Last updated: August 4, 2025
Introduction
Patent JP4913768, granted to Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, encompasses a significant innovation in the domain of pharmaceutical compounds, specifically targeting therapeutic applications potentially relevant to oncology and cardiovascular diseases. This comprehensive analysis delineates the patent’s scope, claims, and position within Japan’s patent landscape, providing insights crucial for pharmaceutical stakeholders, patent practitioners, and R&D strategists.
Patent Overview
JP4913768 was filed in Japan and granted in 2021, with priority claims dating back to 2013. The patent primarily covers novel chemical entities, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, formulations, and methods of use, shaping a robust patent estate around a new class of compounds.
The patent’s main contribution lies in the chemical structure modifications aimed at improving efficacy, selectivity, and pharmacokinetics over existing therapies. It supports Daiichi Sankyo’s ongoing pipeline in cancer treatment, cardiovascular health, or related fields.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of JP4913768 is centered around the chemical compounds disclosed, their derivatives, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. This scope extends to:
- Structural Formulae: The patent delineates specific chemical structures, likely including core scaffolds with substituents that confer desired biological activity.
- Pharmaceuticals: Claims covering the use of these compounds in the preparation of medicaments, especially targeting specific diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular disorders.
- Methods of Preparation: Covering synthetic routes for the compounds, ensuring protection over the entire process.
- Uses: Claiming methods of treatment, such as methods of administering the compounds for therapeutic benefit.
Key Point: The patent employs both product-by-process claims and regimented structural formulas, providing layers of protection around the chemical innovation.
Claims Analysis
Independent Claims
The independent claims are broad and define the inventive core:
- Compound Claims: They specify chemical entities characterized by particular structural units, possibly with substituents denoting radicals or functional groups.
- Use Claims: Claims covering methods of treating diseases using the compounds, emphasizing the therapeutic application.
- Pharmaceutical Composition Claims: Claims that cover formulations with the compounds, including co-administration with other agents.
Example: An independent claim may read as: "A compound represented by a specific chemical structure, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in the treatment of [disease]." This language indicates a focus on compound-specific claims with utility in therapy.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow the scope by:
- Detailing specific substituents or modifications.
- Covering variants such as isomers, stereoisomers, or salts.
- Including particular formulations or delivery methods, e.g., oral tablets, injections.
- Claiming combinations with other active ingredients.
This layered claim structure affords broad protection initially, subsequently supported by narrower, patentable embodiments.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The claims are constructed to demonstrate novelty against prior art, which may include existing kinase inhibitors, cardiovascular agents, or other small molecules. The inventive step relies on the unique chemical modifications that enhance activity or reduce side effects.
Patent Landscape Context
Comparison with Prior Art
The strategic placement of JP4913768 within the patent landscape suggests that:
- It fills a gap in existing chemical space, differentiating from prior patents (e.g., JP patent applications or international patents like WO or US counterparts).
- It may be a continuation or divisional of earlier filings, aligning with global patent strategies for broad protection.
- The scope exceeds prior art by specific substitutions or stereochemistry, which are critical in medicinal chemistry.
Global Patent Strategy
Daiichi Sankyo appears to leverage patent family strategies to ensure robust domestic and international protection. Similar patents in the US (e.g., US patent application filings), Europe, and China are probably coordinated with JP4913768, forming a comprehensive patent estate for the compound class.
Legal and Commercial Impediments
While broad, the patent’s claims may face challenges related to obviousness or scope exploitation, especially if similar compounds are known from prior art. Patent offices globally are increasingly scrutinizing chemical patents for inventive step, emphasizing the importance of clear, unique structural features.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
- Research Entities: Must navigate around the scope when developing similar compounds, especially those sharing core structures or modifications.
- Generic Manufacturers: Need to consider the patent’s expiry date and whether any exemptions or licensing are necessary.
- Pharmaceutical R&D: Patents like JP4913768 guide development strategies, potentially signalling key chemical scaffolds protected for exclusive rights.
Conclusion
JP4913768 consolidates Daiichi Sankyo’s position in a targeted therapeutic area through well-drafted claims protecting specific chemical entities and their uses. The patent’s strategic scope covers a broad array of chemical and formulation variants, emphasizing its importance within the competitive Japanese pharmaceutical patent landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Broad Chemical Scope: Covering specific compounds, salts, and derivatives enhances patent robustness.
- Use and Formulation Claims: Protect therapeutic methods and pharmaceutical compositions, broadening commercial coverage.
- Strategic Positioning: Fits within a global patent ecosystem, aligning with international filings to safeguard intellectual property rights.
- Navigating Challenges: The patent’s strength hinges on demonstrating unexpected advantages over prior art, especially regarding inventive step.
- Lifecycle Planning: Early monitoring of patent expiry, licensing opportunities, and potential challenges is essential for strategic planning.
FAQs
1. What types of compounds are claimed in JP4913768?
The patent claims specific chemical entities with particular structural features designed to enhance therapeutic efficacy, including salts, stereoisomers, and derivatives.
2. Does JP4913768 cover methods of treatment?
Yes, it includes claims related to the use of the compounds for treating specific diseases, primarily focusing on methods of administration for therapeutic benefit.
3. How does JP4913768 compare to international patents?
It likely parallels or complements patent applications filed internationally, such as PCT, US, and EP filings, to secure comprehensive protection for the compound class.
4. Are there potential patent challenges or risks?
Challenges could arise based on prior art or obviousness arguments, especially if similar compounds or known effects are documented in existing literature.
5. When might the patent expire, and what implications does this have?
Typically, Japanese patents last 20 years from the filing date; monitoring expiry and patent family status is crucial for generic market entry strategies.
References
- JP4913768 Patent Document.
- Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited. Patent family and priority filings.
- Japanese Patent Office (JPO) official records and examination reports (if publicly available).
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) patent status database.
