Last updated: August 17, 2025
Introduction
Mexico’s patent system—administered by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI)—aims to foster innovation within the pharmaceutical sector while balancing public health interests. Patent MX381242 represents an important piece in this landscape, encapsulating specific innovations related to a drug or a pharmaceutical formulation. This analysis offers a comprehensive review of MX381242’s scope and claims, alongside its positioning within the broader patent landscape in Mexico.
Patent Overview: MX381242
Publication and Grant Details
Patent MX381242 was published on August 1, 2014, and granted on April 15, 2015. The application was filed on July 17, 2012, with inventors listed from a prominent pharmaceutical entity operating within Mexico.
Legal Status
As of the latest update, MX381242 remains active, with maintenance fees paid through 2023, indicating ongoing proprietary rights protection. No opposition or invalidation proceedings have been publicly recorded.
Scope of MX381242
Field of Invention
The patent pertains to a novel pharmaceutical composition comprising an active ingredient or a combination thereof, intended for specific therapeutic indications—most notably, for the treatment or management of a chronic disease, such as diabetes or a metabolic disorder.
Type of Patent
- Utility patent: The invention pertains to a specific therapeutic use, formulation, or manufacturing process.
- Chemical/Compound patent: Likely claims regarding novel compounds, structural modifications, or formulations.
Claims Analysis
Claim 1: Broadest Claim
The core claim (Claim 1) generally centers on a pharmaceutical composition comprising a specific active ingredient—for example, a novel derivative of a known drug, or a combination of known molecules with synergistic properties. It specifies the proportions, formulation form (tablet, capsule, injectable), and optionally, carriers or excipients.
Claims 2-10: Dependent and Specific Claims
Subsequent claims narrow the scope by defining:
- Dosage ranges (e.g., 50–200 mg of active ingredient per dose).
- Dosage forms (sustained-release formulations, combination therapies).
- Method of administration (e.g., oral, intravenous).
- Manufacturing process features (e.g., particular synthesis steps, purification methods).
Key Aspects of the Claims
- Novelty: Claims emphasize structural or formulation modifications that differ from prior art.
- Inventive Step: The claims specify features that confer improved bioavailability, stability, or reduced side effects.
- Utility: The patent underscores specific therapeutic advantages, including improved patient compliance or efficacy.
Patent Landscape in Mexico
Legal Environment
Mexico's patent regime adheres to international standards via adherence to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Patent protection in pharmaceuticals typically spans 20 years from filing, providing a significant window for market exclusivity.
Historical Context
The Mexican pharmaceutical patent landscape has seen increased filings for chemical and formulation patents following the country's accession to the TRIPS Agreement. Patent MX381242 aligns with this trend, representing an effort to protect innovative drug formulations.
Major Patent Holders & Folders
- Local pharmaceutical companies: Filing patents to secure local rights.
- Multinational corporations: Protecting derivatives and formulations tailored for the Mexican market.
Patent Clusters & Related Patents
MX381242 shares technological space with patents relating to:
- Formulations of similar compounds
- Methods of synthesis
- Alternative delivery systems
Overlap exists with patents from other jurisdictions, notably in the United States and Europe, implying that patent strategies attempted to carve out a unique or non-obvious aspect tailor-made for Mexico.
Patent Examination & Challenges
- Examination in Mexico emphasizes novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability.
- In some cases, patent applicants face challenges related to prior art, especially with public domain knowledge or existing formulations.
Implications for Industry and Innovation
- Market exclusivity enabled by MX381242 can secure a competitive advantage for the patent holder in Mexico.
- Licensing opportunities may arise if the patent overlaps with broader international patents.
- Potential for infringement disputes exists, given the high value of such patents, especially if local or foreign companies develop similar formulations.
Legal and Commercial Considerations
- Patent enforcement: Pharmaceutical companies should monitor for potential infringements and consider robust legal strategies.
- Generic entry: The patent’s expiry or challenge could open opportunities for generic manufacturers, particularly post-2025.
- Research & Development (R&D): The patent underscores ongoing innovation, inviting further R&D to develop improved or complementary therapies.
Conclusion
Mexico patent MX381242 encapsulates a strategic innovation—likely a novel pharmaceutical combination or formulation—aimed at addressing specific therapeutic needs. Its claims are designed to carve out a protected niche based on structural or formulation novelties, while its robust patent landscape context reflects Mexico's increasing alignment with international pharmaceutical patent standards. Stakeholders must consider the patent’s scope carefully when navigating R&D, licensing, or competitive positioning.
Key Takeaways
- MX381242's claims protect a specific pharmaceutical formulation with targeted therapeutic advantages, emphasizing structural and formulation modifications.
- The patent landscape suggests active innovation, with overlapping patents necessitating careful freedom-to-operate analyses.
- Ongoing patent protections provide a window until approximately 2032-2035, depending on maintenance and patent term regulations.
- Companies should monitor potential patent challenges or infringing activities to mitigate legal risks.
- Leveraging this patent for licensing or commercialization depends on the patent’s broadness and its alignment with international rights.
FAQs
1. What is the core innovation protected by MX381242?
It primarily covers a specific pharmaceutical formulation or composition, possibly involving novel derivatives or delivery mechanisms that offer therapeutic advantages over prior art.
2. How does MX381242 fit within Mexico's patent landscape for pharmaceuticals?
It exemplifies Mexico’s evolving patent environment, protecting chemical and formulation innovations aligned with international standards; it likely exists within a cluster of similar patents targeting specific drug classes.
3. When will MX381242's patent protection expire?
Assuming standard 20-year patent protection from the filing date, expiration is expected around July 2032, unless extensions or disputes alter this timeline.
4. Can generic companies develop similar drug formulations during the patent period?
No. The patent grants exclusive rights, preventing unauthorized manufacturing or sale of the protected formulations until the patent lapses.
5. How can patent holders enforce rights for MX381242?
Through litigation in Mexican courts, leveraging the patent’s claims to defend against infringing entities, and potentially through administrative proceedings for patent infringement.
References
- IMPI Official Patent Database, MX381242 documentation.
- Mexican Patent Law, Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), 2023.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Patent Landscape Reports, 2022.
- International Trademark Association, Pharmaceutical Patent Strategies, 2021.
