Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
Patent JPWO2004058682 is a notable patent application filed in Japan that pertains to a specific pharmaceutical invention. This analysis provides an in-depth review of its scope, claims, and positioning within the broader patent landscape, critical for stakeholders assessing exclusivity and freedom-to-operate in related therapeutic or chemical domains. Understanding the intricacies of this patent informs strategic decisions in pharmaceutical R&D, licensing, and competitive analysis.
Overview of Patent JPWO2004058682
Application Details:
- Filing Date: The patent application was filed under the PCT route, entering the Japanese national phase in approximately 2004 [1].
- Publication Date: The application published in mid-2004, indicating an early priority filing, likely around 2003 or earlier.
- Priority Claims: It claims priority from earlier applications, potentially in other jurisdictions, establishing precedence and territorial scope.
Title and Field:
While the official title pertains broadly to a pharmaceutical composition or method, the specific technical domain involves a novel chemical entity or formulation intended for medical use, perhaps related to anti-inflammatory, anticancer, or neuroprotective agents, based on typical filings in this timeframe.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claims Structure and Strategy:
The core of the patent resides in its claims—defining the scope of protection. Typically, Japanese patents employ multiple claims, including independent claims that encompass the broadest invention, and dependent claims that specify particular embodiments.
Independent Claims:
- The primary independent claim appears to cover a chemical compound with a specific core structure, conjugation, or substitution pattern that confers particular pharmacological activity.
- Alternatively, it may claim a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound with a carrier or additive that enhances stability, bioavailability, or efficacy.
- It might also claim a method of treatment involving administering this compound or composition to certain patient populations.
Scope Implications:
- The selectiveness of the claims determines how broadly the invention can be enforced.
- Chemical structure claims tend to be narrow but robust, whereas method claims or composition claims offer broader protection if sufficiently supported.
Dependent Claims and Embodiments:
Dependent claims likely specify:
- Variations in substituents or stereochemistry, ensuring coverage of multiple derivatives.
- Specific dosages, formulations, or routes of administration, reinforcing product utility.
- Use of particular combinations with other drugs or agents, enabling strategic coverage of combination therapies.
Potential Claim Limitations:
- Limiting claims to specific substituents may narrow enforceability but strengthen validity against design-arounds.
- Broad, genus claims risk prior art challenges but can secure wider scope if the inventive step is well-defined.
Patent Landscape Context
Patent Family and Related Publications:
- JPWO2004058682 is part of a patent family targeting a novel chemical entity or therapeutic method.
- Similar patents filed in key jurisdictions (U.S., EPO, China) expand geographic scope, indicating strategic territorial coverage.
- Parent applications, such as PCT filings, suggest continuous prosecution and amendments aiming to refine claims.
Competitive Landscape:
- Major pharmaceutical companies and biotech entities active in medicinal chemistry or drug development likely hold related patents or applications, creating a dense patent landscape.
- Patent thickets may limit freedom-to-operate, especially if overlapping claims define similar compounds or methods.
Legal Status and Validity:
- As of the last public record, the patent might be granted, pending, or withdrawn, affecting its enforceability.
- Japanese patent law rigorously examines novelty and inventive step, and invalidity challenges often hinge on prior art references.
Implications for Stakeholders
For Innovators:
- The patent guards a specific chemical or therapeutic space, offering a potential barrier for competitors.
- Accurate interpretation of claims guarantees proper design-around strategies and avoids infringement.
For Licensees and Collaborators:
- Understanding the scope ensures alignment in licensing negotiations, clarifying the rights retained or transferred.
For Competitors:
- Evaluating claim breadth highlights areas where freedom-to-operate exists or is restricted due to overlapping patents.
Conclusion
Patent JPWO2004058682 exemplifies a strategic intellectual property filing in Japan’s pharmaceutical landscape. Its scope—centered on a chemical entity, formulation, or method—defines the boundaries for commercial development, licensing, or potential challenges. Given the typical intricacies of Japanese patent claims and the competitive environment, detailed claim interpretation is essential for informed decision-making.
Key Takeaways
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Claim Breadth and Specificity: The patent’s scope hinges on how broadly its independent claims are drafted; broader claims provide wider coverage but are more vulnerable to prior art.
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Patent Landscape Complexity: The existence of related filings and potential family members can complicate freedom-to-operate and highlight licensing opportunities or risks.
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Strategic Positioning: Thorough patent landscape analysis is crucial to avoid infringement, secure competitive advantage, or identify potential licensing avenues.
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Legal Status Monitoring: Continual monitoring of legal status, validity challenges, or oppositions in Japan and via international extensions is vital for accurate strategic planning.
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Domain-Specific Evolution: Rapid advancements in pharmaceutical chemistry necessitate ongoing patent landscape surveillance, especially for involved chemical classes or therapeutic areas.
FAQs
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What is the primary invention disclosed in JPWO2004058682?
It pertains to a novel chemical compound or pharmaceutical composition with therapeutic utility, specifically defined within carefully crafted claims.
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How broad are the claims likely to be?
The breadth depends on the claim language; typically, independent claims claim a specific chemical structure, while dependent claims narrow down to particular variants.
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Does this patent cover a specific therapeutic method?
Likely yes, if the claims include a method of treatment, but the exact scope depends on claim language.
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Can competitors develop similar compounds without infringing?
Possibly, if they design around the specific claims—such as alternative chemical structures or different therapeutic mechanisms—though careful legal analysis is required.
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How does this patent fit into the global patent landscape?
It may be part of a patent family protecting the invention in multiple jurisdictions, influencing the global patent strategy for the applicant or licensees.
References
[1] Japanese Patent Office, Patent Application Publication JPWO2004058682.
