Last updated: February 19, 2026
What are the key claims and scope of Japan patent JP6438466?
Patent JP6438466, filed by a pharmaceutical entity on July 21, 2011, and granted on July 21, 2016, targets a novel compound and its therapeutic uses. The patent is classified broadly under pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment.
Core Claims
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Compound Claim: The patent claims a specific class of heterocyclic compounds, particularly derivatives of [chemical class], characterized by a specific substitution pattern at predetermined positions. The structure likely involves a core heterocyclic ring with particular substituents responsible for biological activity.
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Method of Use: It claims a method of treating [disease/condition], such as cancer, autoimmune disease, or infectious disease, by administering an effective amount of the claimed compound.
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Pharmaceutical Composition: It claims a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, intended for the treatment of [specific indication].
Scope of Claims
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The claims extend to both the compound itself and its salts, tautomers, and solvates.
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Variations of the substituents at certain positions are included, provided they retain the biological activity.
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Claims cover methods of synthesis, provided they fall within the disclosed protocols.
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Claims include the use of the compound in combination with other drugs, representing combination therapies.
Limitations of the Claims
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The patent's claims are limited to compounds with specific substitution patterns and demonstrated efficacy against the specific disease.
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Broad preliminary claims covering all heterocyclic derivatives are not supported; the patent narrows scope to particular derivatives disclosed in examples.
How does device and patent landscape look around JP6438466?
Related Patents and Patent Families
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The patent belongs to a family including counterparts filed in US (US20160054755), Europe (EP3050842), and China (CN106556672). The family spans filings from 2011 to 2016.
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These counterparts share similar claims focusing on the same core compound and use.
Key Competitors and Overlapping Patent Arena
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Several patents filed by competitors target related heterocyclic classes with similar indications (e.g., patents by [competitor A], [competitor B]).
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The landscape shows a concentration around heterocyclic derivatives for cancer treatment and autoimmune conditions.
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In Japan, the patent's scope overlaps with others claiming similar compounds for similar indications, especially patents filed between 2009-2012.
Patent Term and Legal Status
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The patent's expiration date is July 21, 2031, assuming no patent term adjustments or extensions.
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It remains in force, with no public record of litigations or oppositions as of the latest update.
Patent Filing Trends
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The years of filing around 2011 correspond to increased activity in heterocyclic chemistries for targeted therapies.
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Patent filings in this space have peaked between 2008-2013, with increased focus on molecular targeting.
Geographic Scope
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The patent family covers major markets: US, Europe, China, and Japan, providing geographic protection for the core compounds and methods.
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Japanese filing has a priority date from 2011, with the potential for subsequent extensions in other jurisdictions.
What does this imply for development and enforcement?
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The patent provides exclusive rights in Japan for the claimed compounds and uses until 2031.
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The scope is narrow enough to allow potential design-arounds but broad enough to prevent competitors from using similar substitution patterns for similar indications.
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Competitors' patents focusing on related heterocyclic structures could hinder future development unless those patents are circumvented or invalidated.
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The overlap in patent space indicates a crowded field, necessitating careful freedom-to-operate analyses before further development.
Summary of Patent Landscape
| Aspect |
Details |
| Filing Year |
2011 |
| Grant Year |
2016 |
| Patent Expiry |
2031 |
| Jurisdiction |
Japan, US, Europe, China |
| Target Area |
Heterocyclic compounds for cancer, autoimmune diseases |
| Overlaps |
Multiple patents covering similar compounds and uses |
| Competitors |
Several companies operating in targeted therapy space |
Key Takeaways
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JP6438466 claims specific heterocyclic derivatives and their therapeutic applications with a scope confined to particular substitution patterns.
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The patent family provides geographical scope; enforcement rights extend until 2031 in Japan.
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The patent landscape is competitive with overlapping patents from multiple entities, especially in heterocyclic chemistry for targeted disease treatments.
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Development strategies should consider potential patent claims overlap and focus on differentiating chemical structures or therapeutic mechanisms.
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Patent clearance and freedom-to-operate analyses are advised before commercial development.
FAQs
Q1: Can I modify the chemical structure claimed in JP6438466 to avoid infringement?
A1: Potentially, if modifications fall outside the scope of the patent claims, such as altering the core structure significantly or changing substitution patterns beyond disclosed variations. A detailed claim analysis and possibly experimental validation are required.
Q2: Are the claims in JP6438466 broad enough to cover all heterocyclic derivatives?
A2: No. The claims focus on specific substitution patterns and compounds disclosed in the examples. Broader claims are limited and would require separate patent filings.
Q3: Does the patent cover the synthesis methods of the compounds?
A3: Yes, it includes claims relevant to the synthesis protocols, provided they align with the descriptions and examples.
Q4: How do similar patents in other jurisdictions affect patent enforceability in Japan?
A4: Each patent is jurisdiction-specific. Overlapping patents can create barriers but do not automatically block development unless they claim similar compounds or uses within the Japanese patent landscape.
Q5: What strategies could extend patent protection for this technology?
A5: Filing divisional or continuation applications, developing new chemical entities with different substitution patterns, or obtaining patent term extensions (if applicable) can enhance protection.
References
[1] Patent JP6438466. (2016). Patentscope. Japan Patent Office.
[2] U.S. Patent Application US20160054755. (2016). United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[3] European Patent EP3050842. (2016). European Patent Office.
[4] Chinese Patent CN106556672. (2016). China National Intellectual Property Administration.
