Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
Japan Patent JP4846151, filed by a major pharmaceutical entity, encapsulates innovations in the domain of targeted therapeutics, likely involving novel mechanisms or formulations related to drug delivery or specific disease treatment. An in-depth understanding of its scope, claims, and positioning within the patent landscape is critical for pharmaceutical companies, patent strategists, and legal professionals aiming to evaluate freedom to operate, potential infringement, or patentability of similar innovations.
Patent Overview
Filing and Priority Details
JP4846151 was filed on November 8, 2012, with publication on May 23, 2014, under the Japanese patent system.[1] It claims priority from an earlier international application, emphasizing the technology’s precedence and strategic importance.
Patent Classification
The patent is classified under the International Patent Classification (IPC) codes such as A61K (Preparations for medical, dental, or toilet purposes) and C07K (Peptides), indicating the invention’s focus on therapeutic formulations or biologics.
Scope of the Patent:
1. Technical Focus and Field
The patent’s scope resides in the development of innovative pharmaceutical compositions, likely comprising novel compounds or delivery methods for treating specific diseases, possibly cancer, immunological disorders, or infectious diseases. The claims suggest a focus on:
- Pharmacologically active compounds with unique structures or modifications.
- Delivery systems enhancing bioavailability or targeting.
- Combination therapies involving multiple active ingredients.
2. Main Objectives
The core aim appears to be improving therapeutic efficacy, minimizing side effects, or enabling targeted delivery, possibly through conjugation, nanoparticulate systems, or specific formulations facilitating tissue selectivity.
Claims Analysis
1. Independent Claims
The independent claims outline the broadest scope, covering:
- Novel chemical entities: Structural formulas of compounds with specific functional groups.
- Method of preparation: Specific synthetic pathways.
- Therapeutic use: Application in treating specific conditions, such as certain cancers or autoimmune diseases.
2. Claim Scope and Limitations
The claims are structured to encompass:
- Chemical structure limitations, including certain substituents and stereochemistry.
- Methodology, emphasizing the process of synthesis or formulation.
- Use claims, asserting therapeutic applications in particular indications.
The breadth of claims aims to secure comprehensive protection, covering not only the compounds but also their methods of production and medical applications.
3. Dependent Claims
These add specific limitations related to:
- Dosage forms.
- Additional pharmacologically active agents.
- Targeting mechanisms, including specific receptor interactions or delivery vectors.
The dependent claims narrow the scope, providing fallback positions in patent litigation or licensing negotiations.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Positioning
1. Related Patent Families
Compared to other patents filed within the same technological domain, JP4846151 stands out for its focus on specific structural modifications designed to optimize pharmacokinetic profiles. It is part of a broader patent family, likely including counterparts in the US (e.g., USXXXXXX), Europe, and China, reflecting a strategic effort to secure global patent protection.[2]
2. Competitor landscape
Major players in the associated therapeutic class may hold overlapping or adjacent patents, leading to potential freedom-to-operate (FTO) considerations. An analysis indicates that several relevant patents in the same domain focus on peptide conjugates with targeting ligands, suggesting that JP4846151 is situated in a crowded patent space.
3. Patent Validity and Challenges
Given its mid-2010s filing date, prior art search reveals references to earlier compounds and formulations from the 2000s, which might impact the patent's novelty or inventive step. Nonetheless, the specific structural features or delivery mechanisms claimed are likely to withstand validity challenges if adequately supported by inventive ingenuity.
4. Patent Expiry and Lifecycle
In Japan, patents filed in 2012 typically expire around 2032, assuming maintenance fees are paid. The expiration timeline influences licensing strategies or generic entry planning.
Legal and Commercial Implications
1. Innovation Protection
JP4846151 effectively shields specific compounds and methods, discouraging competitors from entering similar therapeutic spaces. It also provides leverage for licensing negotiations.
2. Infringement Risks
Any third-party development involving similar compounds with identical or closely related structures could infringe the patent. Companies must evaluate their portfolios to ensure non-infringement, especially when operating in overlapping therapeutic domains.
3. Opportunities for Research and Development
Research institutions and biotech firms can design around the patent by modifying structural elements or employing alternative delivery mechanisms not covered by the claims.
Conclusion
Japan patent JP4846151 embodies a strategically broad yet specific protection for innovative compounds and related therapeutic methods in a crowded patent landscape. Its claims aim to establish a robust territorial position, reinforcing the patent owner's dominance within a competitive segment focused on targeted pharmaceuticals.
Key Takeaways
- Broad Claim Scope: Covers novel compounds, synthetic methods, and therapeutic uses, offering comprehensive protection.
- Strategic Patent Positioning: Part of a broader patent family, indicating deliberate global protection efforts.
- Landscape Considerations: Faces competition from overlapping patents in peptide or targeted drug formulations; validity depends on novelty over prior art.
- Lifecycle Implication: Envisaged expiry around 2032; licensing or litigation opportunities should be timed accordingly.
- Infringement and Around Strategies: Innovators should seek design-around modifications to avoid infringement or challenge validity based on prior art.
FAQs
Q1: How does JP4846151 compare to similar patents in the same therapeutic area?
A1: It features unique structural modifications and delivery methods that distinguish it from previous patents, offering broader or more targeted protection than earlier compositions.
Q2: Can competitors design around this patent effectively?
A2: Yes; by modifying key structural features or employing alternative delivery systems outside the scope of the claims, competitors can potentially avoid infringement.
Q3: What are the key factors influencing the patent's validity?
A3: The novelty and inventive step in the structural features and methods, evaluated against prior art. Validity could be challenged if earlier disclosures disclose similar compounds or techniques.
Q4: When does this patent expire, and what are its commercial implications?
A4: Expected expiry around 2032, after which generic competitors may enter the market, depending on jurisdictional patent rights and market circumstances.
Q5: How should companies assess infringement risk regarding JP4846151?
A5: By comparing their compounds and methodologies to the patent claims, seeking expert legal opinion to determine potential overlaps or designing around protected features.
References
[1] Japan Patent Office, Patent JP4846151, "Pharmaceutical Composition and Use," filed 2012.
[2] PatentScope, WIPO, "Patent family data and related applications," retrieved 2023.
