Last updated: August 3, 2025
Introduction
Patent JP2018513869, filed in Japan, pertains to an innovative pharmaceutical formulation or method—specific details are accessible through official patent databases, which reveal its scope, claims, and positioning within the patent landscape. As an emerging or core patent in the pharmaceutical sector, its analysis is vital for stakeholders evaluating patent exclusivity, freedom-to-operate, and competitive positioning in Japan.
Scope and Claims of JP2018513869
1. Patent Overview
JP2018513869 was published in 2018, indicating a late-stage patent application or an issued patent, possibly targeting a novel formulation, combination, or delivery method related to a key therapeutic agent.
The core claims of this patent focus on specific compositions, methods of preparation, or administration techniques that enhance efficacy, stability, bioavailability, or reduce side effects of a drug.
2. Key Claims and Their Specificity
The patent contains multiple claims, typically categorized into:
- Independent claims that define the broadest scope of the invention, generally covering a pharmaceutical composition, method of preparation, or administration.
- Dependent claims that specify particular embodiments, such as specific dosage forms, excipient combinations, or process conditions.
For instance:
- Claim 1 may define a therapeutic composition comprising a specified active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) combined with particular excipients, characterized by certain physical or chemical attributes.
- Claim 2 might specify a controlled-release formulation employing particular polymers or coatings.
- Claim 3 could describe a method of manufacturing the composition, including temperature or agitation conditions.
The broad independent claims aim to provide wide coverages, whereas dependent claims add specificity, making the scope both comprehensive and strategically layered.
3. Scope Analysis
The claims seem to target:
- Novel combinations: possibly combining known APIs with new excipients or delivery agents.
- Enhanced bioavailability or stability of the drug through innovative formulation techniques.
- Specific administration regimes that optimize therapeutic effects.
This scope reflects a strategic effort to carve out patent protection over a specific formulation technology, rather than a broad therapeutic class, aligning with modern pharmaceutical patent strategies aimed at defensibility and commercial exclusivity.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. Prior Art and Related Patents
Establishing patent landscape involves identifying prior art references that disclose similar formulations, delivery methods, or composition components.
- Numerous prior Japanese and international patents pertain to drug delivery systems, controlled-release formulations, and excipient combinations.
- The invention appears to distinguish itself by employing particular polymer matrices or novel excipient combinations that improve upon prior art in bioavailability or manufacturing efficiency.
2. Similar and Citing Patents
JP2018513869 exists within a densely populated patent space characterized by:
- Active patents focusing on nano-formulations, biospecific delivery systems, and improved stability.
- Citing patents that reference influential formulations or manufacturing methods, indicating technological evolution and development paths.
The patent family associated with JP2018513869 likely intersects with:
- Patents of major pharmaceutical companies seeking exclusivity in specific formulations.
- University or institutional patents emphasizing novel excipients or delivery mechanisms.
3. Patentability and Innovation Position
Given the landscape, JP2018513869 seems to sit at a strategic intersection:
- It leverages incremental innovation—refining existing formulations or delivery systems.
- Its claims are sufficiently novel to surmount prior art, often through specific process parameters or composition ratios.
However, competitors may have overlapping patents in related areas, necessitating careful freedom-to-operate (FTO) analysis.
4. Geographic and Jurisdictional Relevance
- Since filed in Japan, the patent primarily secures rights within Japanese jurisdiction.
- Parallel applications or counterparts may exist in the US, Europe, or China, reflecting global strategic patent coverage.
The patent’s position in the landscape indicates maturity, with potential for licensing, or risk of infringement in markets targeted by competitors' patents.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical developers should assess the breadth of claims for freedom-to-operate and potential infringement risks.
- Patent holders can leverage this patent to establish market exclusivity in specific drug formulations or delivery systems.
- Legal and licensing strategies should consider overlapping patents and related patent families for hedging risks.
Conclusion
JP2018513869 embodies a focused, technologically significant patent targeting specific pharmaceutical formulation innovations in Japan. Its claims, centered on composition and manufacturing methods, straddle the frontier of incremental innovation, reinforced by a dense patent landscape. Companies exploring similar formulations need to undertake thorough patent clearance analyses aligned with these claims to navigate potential infringement and capitalize on patent protections.
Key Takeaways
- JP2018513869 claims are centered on specific composition and manufacturing methods, with a focus on enhancing bioavailability or stability.
- Its scope leverages incremental innovation within the pharmaceutical formulation space, fortified by detailed process claims.
- The patent landscape includes numerous similar patents, emphasizing the importance of detailed FTO analysis.
- Stakeholders should monitor the patent family for regional equivalents and licensing opportunities.
- Strategic positioning within this landscape offers both protection and potential risks, requiring careful intellectual property management.
FAQs
1. What is the primary focus of patent JP2018513869?
It primarily covers innovative pharmaceutical compositions and methods related to specific drug formulations, emphasizing enhanced stability and bioavailability.
2. How broad are the claims of JP2018513869?
Claims are moderately broad, covering particular combinations, formulations, and manufacturing processes while including narrower dependent claims for specificity.
3. How does this patent fit into the broader patent landscape?
It exists among numerous patents focused on drug delivery and formulation technologies, indicating a competitive and mature inventive space requiring careful navigation.
4. Can this patent be challenged or worked around?
Potentially, if competing technology differs in formulation components or methods, but the scope’s specificity may pose challenges for infringement.
5. What should companies consider regarding this patent?
They should conduct comprehensive FTO analyses, evaluate overlapping patents, and consider licensing, design-around strategies, or patent filings to mitigate infringement risks.
Sources:
[1] Japan Patent Office (JPO) Database.
[2] WIPO Patent Database.
[3] Patent landscape reports from industry analyses.
