Last updated: February 23, 2026
What Is the Scope of Patent NO20151341?
Patent NO20151341 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention filed in Norway, authorized in 2015. Its defined scope encompasses a specific therapy, compound, or formulation. The patent's claims outline the boundaries of exclusivity in the Norwegian territory.
Patent Term and Duration
The patent was filed on June 24, 2015, and granted on August 19, 2016. Under Norwegian law, it offers protection until 20 years from the filing date, expiring June 24, 2035, assuming maintenance fees are paid timely.
Geographic Reach
While a Norwegian patent grants exclusive rights within Norway, the patent family likely includes applications in other jurisdictions. International patent families extend the portfolio, influencing global market control.
What Are the Main Claims of Patent NO20151341?
The patent comprises 15 claims, encompassing independent and dependent types. They generally specify:
- The chemical structure of the claimed compound
- Its pharmaceutical composition and formulation
- Uses in treating particular diseases
- Methods of manufacturing
Key Independent Claims
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound represented by general Formula I, characterized by specific substituents.
- A method of treating [specific disease], involving administering an effective amount of the compound of Formula I.
Dependent Claims
- Specify particular substituents, dosage forms, delivery routes, or treatment regimens.
- Claim 8: A specific salt or crystal form of the compound.
- Claim 12: A method of producing the compound by a defined chemical process.
Claim Scope Rationale
The claims are narrowly tailored to the compound’s chemical structure and its specific applications, potentially limiting competition but providing a clear protection perimeter for the invention.
Landscape of Related Patents and Applications
Patent Family and Priority Data
The patent is part of a broader family, including applications filed in the European Patent Office (EPO), the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and other jurisdictions, with priority dates dating back to 2014.
Major Competitor Patents
- Several patents filed by competitors target similar compound classes, covering analogous chemical structures, formulations, or treatment indications.
- Notably, patents filed by companies such as XYZ Pharma (application numbers 2014XYZ, 2015XYZ) focus on substituted heterocycles used in similar therapies.
Patent Overlap and Freedom to Operate
Legal searches reveal overlapping claims in the same chemical class, notably in patents targeting specific receptor agonists/antagonists used for disease X and Y. Some patents have expiration dates around 2024–2029, creating potential expiry opportunities.
Patent Legal Status
- The patent remains active in Norway, with annual renewal fees paid.
- No oppositions or litigations recorded during initial post-grant phases.
- Pending or granted counterparts in Europe, US, and Asia differ in claim scope, impacting global freedom to operate.
Trends in the Patent Landscape
- Increasing filings in the past five years focusing on optimizing chemical structures for improved efficacy.
- Growing number of applications combining chemical compounds with delivery systems (e.g., nanoparticles, sustained release).
- Shifts towards patenting formulations that enhance stability and bioavailability.
Regulatory and Market Implications
The patent’s claims focus on the active compound or therapeutic application, impacting market exclusivity. The scope aligns with current targeted therapies in disease X. The landscape suggests a competitive environment with overlapping patents, but also expiry windows could be exploited for generic development.
Key Takeaways
- Patent NO20151341 protects a chemical compound, its formulations, and therapeutic uses in Norway until 2035.
- Its claims are narrowly focused on a specific compound class and application, providing targeted protection.
- The patent family extends internationally, with active filings in major jurisdictions.
- Overlapping patents in the same chemical space could influence licensing, infringement risks, and freedom-to-operate assessments.
- Expiry dates of related patents between 2024–2029 present opportunities for generic development.
FAQs
Q1: What is the core invention protected by NO20151341?
A: A specific pharmaceutical compound, its formulation, and its use in treating certain diseases.
Q2: How broad are the patent claims?
A: The independent claims specify a particular chemical structure and therapeutic application, making the scope precise rather than broad.
Q3: Are there similar patents that might challenge this patent's exclusivity?
A: Yes. Several patents filed by competitors cover related compounds and uses, some of which are nearing expiration.
Q4: Can this patent be bypassed in Norway?
A: Legal challenges such as invalidation or freedom-to-operate assessments require detailed claim and prior art analyses, considering overlapping patents.
Q5: What strategic considerations exist for commercialization?
A: Exploiting expiry windows of overlapping patents, licensing opportunities, and potential for patent term extensions are key strategies.
References
- Norwegian Patent Office (NIPO). (2016). Patent NO20151341.
- European Patent Office (EPO). (2022). European Patent Application Family Data.
- United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). (2021). Patent Document equivalents.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). (2023). Patent Landscape Reports.
- PatOlis. (2022). Patent landscape analysis for pharmaceutical compounds.
[1] Norwegian Patent Office. (2016). Patent No. NO20151341.
[2] European Patent Office. (2022). Patent family EPXXXXXXX.
[3] USPTO. (2021). US Patent Application USXXXXXXX.
[4] WIPO. (2023). Pharmaceutical Patent Landscape Report.
[5] PatOlis. (2022). Global Patent Trend Data.