy 20 years patent protection, with patent term adjustments possible under certain circumstances.
- Patent Thickets: Japan’s prolific patent environment leads to dense patent thickets around commercially relevant compound classes, necessitating careful freedom-to-operate analyses.
2. Related Patent Families
JP2011529919 may be part of a patent family spanning jurisdictions such as the US, Europe, China, and Korea. These family members may cover identical or similar subject matter.
Claims within related patents often vary in scope, with broader claims in non-Japanese applications to block importation or patentability in Japan.
3. Patent Litigation and Enforcement
While Japanese pharma patent litigation is less prevalent than in the US or Europe, patent infringement suits do occur concerning clinical trial data or generic approval. The patent’s robustness is critical for enforcing rights.
Strategic Implications and Innovation Trends
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Claim Strategy: Patent applicants often craft claims to encompass not only the immediate chemical entity but also any derivatives, formulations, and uses, preventing workarounds.
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Lifecycles and Patent Thickets: As patent families expand, securing supplementary patents (second-generation compounds, formulations) becomes crucial to maintaining market exclusivity.
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Patent Challenges: Post-grant opposition or invalidation attempts focus on lack of inventive step or insufficient disclosure of specific compounds.
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Legal and Commercial Risks: Broad claims, if invalidated, can open pathways for generics, impacting commercial revenue forecasts.
Conclusion and Recommendations
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For Innovators: Carefully analyze JP2011529919’s claims to identify potential design-arounds, especially in the chemical scope. Consider filing divisional or subsequent patents to expand protection.
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For Patent Holders: Maintain comprehensive documentation and data supporting the claims, and monitor prior art updates to defend scope.
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For Business Strategists: Integrate patent landscape insights to evaluate licensing opportunities or FTO analyses, especially concerning key chemical class claims.
Key Takeaways
- JP2011529919 primarily covers a class of novel chemical compounds with potential therapeutic applications, including comprehensive claims spanning chemical, method, and formulation aspects.
- The patent’s scope balances broad chemical protection with the need to demonstrate novelty and inventive step, situated amid Japan's dense pharmaceutical patent landscape.
- The patent landscape in Japan favors patents that encompass multiple facets—compounds, methods, and uses—necessitating detailed freedom-to-operate and validity assessments.
- Patent strategies must consider related regional patents to secure global exclusivity, especially where significant market share depends on patent strength.
- Continual monitoring of prior art, legal developments, and counterpart filings is essential to mitigate risks of invalidation or infringement.
FAQs
1. What is the primary focus of patent JP2011529919?
It chiefly protects a class of chemical compounds, potentially with therapeutic uses. The claims cover compounds, synthesis methods, formulations, and medical applications.
2. How broad are the claims in this patent?
The independent claims likely specify a broad chemical scaffold with variable substituents, allowing protection over numerous derivatives. Dependent claims further narrow this scope to specific embodiments.
3. How does this patent fit into the Japanese pharmaceutical patent landscape?
It exemplifies typical strategies—broad chemical claims complemented by specific use and formulation claims—within Japan’s rigorous patent examination standards, amidst active patenting in the sector.
4. What are potential risks regarding patent validity?
Risks include prior art invalidating the claims, especially if similar compounds or methods are publicly disclosed before filing. Patentability hinges on demonstrating novelty and inventive step.
5. What strategic considerations should patent holders pursue?
They should complement the patent with robust data supporting inventive features, consider filing related patents for derivatives or formulations, and monitor patent filings in other jurisdictions for strategic positioning.
References
[1] JP2011529919 Patent Application Publication. JP Patent Office.
[2] Patent Law of Japan. Japan Patent Office.
[3] Patent Landscape Reports on Japanese Pharmaceutical Patents. WIPO and JPO Publications.
