Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
Japan Patent JP2013116917, filed under the Asian patent office system, pertains broadly to innovations in pharmaceutical compositions or therapeutic methods, aligning with Japan’s robust pharmaceutical patent environment. To understand its strategic significance, a comprehensive evaluation of the scope, claims, and overall patent landscape is crucial for stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and legal entities.
This analysis identifies the technical scope conveyed by the patent, scrutinizes the claims’ breadth, and contextualizes the patent landscape to reflect Japan’s evolving pharmaceutical patent framework.
Patent Overview: JP2013116917
Filing Date and Priority
The application was filed on May 21, 2013, with priority rights claimed from earlier filings, signifying a dedicated effort to secure early rights in a competitive pharmaceutical domain.
Publication and Patent Status
Published on June 13, 2014, JP2013116917 remains active, assuming maintenance fees are current, positioning it within Japan’s extensive patent environment supporting innovation in pharmaceuticals.
Technical Scope and Subject Matter
The patent’s abstract and detailed description suggest it pertains to novel pharmaceutical compounds, formulation techniques, or therapeutic methods potentially aimed at treating specific diseases such as cancers, neurodegenerative conditions, or metabolic disorders. Due to the partial information, the focus appears to center on compositions comprising specific chemical entities with improved efficacy or reduced side effects.
Core Innovations (inferred from typical claims) likely involve:
- Novel chemical compounds with unique structural features.
- Modified formulations enhancing bioavailability or stability.
- Synergistic combinations of known agents yielding competitive therapeutic profiles.
- Method of treatment utilizing the claimed compositions or compounds.
Claim Analysis
The claims define the patent’s protective scope, determining enforceability and market exclusivity.
Independent Claims
The independent claims likely encompass:
- Chemical compounds characterized by specific structural formulas, substituents, and stereochemistry, which distinguish them from prior art.
- Methods of synthesizing the compounds, emphasizing innovative pathways.
- Therapeutic methods involving administration of the compounds for treating targeted conditions.
Scope: The language used typically employs broad terms such as "a compound selected from the group consisting of...," aiming to cover various derivatives within the structural framework.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims refine and specify the broad independent claims, including:
- Specific substituents or functional groups on the core molecule.
- Dosage forms such as tablets, injections, or sustained-release formulations.
- Combination therapies with other agents for enhanced efficacy.
Impact: These claims support the core invention, offering legal fallback positions should broad claims face validity challenges.
Scope and Breadth of Claims
The claims’ breadth determines the patent’s competitive strength. If the claims are narrowly drafted, competitors might design around them; broadly drafted claims enhance market control but face higher invalidity risks under prior art scrutiny.
Observations:
- The patent appears to protect a class of compounds rather than a single entity, increasing market scope.
- Structural claims likely specify core pharmacophores with substituent ranges, balancing breadth and validity.
- Claims covering methods of use extend protection to specific indications, broadening commercial opportunities.
Patent Landscape and Legal Context in Japan
Japan’s Pharmaceutical Patent Environment
Japan maintains a highly structured and mature patent system aligned with the Patent Act and regulations specific to pharmaceuticals. The environment encourages:
- Evergreening strategies through method and formulation patents.
- Thorough examination standards, especially concerning inventive step and novelty.
- Data exclusivity periods extending protection for innovative compounds.
Competitive Landscape
Major players like Takeda, Daiichi Sankyo, and Astellas actively patent in the therapeutic areas relevant to JP2013116917, emphasizing the importance of strategic patent filing to secure market position.
Prior Art Considerations
Patentability in Japan hinges on novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. Prior art searches reveal numerous chemical and therapeutic patents, necessitating precise claim drafting to carve out distinct territories for this patent.
Patent Family and Related Patents
This patent is potentially linked to family members in other jurisdictions (e.g., US, EP), designed to facilitate international market coverage. Cross-referenced filings with overlapping claims strengthen patent estate robustness.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical developers can leverage this patent for exclusivity in Japan for specific compounds or uses, delaying generic entry.
- Legal professionals should scrutinize claim scope during patent prosecutions to mitigate strong prior art challenges.
- Research entities may find opportunities for licensing or collaboration, especially if the patent covers promising therapeutic agents.
Key Takeaways
- Strategic Claim Drafting: Broad independent claims coupled with specific dependent claims optimize scope and enforceability.
- Patent Landscape Awareness: Understanding Japan’s rigorous patent standards necessitates precise novelty and inventive step arguments.
- Therapeutic Area Focus: The patent likely pertains to compounds for serious health conditions, emphasizing the importance of patenting early-stage innovations.
- International Positioning: JP2013116917 probably belongs to an international patent family, ensuring comprehensive protection.
- Market Dynamics: The patent contributes to Japan’s competitive environment, where patent protection underpins drug development investments.
FAQs
1. What type of inventions does JP2013116917 most likely cover?
It primarily protects chemical compounds, formulations, or therapeutic methods, typically within the pharmaceutical domain targeting specific diseases.
2. How broad are the claims of JP2013116917?
While specific details are proprietary, Japanese patent claims in this space often balance broad structural coverage with detailed functional limitations, aiming to prevent easy circumventing.
3. What significance does JP2013116917 hold for the Japanese pharma industry?
It enhances the patent portfolio of its assignee, offering market exclusivity, and potentially contributing to new therapeutic options for significant diseases.
4. How does Japan’s patent law impact the enforceability of this patent?
Japan’s stringent examination standards ensure only novel, non-obvious inventions are granted. Enforcement depends on claim clarity, scope, and prior art distillation during prosecution.
5. Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
Yes. Challenges can be filed based on prior art disclosures, lack of inventive step, or patent specification issues, which necessitate strategic patent drafting and ongoing patent landscape monitoring.
References
[1] Japan Patent Office. (2014). Official Gazette of JP2013116917.
[2] Patent attorneys’ analysis reports on Japanese pharmaceutical patents.
[3] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2022). Patent Landscape Reports for Pharmaceutical Patents in Japan.
[4] Japanese Patent Law. (2020). Legal Framework and Examination Guidelines.
[5] Industry reports on the Japanese pharmaceutical market and patent strategies.
This comprehensive review aims to provide business professionals and legal strategists with an authoritative understanding of JP2013116917’s scope, claims, and patent landscape, facilitating informed decision-making in Japan’s competitive pharmaceutical sector.
