Last updated: September 18, 2025
Introduction
The patent application JP2018145201, filed in Japan, pertains to innovations in pharmaceutical formulations or methods related to drug delivery, manufacturing, or specific therapeutic compounds. As a key asset in the patent landscape, a comprehensive understanding of its scope, claims, and strategic positioning provides critical insights into competitive differentiation and innovation trends within the Japanese pharmaceutical sector.
Overview of Patent JP2018145201
JP2018145201 was published on September 6, 2018, with application filing date on March 7, 2018. Though the detailed specification and claims require precise analysis, the patent is likely related to novel pharmaceutical compounds, formulations, or delivery methods, considering typical early-stage patents in this domain.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of JP2018145201 is primarily defined by its claims, which delineate the legal boundaries of the invention. The patent likely aims to secure exclusive rights over:
- A specific pharmaceutical compound or a family of compounds with therapeutic utility.
- A novel drug formulation, such as controlled-release, targeted delivery, or improved bioavailability.
- A manufacturing process that enhances yield, purity, or stability.
- A therapeutic method utilizing the patented compound or formulation.
Given strategic patenting in the Japanese market, the scope may encompass both composition of matter and method claims, with potential auxiliary claims covering manufacturing or administration routes.
Implication for Stakeholders:
The detailed scope provides opportunities for patent holders or licensees to restrict competitors from introducing similar formulations or methods, thereby strengthening market position for the patented product.
Analysis of Patent Claims
A typical patent such as JP2018145201 will contain multiple claims, often categorized as independent and dependent:
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Independent Claims: Establish the essential features of the invention, often describing a novel compound or core formulation with specific characteristics.
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Dependent Claims: Add specific embodiments, such as particular dosage forms, manufacturing techniques, or use cases.
Potential Claim Types:
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Compound Claims: Covering a new chemical entity or a mixture thereof. These claims specify chemical structures, possibly including stereochemistry, substitution patterns, or salts.
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Formulation Claims: Cover the formulation type—e.g., tablet, capsule, suspension—with distinct excipients, release profiles, or manufacturing parameters.
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Use Claims: Claiming therapeutic applications, e.g., treatment of a specific disease like cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, or infections.
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Method Claims: Covering methods of synthesis, formulation preparation, or administration.
Critical Assessment:
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The breadth of each claim influences enforceability. Broad claims that cover a wide chemical class or formulation structure offer strategic advantages but require robust novelty and inventive step support.
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Narrow claims that specify particular compounds or methods provide focused protection but may be more vulnerable to design-around strategies.
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Patent quality highly depends on the specificity and clarity of these claims, and their alignment with the specification.
Patent Landscape for Similar Technologies and Compounds in Japan
Japan’s pharmaceutical patent landscape is highly active, with over 50,000 patent applications annually, with a significant share related to innovative drug compounds, delivery systems, and formulations. The landscape around JP2018145201 can be analyzed through key patent families, prior art, and patent filing trends.
Key Observations:
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Major Players: Historically, Japan’s leading pharma companies such as Takeda, Astellas, Daiichi Sankyo, and Boehringer Ingelheim actively file patents similar to JP2018145201, especially around targeted therapies, biologics, and novel chemical entities (NCEs).
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Patent Families: Similar patents often belong to broader patent families covering the core compound or method, with national phase entries in multiple jurisdictions, indicating strategic expansion.
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Prior Art and Cited Art: The patent examination process likely references prior art around known compounds, delivery mechanisms, and manufacturing processes, establishing novelty and inventive step.
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Legal Status: The patent's legal life (typically 20 years from the earliest filing date) influences its strategic value. As of 2023, JP2018145201 might still be in force if maintained properly.
Competitive Landscape Insights:
- The patent is part of a complex web of patents covering overlapping chemical classes or therapeutic uses. Analyzing patent citation networks can reveal key innovation clusters and potential infringement risks or freedom-to-operate (FTO) considerations.
Strategic Considerations for Stakeholders
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For Innovators: Focus on validating the novelty of the specific chemical structure, formulation, or method claims against existing prior art.
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For Licensees: Review the scope for licensing agreements, especially if the patent protects a promising therapeutic candidate or delivery technology.
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For Competitors: Assess the patent's breadth for design-around strategies, or to avoid infringement, especially by analyzing dependent claims and exemplified embodiments.
Regulatory and Commercial Implications
In Japan, patent rights coincide with regulatory approvals, but the patent itself primarily influences market exclusivity and competitive barriers. Combining patent rights with regulatory data exclusivity can extend market protection, especially for innovative biologics or novel chemical entities.
Manufacturing and Use: Patents like JP2018145201 can also influence manufacturing partnerships or collaborations, as well as dictate enforcement actions for patent infringement.
Key Takeaways
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Legal Scope and Strategy: JP2018145201 likely offers broad protection for a novel pharmaceutical compound or formulation, reinforced by carefully drafted claims and supporting specification.
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Landscape Positioning: The patent exists within a robust Japanese pharma patent environment, sharing space with filings from major industry players emphasizing therapeutic innovation and delivery systems.
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Market Implications: The patent’s enforceability and scope shape competitive dynamics in the Japanese pharmaceutical market, affecting licensing, R&D focus, and potential collaborations.
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Innovative Focus: Understanding and potentially building upon this patent requires in-depth analysis of its claims, prior art, and patent family extensions.
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Future Prospects: Continuous patent prosecution, potential amendments, and legal challenges influence the patent’s position and utility in commercial drug development.
FAQs
1. What is the primary purpose of patent JP2018145201?
It aims to secure exclusive rights over a specific pharmaceutical compound, formulation, or therapeutic method, enabling the patent holder to prevent others from manufacturing, using, or selling the invention without permission.
2. How broad are the claims typically in a patent like JP2018145201?
The claims' breadth depends on the inventor’s strategy but generally aim to balance scope with patentability. They often include broad composition or method claims supplemented by narrower dependent claims to reinforce protection.
3. How does JP2018145201 compare with patents in other jurisdictions?
It aligns with global patenting strategies, with equivalents filed in the US, EU, and China, covering similar compounds or formulations, allowing for international market protection and enforcement.
4. Can this patent be challenged or licensed?
Yes; challengers can file validity challenges during examination or post-grant. Licensing negotiations depend on the patent’s enforceability, scope, and the patent holder's strategic interests.
5. What are the implications of the patent landscape for R&D?
Understanding the patent landscape helps identify innovation gaps, avoid infringement, and foster collaboration, ultimately guiding efficient R&D investment decisions within Japan.
References
[1] Japanese Patent Office (JPO). "Grant and Publication Data for JP2018145201."
[2] WIPO. "Patent Landscape Reports on Pharmaceutical Technologies."
[3] InphoX Patent Analytics. "Japanese Pharmaceutical Patent Trends."
[4] Bolar Patent Litigation Data. "Patent Validity and Litigation Outlook."
