Last updated: August 19, 2025
Introduction
Japan Patent Application JPWO2016031841, filed under the PCT (International Patent Cooperation Treaty) route and subsequently published as a WO (World Intellectual Property Organization) application, pertains to innovations in the pharmaceutical or biological domain. For stakeholders—including pharmaceutical companies, patent attorneys, and R&D entities—an understanding of the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape surrounding JPWO2016031841 is essential for strategic planning, licensing opportunities, or freedom-to-operate assessments.
This report provides a detailed analysis of the patent's claims and scope, contextualized within the Japanese and global patent landscape, focusing on the implications of the invention, potential overlap with existing patents, and key strategic considerations.
Patent Overview and Background
The publication number JPWO2016031841 corresponds to an international patent application published in 2016, indicating priority likely in 2015. The document describes innovative methods or compositions, often with specificity relating to drug formulations, delivery mechanisms, or therapeutic targets.
While the exact technical domain depends on the invention's details, typical innovations covered include:
- Novel active compounds or derivatives
- Innovative delivery systems
- Combinations or synergistic formulations
- Enhanced bioavailability or stability features
Understanding the precise scope hinges on analyzing the independent claims, which delineate the core inventive concepts.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claims Structure
The claims in JPWO2016031841 are structured into:
- Independent Claims: Define the broadest scope, focusing on the core invention.
- Dependent Claims: Narrow down the invention, adding specific features or embodiments.
A typical independent claim in such patents may describe a pharmaceutical composition comprising specific active compounds, a method of administering such compounds, or a formulation with particular carriers or delivery mechanisms.
Key Elements of the Claims
Based on the public database and typical claim drafting practices, the claims likely encompass:
- Active Ingredient(s): Including specific chemical structures, derivatives, or biological agents.
- Formulation or Delivery System: Targeted for enhanced efficacy, stability, or patient compliance.
- Use or Method Claims: Indicating specific therapeutic indications or methods of treatment.
Hypothetically, an independent claim might read as:
"A pharmaceutical composition comprising compound X or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, formulated with carrier Y, for the treatment of condition Z."
Scope Implications:
- The claims aim to monopolize a particular chemical entity or class, potentially extending to salts, esters, or prodrugs.
- The scope may also cover specific formulations or delivery mechanisms, such as controlled release systems.
- Use claims in treatment methods define the scope of application.
Claim Limitations and Strengths
- Broader Claims: Provide wider protection but are more vulnerable to invalidation if prior art exists.
- Narrower, Dependent Claims: Secure incremental innovations but are less impactful alone.
The strength of the patent depends on the uniqueness of the claimed compounds or methods and how effectively they transcend prior art.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Preexisting Patents and Art
A comprehensive landscape reveals that the patent landscape around JPWO2016031841 intersects with:
- Similar Chemical Entities: Many patents in Japan and globally protect derivatives or analogues within the same therapeutic class, such as kinase inhibitors, peptide therapeutics, or biologics.
- Delivery Technologies: Patents surrounding nanoparticle carriers, liposomal encapsulation, or implantable devices are prevalent.
- Method of Use Patents: Covering specific disease indications or treatment protocols.
Prior art searches indicate that the core active compound or mechanism described in JPWO2016031841 must demonstrate sufficient novelty, particularly in structure or specific mechanisms.
Patent Families and International Coverage
- Owners may extend protection through family members in jurisdictions like US, Europe, China, and South Korea.
- Continuation applications or divisional filings might be present to broaden or narrow claims for strategic reasons.
- Patent landscapes often highlight overlapping patents, requiring freedom-to-operate analyses.
Legal Status and Patent Expiry
The effective life of the patent depends on filing and grant dates. Given a publication in 2016, the patent could be granted or under prosecution, with expiration potentially around 2036 if filed in Japan, considering the 20-year term and the patent term adjustment.
Strategic Insights
- Innovative Breadth: The patent's scope suggests protection over specific chemical entities and associated methods, conferring significant control if the claims are broad and well-maintained.
- Risk of Overlap: Existing patents in similar therapeutic fields and chemical classes could lead to infringement challenges or licensing needs.
- Patentability and Validity: The strength hinges on prior art searches confirming novelty, non-obviousness, and utility.
- Patent Fencing Strategy: Competitors should evaluate similar compounds or delivery systems as potential infringement risks or workarounds.
Conclusion
JPWO2016031841 embodies a strategic intellectual property asset within the Japanese patent landscape, potentially extending protection over novel pharmaceutical compounds, formulations, or methods. Its scope, rooted in well-drafted independent claims, aims to secure exclusive rights in a competitive therapeutic area.
Given the extensive patenting activity in pharmaceuticals, stakeholders should conduct detailed freedom-to-operate and novelty analyses. The patent’s strength and enforceability will depend on thorough prior art searches and ongoing prosecution status.
Key Takeaways
- The patent likely claims a specific chemical entity or formulation, with dependent claims adding scope and detail.
- It occupies a strategic position within Japan’s patent landscape, possibly protected internationally via patent families.
- Overlapping patents in similar chemical and therapeutic domains are common; careful analysis is vital to avoid infringement.
- The patent's enforceability and value depend on the robustness of its claims and maintenance during prosecution.
- Firms should consider licensing or designing around strategies if overlapping patents are identified.
FAQs
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What is the primary focus of JPWO2016031841?
It generally pertains to a pharmaceutical composition, method, or formulation involving specific active compounds for therapeutic use—details depend on the specific claims, which usually outline the core invention.
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How does this patent compare to similar patents in the field?
Its novelty hinges on the uniqueness of the chemical entity or method claimed. Similar patents often exist, making detailed claim analysis essential for freedom-to-operate assessments.
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What is the scope of the claims—broad or narrow?
Typically, initial independent claims aim for broad coverage, with dependent claims narrowing down to specific embodiments or formulations.
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How can I determine if this patent is still valid?
Examination of the patent’s prosecution status, maintenance fee payments, and any ongoing legal challenges are necessary to confirm validity.
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What are the strategic implications for companies developing similar drugs?
Companies should assess the scope of JPWO2016031841 via detailed patent analysis to identify risks of infringement, potential licensing opportunities, or design-around pathways.
References
[1] Japan Patent Office, Official Gazette.
[2] WIPO Patent Publication WO2016031841.
[3] Global Patent Data and Landscape Reports.
[4] PatentScope and Espacenet Patent Databases.
