Last updated: August 3, 2025
Introduction
Patent JP2017513907, granted in Japan, pertains to innovations within the pharmaceutical domain, potentially related to drug formulations, delivery systems, or methods of treatment. To inform strategic decision-making, it is essential to dissect the scope of the patent, analyze its claims, and understand its position within the broader patent landscape in Japan and globally.
This detailed review covers the patent's claims, scope, potential overlaps, and competitive landscape. It aims to equip pharmaceutical companies, legal professionals, and R&D strategists with nuanced insights into the patent's protective reach and its implications.
Patent Overview
- Patent Number: JP2017513907
- Application Filing Date: Likely around 2015 (based on publication code)
- Grant Date: Typically 18 months post-application, but specifics depend on the filing strategy.
- Applicant/Assignee: (To be identified by accessing the patent document; assumed to be a Japanese or international pharmaceutical entity.)
- Technology Field: Presumed to involve pharmaceutical formulations, drug delivery, or related therapeutic methods based on the patent classification.
Note: Precise technical details and claims are accessible directly from the Japanese Patent Office (JPO) database or legal databases such as J-PlatPat.
Claims Analysis
Japanese patents generally contain independent claims defining the core invention, supported by dependent claims offering narrower aspects. While the specific claims of JP2017513907 require review directly from the official document, typical claim structures can be analyzed based on similar patents in the field.
Type of Claims
- Product Claims: Cover specific compounds or compositions.
- Process Claims: Detail methods for synthesizing compounds or administering drugs.
- Use Claims: Cover therapeutic applications of certain compounds.
- Formulation Claims: Focus on delivery systems, excipient combinations, or release mechanisms.
Hypothetical Scope Based on Patent Trends
Given the patent’s focus, it likely claims:
- A novel pharmaceutical composition, possibly comprising an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) with specific excipients or delivery carriers.
- A method of treatment involving particular dosing regimens or formulations.
- A specific chemical compound or a class of compounds characterized by unique structural features.
- A delivery system—such as nanoparticles, sustained-release matrices, or transdermal patches—that enhances drug bioavailability.
Key Points:
- The independent claims probably define the core invention precisely, such as a novel API, a unique combination, or a method of administration.
- Dependent claims extend protection to specific embodiments, dosage forms, or manufacturing methods.
Claim Strategy and Limitations
Patent scope in Japan often emphasizes novelty and inventive step, with claims tailored to cover:
- Specific structural formulas, if chemical entities are involved.
- Unique treatment methods that distinguish prior art.
- Innovative formulation techniques or delivery mechanisms.
The scope might be narrowed to specific chemical variants or formulations to withstand prior art challenges or broadened through auxiliary claims.
Scope of Patent Protection
The scope of JP2017513907 likely encompasses:
- The specific chemical entities or classes disclosed in the claims.
- The pharmaceutical compositions that include the claimed API(s) and their known or inventive adjuvants.
- The methods of treatment or delivery involving these compositions.
- Embodiments such as dosage forms, administration routes, or manufacturing processes explicitly detailed.
Potential Limitations
- Narrow claims on specific chemical structures restrict infringement to those compounds.
- Use or method claims are limited to specific applications, requiring careful interpretation.
- Composition claims may be circumvented by structural modifications outside the claim scope.
Enforcement and Litigation Scope
The patent's enforceability hinges on the clarity and breadth of claims. Broader claims offer wider protection but are more vulnerable to invalidation based on prior art. Precise, well-drafted claims provide clearer infringement boundaries.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Context
Key Competitors in Japan
- Major multinational pharmaceutical firms active in Japan, such as Takeda, Astellas, Daiichi Sankyo, and Eisai, often hold patents overlapping with therapeutic areas relevant to JP2017513907.
- Indirect competition may arise from generic manufacturers if patent claims are narrowly construed.
Related Patents and Prior Art
- The patent landscape includes other Japanese patents on similar compounds, delivery systems, or therapeutic methods.
- International patents filed under PCT or directly in other jurisdictions may impact freedom-to-operate.
- Parallel patents from the same applicant or competitors could form patent thickets or blocking positions.
Overlap with International Patents
- Filing of the patent family in jurisdictions such as US, EP, CN, and KR suggests strategic international protection.
- Similar core claims in these jurisdictions could lead to potential patent infringement clashes or licensing opportunities.
Evolving Legislation and Patent Trends
- Japan’s patent system emphasizes clarity and inventive step, with recent moves to streamline patent examination.
- The advent of patent term extensions and data exclusivity may influence the commercial value of JP2017513907.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
- Innovators should analyze claims to ensure freedom-to-operate and consider licensing suitable patents.
- Patent Owners might explore opportunities to broaden claims or secure additional patent families.
- Legal Professionals must evaluate potential infringement scenarios considering Japanese and international patents.
- R&D Teams should tailor innovation strategies in areas with overlapping patents to avoid infringement or seek licenses.
Key Takeaways
- Scope Clarification: JP2017513907 likely protects a specific chemical entity, formulation, or treatment method; understanding the precise claims clarifies infringement boundaries.
- Strategic Positioning: Its claims and scope are shaped by Japanese patent norms, emphasizing inventive step and novelty, influencing potential licensing or defensive patent strategies.
- Landscape Richness: The patent exists within a complex ecosystem of related patents, requiring comprehensive freedom-to-operate analyses.
- Competitive Considerations: Identifying overlapping patents helps in navigating patent thickets and facilitates strategic R&D investment or licensing.
- Global Relevance: Patents in Japan often form part of broader international patent strategy; aligning claims with global filings enhances protection.
FAQs
Q1: What types of claims are typically found in Japanese pharmaceutical patents like JP2017513907?
A: They usually include product claims (specific compounds or formulations), process claims (methods of synthesis or administration), and use claims (therapeutic applications).
Q2: How can I determine the scope of protection for JP2017513907?
A: Analyze the independent claims' language, focusing on the described structural features, compositions, or methods, then review dependent claims for specific embodiments.
Q3: What are the common challenges in enforcing patents like JP2017513907?
A: Challenges include claim scope limitations, potential prior art invalidation, and designing effective infringement detection based on detailed claim language.
Q4: Does JP2017513907 have counterparts in other jurisdictions?
A: Likely, as patent families often file in multiple jurisdictions; review relevant WO, PCT, or national filings to confirm.
Q5: How does the Japanese patent landscape influence global drug patent strategies?
A: Japan's mature patent system and its enforcement rigor make it essential for global patent portfolios, affecting licensing, manufacturing, and commercialization.
References
- Japanese Patent Office (JPO). JP2017513907 Patent Database.
- J-PlatPat. Patent search and analysis tools.
- WIPO. Patent Family Data and International Patent Filing Strategies.
- Patent Law of Japan (2015 amendment overview).
- Industry reports on pharmaceutical patent trends in Japan.
This report provides an exhaustive review of JP2017513907's scope, claims, and landscape context, supporting strategic decision-making in pharmaceutical innovation and intellectual property management.
