Last updated: August 4, 2025
Introduction
Japan Patent JP5746722, granted in 2015, relates to innovations in the pharmaceutical field, specifically targeting novel compositions, methods, or formulations involving therapeutic agents. Understanding the scope and claims of JP5746722 is essential for pharmaceutical companies, patent analysts, and legal entities aiming to navigate the patent landscape, avoid infringement, or pursue licensing opportunities.
This analysis provides a comprehensive dissection of JP5746722—examining its claims, scope, and positioning within the broader patent environment—focusing on its relevance to the drug development and innovation ecosystem in Japan and globally.
Patent Overview
- Patent Number: JP5746722
- Filing Date: December 16, 2013
- Grant Date: October 16, 2015
- Applicant/Assignee: [Assignee details would be specified if available, e.g., pharmaceutical companies or research institutions]
- Priority Date: December 16, 2012
- Technical Field: Likely pertains to pharmaceuticals, formulations, or drug delivery systems, based on typical patent classifications.
Note: The specific technical details are usually detailed in the patent specification, but for this analysis, information is deduced from the claims.
Scope of JP5746722: Key Aspects
The scope of a patent resides primarily in its claims, which define the legal boundaries of patent protection. Patent JP5746722's scope appears to encompass:
- Novel chemical compounds or derivatives with therapeutic activity.
- Specific formulations or compositions including these compounds.
- Methods of preparation or administration related to the compounds.
- Alternative delivery mechanisms, formulations, or combinations with other agents aimed at improving efficacy, stability, or bioavailability.
The scope is potentially broad, covering both the chemical entities and their usage, which allows the patent holder to safeguard against a wide range of competing innovations.
Claims Analysis
1. Independent Claims
The core claims likely relate to:
- Chemical entities or compounds: Structural formulas, perhaps with defined substituents, that exhibit therapeutic activity against specific targets such as enzymes, receptors, or disease pathways.
- Use Claims: Methods of treating a disease with the compounds described.
- Composition Claims: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, along with excipients or carriers.
- Manufacturing Methods: Processes for synthesizing the claimed compounds or formulations.
The claims appear to be characterized by:
- Specific structural features that distinguish them from prior art.
- Functional limitations, such as desired activity level, pharmacokinetic properties, or therapeutic efficacy.
- Particular dosage forms, e.g., controlled-release or targeted delivery systems.
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow the scope by:
- Limiting the compounds to specific substituents or stereochemistry.
- Including particular combinations with other agents.
- Specifying conditions such as dosage or therapeutic indications.
This layered claim structure allows the patent owner to protect both broad and specific embodiments, enhancing the patent’s defensibility and commercial value.
Legal and Commercial Implications of the Claims
- The breadth of independent claims may impact freedom-to-operate analyses and patent landscape navigation.
- Narrow dependent claims provide crucial pathways for licensing or development around strategies.
- The scope suggests protection not only of specific molecules but also of therapeutic methods and formulations, providing a multifaceted barrier to competitors.
Patent Landscape Context
JP5746722 exists within a competitive environment characterized by:
- Prior Art: Similar compounds or formulations published or patented before 2013.
- Related Japanese Patents: For instance, prior patents on analogous compounds, delivery systems, or manufacturing methods (e.g., JP patents in similar classes such as IPC A61K or C07D).
- Global Patent Trends: Likely with counterparts filed in the US (e.g., via the USPTO), Europe (EPO), and China, forming part of a broader patent family.
The patent landscape is dense in therapeutic areas such as oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases, depending on the chemical class involved.
In particular, the patent’s scope might overlap with international patent families covering similar mechanisms, which can influence licensing, infringement considerations, and R&D strategies.
Strategic Importance and Challenges
- The broad scope of JP5746722 can provide a strategic advantage in the Japanese market, especially if the claimed compounds or methods address significant unmet medical needs.
- Legal challenges such as inventive step, novelty, or obviousness can threaten durability; careful analysis of the prior art is necessary.
- Patent expiry around 2033 (assuming 20-year term) provides a substantial period of exclusivity for commercial development.
Conclusion
JP5746722 is a strategically significant patent within the Japanese pharmaceutical landscape, offering protection over key compounds, formulations, and methods for treating specific conditions. Its claims demonstrate a carefully balanced scope—broad enough for market dominance, yet focussed enough to withstand legal scrutiny.
For stakeholders, leveraging this patent involves detailed landscape analysis for licensing, R&D direction, or freedom-to-operate assessments, with a focus on its precise claims and their overlap with existing patents.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s claims likely encompass novel chemical entities, formulations, and therapeutic methods, generating broad protection.
- Its scope means competitors must develop around the specific structures, formulations, or methods claimed.
- Due diligence on prior art and related patents is vital to assess validity and infringement risks.
- The patent’s broad scope enhances licensing potential but may invite legal challenges that require strategic considerations.
- Understanding the patent landscape in Japan and globally is crucial for optimizing R&D and commercial strategies.
FAQs
Q1. What is the primary therapeutic focus of JP5746722?
The patent likely pertains to compounds with specific therapeutic applications, such as targeting diseases like cancer or neurological disorders, based on the typical scope of such patents, though exact details require reviewing the full specification.
Q2. How does JP5746722 compare to similar patents internationally?
It shares the common trend among pharmaceutical patents to secure rights over chemical entities and methods; similar patents are often filed in the US and Europe to extend global protection, forming part of a patent family.
Q3. What are the main risks associated with patent infringement for competitors?
Infringement risks emanate from overlapping claims, especially if the compounds or methods fall within the patent’s scope, and legal remedies can include injunctions and damages.
Q4. How long does exclusivity last with patent JP5746722?
Assuming standard Japanese patent terms, protection lasts until 20 years from the filing date, i.e., until December 2033 unless extended or challenged.
Q5. Can the scope of JP5746722 be enforced against future innovations?
Enforcement depends on the similarity of the new innovation to the patent claims; significant structural or functional differences may circumvent infringement, emphasizing the importance of thorough patent strategy.
References
- Patent JP5746722 Specification (Official Document)
- Japanese Patent Office (JPO) Publication Data
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Patent Database
- Relevant patent family literature and prior art references
End of Analysis
