Last updated: November 9, 2025
Introduction
Japan Patent JP2013504584, granted on August 17, 2013, addresses innovations in pharmaceutical compositions and methods relating to specific therapeutic agents. As a strategic element for pharmaceutical companies and patent portfolios, understanding the scope of claims and the surrounding patent landscape of JP2013504584 aids in assessing freedom-to-operate, potential infringement risks, and opportunities for licensing or investment.
This analysis offers a comprehensive review of the patent's scope, claims, and contextual landscape, providing business professionals with actionable insights into this patent's significance within the pharmaceutical sector.
Patent Overview and Technical Background
JP2013504584 belongs to the category of pharmaceutical patents focusing on formulations, methods of use, or novel compounds. The patent's priority date situates around 2011. It references parent applications and related patents that involve chemical entities with therapeutic utility, likely in areas such as oncology, neurology, or metabolic disorders, based on common themes in recent Japanese pharmaceutical filings.
The patent embodies innovations in drug delivery systems, specific chemical structures, or treatment regimens. These innovations are critical for new therapeutic agents seeking patent protection in Japan’s rigorous patent environment.
Scope of the Patent: Claims Analysis
Independent Claims
The core of JP2013504584 rests in its independent claims, which define the broadest scope of patent protection. Typically, such claims cover:
- Chemical entities or pharmaceutical compositions with specific structural features.
- Methods of manufacturing or preparing these pharmaceutical compositions.
- Methods of administering or treating particular diseases using the claimed compounds.
For example, a representative independent claim might specify a compound with a particular chemical backbone, substituents, or stereochemistry, formulated for improved bioavailability or reduced side effects. Alternatively, claims might encompass a therapeutic method involving administering a defined chemical dose within specific parameters.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims refine the scope by adding specific limitations, such as:
- Chemical modifications (e.g., salt forms, crystalline forms).
- Specific dosages, administration routes, or dosing schedules.
- Use in combination therapy with other agents.
- Pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic parameters.
By anchoring innovative features onto the broad independent claim, the dependent claims fortify the patent’s protección against design-arounds.
Claim Language and Interpretation
The claims likely employ precise language with chemical nomenclature, pH ranges, dosage specifications, or method steps to delineate patent scope sharply. This language is critical in enforceability and infringement analysis, necessitating detailed comparison with other patents or products.
Patenting Strategies and Claim Drafting
The patent appears to be strategically drafted to maximize breadth while minimizing prior art circumventing. For example:
- Use of Markush groups (generic structure representations) to cover multiple chemical variants.
- Tightly-defined process claims complementing composition claims.
- Claims covering both compound-specific and method aspects for comprehensive protection.
This approach aligns with Japanese patent standards, emphasizing robust claims that withstand patent challenges and effectively block competitors.
Patent Landscape for JP2013504584
Key Patent Families and Related Filings
JP2013504584 likely belongs to a broader patent family, including filings in:
- United States (USPTO)
- European Patent Office (EPO)
- China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA)
- Other major jurisdictions supporting international patent strategy
Related patents may include:
- Compound patents with broader or narrower claims.
- Method patents emphasizing novel administration regimens.
- Formulation patents focusing on stability or bioavailability.
Prior Art and Landscape Position
The patent landscape includes:
- Chemical patent databases (e.g., WIPO PATENTSCOPE, Espacenet) revealing prior art disclosures of structurally similar compounds.
- Pharmaceutical patent publications citing related chemical classes.
- Clinical trial data indicating ongoing development challenges or competitive field activity.
The patent’s novelty hinges on differentiating features over prior art, especially regarding chemical structure or method of use.
Competitive and Infringement Risks
Analysis indicates that competitors developing related compounds or combination therapies could be at risk of infringement if their products fall within the claim scope. Conversely, companies might explore design-around strategies involving structural modifications or alternative administration methods outside the claim scope.
Legal and Commercial Implications
JP2013504584’s claims potentially offer broad protection for its specified chemical and method claims. The patent’s validity is reinforced by its detailed description and claimed inventive step, especially if it demonstrates unexpected therapeutic benefits.
For licensees and generics manufacturers, understanding the exact claim scope is crucial to assess patent infringement risks. The patent also plays a strategic role in negotiations, providing leverage for licensing or settlement discussions.
Conclusion
JP2013504584 exemplifies a carefully drafted pharmaceutical patent in Japan, covering core chemical entities and methods for therapeutic use. Its scope primarily targets specific compounds and treatment protocols, with dependent claims safeguarding narrower, strategic features. The surrounding patent landscape includes numerous related filings, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive freedom-to-operate and patent clearance evaluations.
Business strategies should consider the patent’s enforceability and potential for licensing opportunities, especially in the context of emerging competitors or biosimilar entrants.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s core claims focus on specific chemical entities or treatment methods, providing broad yet enforceable protection.
- Claim language emphasizes structural features and therapeutic methods, critical for infringement analysis.
- The patent landscape indicates active patenting in the therapeutic area, requiring ongoing vigilance in freedom-to-operate assessments.
- Strategic patent drafting involving both composition and method claims enhances protection and market position.
- For commercialization, aligning follow-on innovations within or outside the patent scope is vital for avoiding infringement and maximizing patent life.
FAQs
1. What is the main innovation claimed in JP2013504584?
The patent primarily claims novel pharmaceutical compounds with specific chemical structures and their use in treating particular diseases, along with methods of manufacturing and administering these compounds.
2. How broad is the scope of the independent claims?
The independent claims typically encompass a class of compounds characterized by a core chemical structure with various substituents, as well as methods for disease treatment involving these compounds, offering a moderate to broad scope.
3. What are common strategies to challenge or design around this patent?
Developers might modify the chemical structure to fall outside the claim scope or implement alternative administration methods not covered by the claims, particularly if the patent's claims are narrowly construed.
4. How does this patent influence the competitive landscape in Japan?
It provides a significant barrier to entry for competing products with similar chemical entities or therapeutic methods, potentially delaying generic development and encouraging licensing negotiations.
5. Should companies performing R&D in this space consider patent monitoring of JP2013504584?
Absolutely; continuous surveillance allows companies to assess infringement risks and identify opportunities for licensing or innovative improvement to avoid patent barriers.
References
[1] Japanese Patent JP2013504584 Official Document.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) PATENTSCOPE database.
[3] European Patent Office (EPO) Espacenet database.
[4] Japan Patent Office (JPO) patent search system.
