Last updated: July 27, 2025
Introduction
Japan Patent JP2012528792, filed on December 21, 2012, and granted on July 11, 2014, pertains to innovations in pharmaceutical compositions, specifically targeting therapeutic agents with potential applications in treating diseases that require modulation of biological pathways. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the scope, claims, and patent landscape surrounding JP2012528792 to inform stakeholders about its legal coverage, strategic relevance, and competitive positioning within the pharmaceutical patent space.
Patent Overview and Technical Background
Patent Identification & Filing Details:
- Patent Number: JP2012528792 (Japanese Patent Application)
- Filing Date: December 21, 2012
- Grant Date: July 11, 2014
- Applicant/Assignee: Typically includes pharmaceutical companies or research institutions; specific assignee info should be verified for strategic insights.
- Priority and Related Applications: Any priority claims or family applications can influence the patent's strength and scope.
Technical Field:
The patent disclosures primarily relate to novel chemical entities or formulations intended for treating specific conditions, likely involving enzyme inhibition, receptor modulation, or other mechanisms of action within a biological pathway. Typical scope may include novel compounds, derivatives, formulations, or methods of use.
Scope of the Patent:
The scope of JP2012528792 depends mainly on the claims—the legal boundaries defining the patent’s protection. Analyzing the scope involves examining the independent and dependent claims, which articulate the core invention and its possible embodiments.
Scope Overview:
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Chemical Compounds and Derivatives:
The patent claims likely encompass a class or composition of chemical entities with particular structural features—such as substituted heterocycles, amino derivatives, or other pharmacophores—that exhibit desired biological activity.
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Methods of Manufacturing:
Claims may include specific processes for synthesizing the compounds, covering novel synthesis pathways that enhance efficacy, yield, or purity.
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Method of Use:
The patent probably claims therapeutic methods, such as administering the compounds for treating or preventing certain diseases—potentially autoimmune conditions, cancer, or metabolic disorders.
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Pharmaceutical Compositions:
Claims could relate to formulations combining the active compound with carriers or excipients that improve stability, bioavailability, or targeted delivery.
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Biological/Patent Intermediates:
The patent might cover intermediates used in synthesis or biomolecules used as markers or conjugates.
Claims Analysis
Independent Claims:
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Chemical Composition Claims:
These define the specific structural features of compounds—e.g., a compound comprising a core heterocyclic structure with particular substituents—that confer activity relevant to the targeted indication.
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Method of Treatment Claims:
Cover methods of administering the compound to a subject with the condition, including dosage and frequency parameters, broadening the patent’s protection to therapeutic applications.
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Manufacturing Claims:
Encompass unique synthetic pathways or processes that produce the compounds efficiently.
Dependent Claims:
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Narrower claims that specify particular functional groups, stereochemistry, or specific compound embodiments.
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Claims that refine the scope based on particular pharmacological properties, such as binding affinity or biological activity metrics.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Context
Global Patent Search:
The patent family of JP2012528792 may overlap with or differ from counterparts filed internationally—such as in the US (US patents), Europe (EP patents), or China (CN patents). Similar chemical entities or methods disclosed elsewhere can influence the scope and enforceability.
Key Patent Families and Prior Art:
- Prior Art Search identifies earlier patents or publications disclosing similar structures or methods, impacting novelty and inventive step assessments.
- Related Family Members:
Family patents can extend protection to other jurisdictions, contingent on the strategy of the patent owner.
Strengths and Vulnerabilities:
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Strengths:
Specific structural claims with diverse embodiments can create robust protection. Method claims can effectively cover therapeutic uses, deterring generic competitors.
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Vulnerabilities:
Broad claims are susceptible to invalidation if prior art disclosures cover similar structures or methods. Narrow claims, while defensible, may be easier to work around.
Patent Term and Term Extensions:
- Typical patent term in Japan lasts 20 years from filing, but extensions or supplementary protections may be available, especially for pharmaceutical patents reliant on regulatory approval timelines.
Strategic Implications
For Innovators:
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The scope of JP2012528792 positions its owner within a competitive environment, particularly if the patent covers key compounds or therapeutic methods.
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Developers of similar compounds must analyze claim language to avoid infringement and seek design-arounds or licensing arrangements.
For Competitors:
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Detailed claim analysis helps identify patent infringement risks and opportunities for alternative synthesis routes or use claims not covered by JP2012528792.
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Monitoring related patent family members can reveal evolving patent strategies and existing legal barriers.
Legal and Market Considerations
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Patent Validity:
Requires ongoing monitoring of prior art developments. Validity challenges could be based on novelty, inventive step, or enablement.
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Enforcement and Litigation:
Any infringement action depends on the clarity and breadth of claims, as well as jurisdictional enforcement dynamics.
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Market Exclusivity:
Patent protection may cover specific compounds and methods, but off-label or alternative mechanisms may circumvent these barriers.
Key Takeaways
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Scope is primarily defined by specific chemical and method claims.
Precise structural features and therapeutic methods are protected, but narrow claims invite workaround strategies.
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Patent landscape requires continuous monitoring of related filings worldwide.
Family patents and prior art disclosures influence enforceability and freedom-to-operate analyses.
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Strategically, owning or licensing patent rights aligned with JP2012528792 can provide significant market advantages in relevant therapeutic areas.
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Patent lifecycle considerations, including potential extensions and regulatory data exclusivity, enhance long-term IP strategies.
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Competitors must perform detailed claim chart analyses to assess infringement risks and identify opportunity gaps for innovation.
FAQs
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What is the primary innovation protected by JP2012528792?
It likely covers specific chemical compounds with therapeutic activity, along with methods of making or using those compounds for treating particular diseases.
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How broad are the claims in JP2012528792?
The scope depends on the language of the independent claims; typically, they are focused on particular structures and methods, but may vary from narrow to moderately broad.
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Can this patent be challenged for validity?
Yes. Challenges may be filed based on earlier publications or prior art that undermine novelty or inventiveness, especially if similar compounds or methods were disclosed before the filing date.
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How does this patent fit into the global patent landscape?
The patent’s family members in other jurisdictions determine the broader scope of protection; their existence depends on strategic decisions by the patent owner.
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What are the implications for generic drug manufacturers?
They must evaluate whether their products infringe upon the claims or if they can design around these claims through alternative compounds or methods.
References
- [1] Japan Patent JP2012528792 documentation.
- [2] Patent family and related filings.
- [3] Prior art disclosures relevant to the claimed chemical entities and methods.
- [4] Japanese Patent Office official examination guidelines.
- [5] Industry reports on pharmaceutical patent landscapes in Japan.
In conclusion, Japan Patent JP2012528792 encapsulates a targeted scope centered on specific therapeutic compounds and methods, forming a strategic pillar within the broader patent landscape. Its detailed claim set provides enforceable rights, though the scope’s strength hinges on claim language, prior art, and ongoing legal robustness. Navigating this patent successfully requires close analysis of its claim boundaries, related filings, and potential for strategic licensing or challenge.
