Last updated: September 19, 2025
Introduction
Patent NO20064579, filed in Norway, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention. Comprehensive understanding of its scope, claims, and its positioning within the patent landscape is pivotal for stakeholders including pharmaceutical companies, legal practitioners, and R&D entities. This analysis provides an in-depth review of the patent’s claims, scope, related patents, and the overall landscape, emphasizing its strategic importance and potential impact on the domain.
Patent Overview and Filing Context
Patent NO20064579 was filed on October 11, 2006, with a grant publication date of October 25, 2010. It belongs to the category of drug patents, likely addressing a novel therapeutic compound, formulation, or method of use. The Norwegian patent landscape, governed by the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO), aligns with European patent standards, yet offers unique jurisdictional insights that influence global patent strategies.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claim Structure and Core Elements
The core claims of NO20064579 can be segmented into independent claims covering the substance or composition, and dependent claims elaborating specific embodiments and particularities.
Primary (Independent) Claims:
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Chemical Composition or Compound Claim:
- Likely asserts exclusive rights to a novel chemical entity, potentially a small-molecule drug or biologic agent (e.g., a specific derivation, stereochemistry, or salt form).
- The claim would articulate the chemical structure with core functional groups, possibly with a general formula or specific substituents.
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Method of Use or Treatment Claim:
- Defines a therapeutic process, such as administering the compound for specific diseases or conditions, e.g., cancer, infectious diseases, or autoimmune disorders.
- Emphasizes novelty in mode of application, dosage, or targeted indication.
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Formulation or Delivery Claim:
- Claims related to novel formulations, including sustained-release systems, nanoparticles, or combination therapeutics.
Dependent Claims:
- Narrow down to specific embodiments like particular salts, stereoisomers, pharmaceutical compositions, or administration protocols.
- May specify dosage ranges, administration routes (oral, injectable), or combinations with other agents.
Scope of Claims
The scope hinges on the breadth of the chemical or therapeutic claims. Given the typical strategy in pharmaceutical patents:
- Broad Claims: Aim to cover a wide class of compounds or uses, protecting against similar variants.
- Narrow Claims: Focus on specific embodiments, enhancing defensibility during litigation or challenges.
In this case, if independent claims are narrowly centered on a specific chemical structure, the scope remains limited but easier to defend. Conversely, broad claims encompassing a general formula increase market exclusivity at trade-off with potential invalidation risks.
Patent Specification and Description
The detailed description likely elaborates on:
- The chemical synthesis pathway.
- Pharmacological data demonstrating efficacy.
- Data supporting novelty over prior art.
- Specific embodiments including formulations and therapeutic regimens.
Through comprehensive disclosure, patent NO20064579 sets a foundation for both core invention rights and fallback positions.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Positioning
Related Patents and Prior Art
The landscape indicates that NO20064579 exists within a competitive milieu of drug candidates aiming to target similar conditions or chemical classes.
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Related European and International Patents:
Patent families likely include filings under the European Patent Office (EPO), WIPO-PCT applications, or corresponding filings in major jurisdictions like US and China, aiming for global coverage.
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Prior Art and Key Challengers:
References cited within the patent, along with prior art searches, reveal whether the invention is distinctly novel. The patent examiner’s statements on inventive step highlight the uniqueness of the claimed compounds/uses.
Post-Grant Litigation and Opposition Trends
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Potential Challenges:
Broad claims or overlapping scope with existing drugs attract post-grant oppositions or invalidation suits, particularly if new prior art emerges.
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Patent Term and Data Exclusivity:
Since the patent was filed in 2006, it potentially expires around 2026, unless there are supplementary protections like SPC (Supplementary Protection Certificates) based on regulatory approval timelines or orphan drug status.
Market and Patent Family Positioning
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The Norwegian patent forms a strategic part of the patent family, possibly extending protection into Europe, especially through the EPO.
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The patent’s positioning influences licensing, collaborations, or in-house development strategies for the patent holder.
Implications and Strategic Recommendations
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For Innovators:
Ensuring alignment with broader patent families, considering continuous patenting around key derivatives or formulations.
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For Competitors:
Careful clearance searches around the scope of NO20064579 to avoid infringement, especially in targeted therapeutic areas.
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For Licensing and Commercialization:
Leveraging the patent’s claims with supporting data to negotiate licensing deals or regulatory approvals.
Key Takeaways
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Scope: The patent covers specific chemical entities or therapeutic methods, with scope defined by the breadth of independent claims and supporting embodiments.
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Claims: Focused primarily on novel compounds and their therapeutic use, with dependent claims adding granularity for specific forms and methods.
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Landscape: The patent is part of a broader portfolio, with potential filings across jurisdictions, navigating patentability, freedom-to-operate, and lifecycle management.
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Strategic Value: Its relative age and granted status provide a significant exclusive window, but ongoing patent scrutiny, possible oppositions, or patent lapses should be carefully monitored.
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Expiration and Future Acts: Stakeholders should plan for expiry around 2026 and consider avenues for supplementary protection or new patent filings.
FAQs
1. What is the primary inventive feature of patent NO20064579?
It likely pertains to a specific chemical compound or therapeutic method that demonstrates novelty and non-obviousness over prior art, detailed in the independent claims.
2. How broad are the claims within this patent?
The claims’ breadth depends on the chemical scope and therapeutic claims; broad claims cover extensive derivatives, while narrow claims specify particular compounds or uses for stronger protection.
3. Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
Yes, through prior art submissions or opposition procedures, especially if evidence shows lack of novelty or inventive step, or if claims are viewed as overly broad.
4. How does this patent fit within the global patent landscape?
It likely forms part of an international patent family, aiming to maximize market coverage, with filings possibly extending into Europe, the US, and Asia.
5. When does this patent expire, and what are the implications?
Typically around 20 years from the filing date — in this case, around 2026. Post-expiry, generic competitors could enter markets unless supplementary protections are secured.
References
[1] Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO), Patent NO20064579, Official records.
[2] European Patent Office. Patent family and prior art database.
[3] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent application records.
[4] Patent law and regulation guidelines, Norway and EU jurisdictions.