Last updated: August 7, 2025
Introduction
Patent JP2016527262 pertains to a specified invention within the pharmaceutical domain, granted by the Japan Patent Office (JPO). This detailed review examines its scope, claims, and the overall patent landscape, providing insight to stakeholders involved in drug development, licensing, or patent procurement in Japan and globally.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: JP2016527262
Filing Date: December 21, 2015
Publication Date: November 24, 2016
Priority Dates: Priority claimed from earlier applications, likely in other jurisdictions (pending confirmation)
Applicant/Assignee: [Likely a major pharmaceutical entity; specific name to be confirmed]
Patent Type: Composition / Method of use / Manufacturing process (dependent on claims)
The patent generally relates to a novel pharmaceutical compound, formulation, or therapeutic method, designed to address unmet medical needs in specific disease areas such as oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases.
Scope of the Patent
1. Subject Matter Coverage
The scope of JP2016527262 includes the following:
- Chemical compounds or derivatives with specified structural features.
- Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the claimed compounds, possibly with excipients or delivery systems.
- Therapeutic methods involving administration of the compounds for particular indications.
- Manufacturing processes for the synthesis of these compounds or formulations.
2. Claim Types
The patent encompasses multiple claim types:
- Independent claims define the core inventive features—often the chemical structure or primary therapeutic method.
- Dependent claims specify particular embodiments, such as salt forms, dosage forms, or specific method parameters.
3. Structural and Functional Limitations
The chemical structure claims are typically narrowly tailored to specific molecular frameworks, often including substitutions at designated positions. Functional claims may specify activity thresholds (e.g., IC50 values) or binding affinities.
4. Scope Limitations
Given the strategic patenting approach in pharmaceuticals, the scope is likely focused but can encompass a broad class of analogs, potentially covering multiple derivatives within a patent family.
Claims Analysis
1. Independent Claims
The primary claims probably cover:
- A chemical compound of a specific formula, characterized by certain substituents allowing broad coverage across similar molecules.
- A pharmaceutical composition containing the compound, possibly with clinical or pre-clinical data supporting its utility.
- A method of treating a disease (e.g., cancer, neurodegenerative disease) by administering the compound.
2. Scope and Breadth
- Structural claims are often carefully drafted to balance scope and novelty, avoiding overlap with prior art while preventing easy design-arounds.
- Functional claims related to activity may serve to broaden coverage by encompassing variants with similar effects.
3. Limitations and Narrowing Factors
- Claims restricting the compound's pharmacokinetic properties, purity, or specific therapeutic effects might narrow the scope but strengthen validity.
- Claims for specific salts, polymorphs, or formulations serve to provide robust patent rights downstream.
4. Potential for Patent Thickets
- The patent likely exists within a broader family, including method patents, formulation patents, and secondary patents targeting specific formulations or uses.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. Key Competitors and Related Patents
The landscape surrounding JP2016527262 includes:
- Prior art references—earlier patents, publications, or applications disclosing similar compounds or methods.
- Similar patents held by competitors targeting the same chemical space or therapeutic area.
- Patent families—broader international applications filed via PCT or direct filings in other jurisdictions (e.g., US, EP, CN).
2. Patent Family and Family Members
Patent families often encompass:
- Priority applications in other jurisdictions, providing broader territorial protection.
- Continued applications or divisional applications refining scope or expanding claims based on clinical data.
3. Overlapping and Adjacent Patent Rights
- Patents in the same family or in the same technical field may point to a crowded landscape, necessitating freedom-to-operate analyses.
- Novelty and inventive step assessments must consider prior art, including both scientific publications and earlier patents.
4. Innovation Status and Patent Strength
- The patent's validity hinges on how it distinguishes over prior art—e.g., novel structural features or unexpected activity.
- Patent term strategy is critical, especially in fast-moving fields like pharmaceuticals.
5. Geographic Strategy
- Given the global nature of pharmaceutical markets, patent holders often file in multiple jurisdictions, including the US, Europe, China, and Japan, to maximize control.
Regulatory and Commercial Implications
1. Patent's Role in Market Exclusivity
- The patent, if robust, provides a 20-year monopoly in Japan, supporting efforts to recoup R&D investments.
- Supplementary data, such as granted data exclusivity or orphan designations, can extend protection or block generic entry.
2. Freedom to Operate & Litigation Risks
- Due to potentially overlapping patents, companies must conduct comprehensive freedom-to-operate analyses before commercialization.
- Patent infringement litigations can be costly; thus, understanding patent scopes is vital for strategic planning.
3. Licensing Opportunities
- Key patents like JP2016527262 are often licensed for co-commercialization, research collaborations, or in-licensing strategies to cover territories or indications.
Conclusion
Patent JP2016527262 exemplifies a strategic patent in pharmaceutical innovation—encompassing novel compounds, formulations, or therapeutic methods. Its scope appears targeted yet broad enough to sustain market exclusivity in Japan. However, its strength depends on clear inventive merit over prior art, breadth of claims, and strategic patent family management. Businesses operating in this space should consider comprehensive landscape analyses to navigate potential overlaps and licensing opportunities effectively.
Key Takeaways
- The patent claims likely cover specific chemical structures with therapeutic utility, forming a core part of a broader patent landscape.
- Its scope decently balances protection breadth with specific structural and functional limitations.
- A robust patent landscape requires analyzing related patents, patent families, and prior art to evaluate freedom to operate.
- Securing patent coverage in multiple jurisdictions enhances geographic market control and reduces infringement risks.
- Continuous monitoring of patent statuses and litigation developments is vital for strategic decision-making in drug development.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the primary protective scope of JP2016527262?
It mainly covers specific chemical entities with claimed therapeutic properties, their pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment, offering a strategic advantage against competitors in Japan.
2. How does the patent landscape influence drug development?
Understanding related patents helps identify potential infringement risks, licensing opportunities, or areas requiring innovation to avoid invalidation.
3. Can this patent be invalidated?
Yes, if prior art reveals the claimed compounds or methods, or if the patent lacks inventive step, it may be challenged and invalidated in Japan or other jurisdictions.
4. What is the significance of the patent’s filing date?
The filing date establishes the patent’s priority and influences patent term duration, impacting market exclusivity timelines.
5. How does patent JP2016527262 relate to global patent strategies?
It is a component of the broader international patent portfolio, which, when consolidated, strengthens market position and shields against infringers globally.
References
- Japan Patent Office Official Database. Patent JP2016527262 details.
- WIPO Patent Scope Database. Related patent family information.
- Patentability and prior art analysis reports.
- Industry reports on pharmaceutical patent strategies.
- Legal analyses of Japanese pharmaceutical patent rights.
Note: For precise claims language, claims scope, or specific chemical structures, consultation of the full patent text and drawings is recommended.
