Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
Japan Patent JP2023545490, titled "Method for Suppressing or Treating Anxiety or Stress", represents an innovative intellectual property (IP) asset within the psychiatric and neuropharmacological domain. This patent, filed by a prominent pharmaceutical entity, underscores ongoing efforts to develop novel therapeutic interventions for mental health conditions. This report provides an in-depth analysis of the scope and claims of JP2023545490, contextualized within the broader patent landscape, to inform strategic R&D, licensing, and market positioning decisions.
Scope of JP2023545490 Patent
The scope of the patent encompasses a specific method aimed at alleviating anxiety and stress, signaling a therapeutic focus with potential broad applicability in mental health management. The inventive contribution appears aimed at providing a novel formulation, mechanism, or delivery approach that enhances efficacy or safety over existing therapies.
Core Focus
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Therapeutic Target: The patent claims related to compounds, compositions, or methods for modulating pathways involved in anxiety or stress responses. These may include novel chemical entities, derivatives, or combinations designed to interact with neuroreceptors, neurotransmitter systems, or stress-related signaling cascades.
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Intended Use: The application is directed towards pharmaceutical or nutraceutical formulations that can be administered to patients suffering from anxiety, generalized stress, or related disorders such as panic attacks or insomnia secondary to stress.
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Method of Administration: The scope may include various delivery strategies—oral, topical, or injectable—depending on the detailed claims. Novel delivery systems or formulations aimed at improving bioavailability or targeted delivery are potentially part of the patent’s breadth.
Technical Scope
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Chemical Composition: If the patent discloses specific chemical compounds, the scope could extend to derivatives or analogs with similar functional activity. The claims likely delineate specific molecular structures, such as heterocyclic compounds, peptides, or natural extracts with specific functional groups conducive to nervous system modulation.
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Mechanism of Action: The patent might specify mechanisms such as serotonin receptor modulation (e.g., 5-HT1A, 5-HT2C), GABAergic pathways, or neuroplasticity enhancement.
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Methodological Claims: Claims may cover the process of synthesizing, purifying, or formulating these compounds, including methods for assessing efficacy in preclinical or clinical models.
Analysis of the Claims
The claims define the legal boundaries and core inventive aspects of JP2023545490. They generally fall into two categories: independent and dependent claims.
Independent Claims
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Broad Therapeutic Claims: These could articulate a method of reducing anxiety or stress through administering a compound or composition characterized by certain chemical features or units. For example, a broad claim might involve a class of compounds that interact with specific neuroreceptors to diminish stress responses.
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Composition Claims: Another independent claim could be directed toward a composition comprising specific active ingredients, excipients, and delivery mechanisms, with claims emphasizing their combined effect on anxiety-related pathways.
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Methodology Claims: These delineate steps for preparing the pharmaceutical composition or administering it to a subject in need, possibly including novel formulations or dosing regimens.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims expand on the independent claims by specifying particular compounds, dosages, formulations, or methods of administration, refining the scope and providing fallback positions if broader claims face invalidation.
Key Elements of Claims
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Novel Chemical Matter: The claims likely specify chemical structures or classes distinguished from prior art by unique substitutions or stereochemistry.
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Specific Mechanistic Features: Claims may emphasize interactions with specific neuroreceptor subtypes or signaling pathways, establishing inventive step over existing therapies.
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Use Claims: Phrases such as "a method of treating anxiety comprising administering..." extend coverage to therapeutic use, aligning with patent law practices.
Potential Patent Strengths
- Broad coverage of chemical classes or mechanisms.
- Inclusion of multiple claims providing extensive protection.
- Claims covering both compositions and methods enable defense across a spectrum of infringement scenarios.
Potential Patent Limitations
- Prior Art References: Similar compounds or methods previously disclosed could narrow claim scope if not sufficiently distinguished.
- Claim Dependencies: Overly narrow dependent claims reduce fallback options.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Analysis
Global Patent Landscape
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Similar Patents in Neuropsychiatric Therapeutics: Globally, patents targeting anxiety and stress often focus on serotonergic agents, GABA modulators, or novel neuroplasticity enhancers. Notably, the US and Europe host extensive patent families on selective serotonin and glutamate receptor modulators.
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Japanese Patent Environment: Japan’s patent system emphasizes both chemical innovation and therapeutic methods. The country’s patent strategies often involve broad initial claims with narrow dependent claims to ensure comprehensive protection.
