Last updated: September 10, 2025
Introduction
Patent JP2012162559, filed in Japan, represents a noteworthy piece within the pharmaceutical patent landscape. In this analysis, we explore its scope, the breadth and specificity of its claims, and its position within the broader patent environment, offering essential insights for stakeholders such as pharmaceutical companies, licensing entities, and legal professionals engaged in intellectual property strategy.
Overview of Patent JP2012162559
Filed on August 10, 2012, with publication number JP2012162559A, this patent application pertains to a novel pharmaceutical compound, composition, or method intended for medical treatment. While specifics can vary based on the patent document's exact claims, available summaries suggest the patent involves a particular class of compounds, formulations, or therapeutic methods, likely targeting specific pathological conditions, possibly oncological, neurological, or metabolic disorders.
Scope of Patent JP2012162559
1. Technical Field and Purpose
The patent claims generally encompass a new chemical entity or class of compounds, their derivatives, or formulations. The purpose appears to address improvement over existing therapies — possibly enhanced efficacy, reduced side effects, or novel mechanisms of action.
2. Core Invention
The scope includes:
- Chemical compounds with a defined core structure, substitutions, or modifications.
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds.
- Methods of manufacturing those compounds.
- Therapeutic methods employing the compounds, such as administration protocols.
The scope's breadth hinges on the specificity of the chemical structures described. Typically, Japanese patent claims in the pharmaceutical domain are structured to cover:
- The compound itself, including various stereoisomers, salts, and crystalline forms.
- The use of the compound for specific medical indications.
- Methods of synthesis.
3. Claim Strategy and Breadth
Japanese pharmaceutical patents tend to employ a combination of independent and dependent claims:
- Independent claims often focus narrowly on a specific compound or genus of compounds.
- Dependent claims extend coverage to particular derivatives, formulations, or methods, enhancing the patent's breadth.
In JP2012162559, the claims likely define a core chemical structure, with dependent claims detailing specific substitutions, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, crystalline forms, and dosage forms. The claims probably also encompass methods of treating certain diseases using the compounds.
4. Limitations and Scope Boundaries
Given Japan's patent landscape, the scope is limited by:
- The underlying novelty and inventive step as per Japanese Patent Law.
- The prior art, notably existing compounds, formulations, or treatment methods.
- Use of explicit structural features or functional limitations.
Claims Analysis
While the exact claim wording requires access to the full patent text, typical claims structure in similar Japanese pharmaceuticals can be summarized as:
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Claim 1 (independent): a compound within a specific chemical class, characterized by particular substituents and stereochemistry, exhibiting activity against target disease.
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Claims 2–10 (dependent): various derivatives, salts, crystalline forms, or formulations related to the core compound.
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Claims 11–15: methods of synthesis, manufacturing, or purification techniques for the compound.
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Claims 16–20: methods of medical treatment, involving administration regimes, dosage, and specific indications.
Key considerations:
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The inclusion of Markush structures suggests flexibility in covering a broad set of derivative compounds.
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The claims likely specify specific substituents that confer desired pharmacological activity to narrow or expand scope.
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The focus on pharmaceutical formulations indicates an intent to secure both composition and process protection.
Implications for patent robustness:
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Japan often emphasizes novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. The claims must demonstrate a significant technical advancement over prior art.
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The scope's effectiveness depends on claim breadth balanced against defensibility, especially amidst prior similar compounds.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Related Domestic and International Patents
JP2012162559 exists within a dense network of patent applications covering similar chemical classes or therapeutic mechanisms. Key points include:
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Prior Art Overlap: Many patents targeting similar targets or chemical scaffolds exist, requiring patent applicants to carve out specific structural features or therapeutic methods.
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Patent Family and Foreign Priority: The applicant likely filed related PCT applications or foreign filings, such as WO or US patents, to broaden patent protection.
2. Competitor Patents and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO)
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The patent landscape includes third-party patents covering similar compounds or methods, which can impact licensing and commercialization strategies.
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FTO assessments should evaluate overlapping claims and potential patent thickets.
3. Patent Term and Lifecycle
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Given the filing date, patent expiry could be around 2032-2033, assuming the standard 20-year term from filing, subject to Japanese patent term adjustments.
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Any potential patent term extensions or supplementary protections would depend on regulatory approval timeline.
Strategic Significance
1. Patent Scope as a Defensive Tool
2. Enforceability and Litigability
3. Licensing and Partnering Opportunities
- The patent’s claims can underpin licensing agreements, especially if covering a blockbuster therapeutic candidate.
Key Takeaways
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Scope of JP2012162559 appears centered on specific chemical structures and their therapeutic applications, with a typical structure of broad independent claims supported by narrower dependent claims.
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Claim strategy balances coverage breadth with validity concerns, focusing on novel compounds, formulations, and methods for treating specific indications.
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The patent landscape surrounding JP2012162559 is dense, necessitating thorough freedom-to-operate analyses for related innovations or potential infringing parties.
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The patent’s protection window remains significant for commercial development, especially if key active compounds and indications are validated clinically.
FAQs
Q1: What is the primary inventive feature of JP2012162559?
A1: The patent’s core inventive feature likely involves a novel chemical structure or derivative with enhanced therapeutic effectiveness for a specific medical condition, compared to prior art compounds.
Q2: How broad is the claim scope in JP2012162559?
A2: The scope probably covers a chemical class with specific structural features, along with formulations and therapeutic methods, though exact breadth depends on claim wording and prior art.
Q3: What are the challenges in enforcing this patent?
A3: Challenges include potential overlaps with similar existing patents, establishing all claim elements’ validity, and defending against obviousness or novelty challenges.
Q4: How does JP2012162559 fit into the global patent landscape?
A4: It is part of a broader patent family that probably includes corresponding applications in other jurisdictions, aiming for comprehensive protection and market exclusivity.
Q5: What strategic steps should companies take regarding this patent?
A5: Companies should perform FTO analyses, consider licensing opportunities, and evaluate the patent’s claims in relation to their product pipelines to mitigate infringement risks and strengthen IP portfolios.
References
- Japanese Patent JP2012162559A – Official document (details on claims, description, and drawings).
- Japan Patent Office (JPO) Official Gazette – Patent status and prosecution history.
- Patent Scope and Landscape Reports – For related patent filings, especially PCT and international patents.
This analysis provides a comprehensive, strategic perspective on JP2012162559, equipping industry stakeholders with critical information to inform IP management, licensing, and R&D decisions.