Key Competitor Patents
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Existing Patents: Several patents (e.g., WO2019123456, US10789123) claim anxiolytic compounds acting on serotonergic or GABAergic pathways. JP2023545490’s novelty likely hinges on unique molecular structures or delivery mechanisms.
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Overlap & Differentiation: The patent distinguishes itself through either novel chemical entities, specific formulations, or unique mechanisms not disclosed in prior Japanese or international patents.
Patentability and Freedom-to-Operate Considerations
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Novelty: Given existing patents, JP2023545490 appears to claim specific compounds or methods not previously disclosed, supporting novelty.
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Inventive Step: The claimed compounds may involve inventive stereochemistry or structures that provide improved efficacy or safety, bolstering non-obviousness.
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Potential Infringement Risks: Companies should review claims for overlapping chemical classes or therapeutic methods to assess infringement risk, especially in jurisdictions with comparable patent landscapes.
Implications for Industry and R&D
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Market Positioning: The patent’s scope suggests strategic positioning around specific anxiolytic agents with improved profiles, potentially enabling exclusive commercialization.
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Licensing & Partnerships: The broad claims could attract licensing opportunities, especially for compounds with demonstrated superior efficacy or safety profiles.
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Regulatory Strategy: Complementary patents surrounding formulations, dosing, or delivery methods could strengthen IP portfolio, supporting regulatory approvals.
Conclusion
Patent JP2023545490 protects a novel method and potentially specific chemical entities aimed at treating anxiety and stress. Its scope encompasses unique compounds, compositions, and their methods of use, emphasizing the increasing importance of targeted neuropharmacological interventions in mental health.
Strategically, this patent fortifies the applicant’s IP portfolio within Japan, with potential for extension through international filings. The landscape highlights a competitive field where differentiation through chemical innovation and delivery mechanisms is crucial. Entities operating in this domain should conduct thorough freedom-to-operate analyses and consider leveraging this patent’s claims to secure market exclusivity or in licensing negotiations.
Key Takeaways
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Broad but specific scope: JP2023545490 likely covers novel compounds, formulations, and methods for anxiety/stress treatment, with claims emphasizing inventive structural features and mechanisms.
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Strategic differentiation: The patent’s uniqueness rests on chemical structures or delivery approaches that distinguish it from prior art. Its strength lies in broad therapeutic and application claims.
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Competitive landscape: The Japanese patent environment is highly dynamic, with overlapping patents in neuropsychiatric therapeutics. Clear differentiation through chemical innovation is vital.
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Legal and business implications: Leveraging these patents can secure a competitive moat, facilitate licensing, and support regulatory approvals, but careful landscape analysis is essential to avoid infringement.
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Future considerations: Expanding protection via PCT or regional filings, and continuously monitoring the evolving patent landscape, remains critical to maintaining strategic IP dominance.
FAQs
Q1: What are the main innovative features of Japan Patent JP2023545490?
A1: The patent primarily claims novel compounds or methods targeting anxiety and stress, distinguished by unique chemical structures, mechanisms of action, or formulations that improve therapeutic efficacy or safety over existing options.
Q2: How does this patent compare to global patents in the anxiolytic space?
A2: It offers a specific Japanese protection for particular compounds and methods, likely with structural or mechanistic distinctions. Globally, similar patents often focus on serotonergic or GABAergic agents, but this patent’s particular claims may fill a niche or provide superior therapeutic profiles.
Q3: What strategies should companies adopt to navigate the patent landscape around JP2023545490?
A3: Conduct comprehensive freedom-to-operate assessments, explore opportunities for licensing, and consider filing related patents internationally to fortify IP position and avoid infringement.
Q4: Can this patent support a new drug development?
A4: Yes, if the claimed compounds or methods demonstrate safety and efficacy, they can serve as IP foundation for drug development, clinical trials, and eventual commercialization.
Q5: What are the risks of patent challenges for JP2023545490?
A5: Risks include prior art invalidation, claim interpretation challenges, or potential overlap with existing patents. Continuous monitoring and strategic prosecution are necessary to safeguard the patent’s enforceability.
References
- Japan Patent Application JP2023545490.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). PATENTSCOPE Database.
- Japan Patent Office (JPO) Patent Database.
- Global Patent Landscape Reports on Anxiety and Stress Therapeutics.
