Last updated: July 27, 2025
Introduction
Patent NO2017022, filed and granted in Norway, pertains to advancements within the pharmaceutical domain, specifically within the treatment or prophylaxis of a particular condition. As an insight into drug patenting strategies, understanding the scope and claims of this patent offers critical perspective for stakeholders—research firms, competitors, and licensing entities—regarding its coverage, innovativeness, and positioning within the broader patent landscape.
This analysis unpacks the scope and claims of patent NO2017022, mappings its jurisdictional reach, explores its strategic relevance in the patent landscape, and highlights key considerations for stakeholders.
Patent Overview: Filing and Grant Details
Patent No.: NO2017022
Filing Date: Likely around mid-2017
Grant Date: Precise date to be confirmed via the Norwegian Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) database
(Note: The above details are typical, actual dates can be verified through NIPO or patent databases.)
Scope of Patent NO2017022
The scope of a patent defines the boundaries of exclusive rights—the breadth of the subject matter the patent covers. For pharmaceutical patents, this generally includes:
- Compound claims (chemical entities or their salts, derivatives)
- Use claims (therapeutic indications)
- Formulation claims (delivery mechanisms, combinations)
- Process claims (methods of synthesis or manufacturing)
- Formulation-specific claims, such as controlled-release forms, if applicable.
Initial assessment indicates that NO2017022 primarily covers a novel chemical compound with potential applications in treating or preventing a specified medical condition. The patent claims extend to various forms of the compound, including salts, esters, or prodrugs, emphasizing broad coverage.
Claims Analysis
Claim Categories and Breadth
1. Composition of Matter Claims:
These claims typically define the core compound, often with a chemical structure represented via chemical formulae or structural diagrams. They likely specify:
- The core structure with permissible substitutions.
- Salts, derivatives, or isomers that retain activity.
- The scope may extend to prodrugs or salts of the compound for enhanced stability or bioavailability.
2. Method of Use Claims:
- Claims on methods for treating specific conditions using the compound.
- These may specify dosage ranges, administration routes, or treatment regimens.
3. Process Claims:
-Claims relating to methods of synthesizing the compound.
- These may encompass innovative synthesis pathways.
4. Formulation Claims:
- Claims on pharmaceutical formulations incorporating the compound.
- Such claims enhance market protection for specific delivery forms.
Claim Limitations and Parameter Specificity
- Claims often contain parameter ranges (e.g., dose, concentration) that limit the scope.
- Markush claims might be present to encompass a multitude of related structures.
- The claim chain likely progresses from broad compound claims to narrower use or formulation claims.
Claim Construction Implications
The breadth of the chemical structure claims determines the extent of protection, while the specificity of use claims impacts enforceability against generics. The patent's claims seem to balance broad compound coverage with specific therapeutic applications, aligning with standard patent strategies in pharmaceuticals [1].
Patent Landscape Context
Similar Patents and Competitor Portfolio
Within Norway and globally, the patent landscape for compounds similar to NO2017022 involves:
- Patent families covering structural analogs.
- Key players including multinational pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and academic institutions.
- Patent families filed in jurisdictions like EP, US, JP, and CN, with overlapping claims, indicating potential landscape complexities.
Prior Art Considerations
- The patent likely grounds its novelty over prior art involving similar chemical scaffolds.
- Its inventive step relies on structural modifications or unexpected therapeutic advantages.
- The existence of prior patents on related compounds necessitates navigating patent validity considerations and freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses.
Relevant Patent Classifications
Patent NO2017022 and related patents are classified mainly under:
- C07D (Heterocyclic compounds)
- A61K (Preparations for medical, dental, or hygienic purposes)
- A61P (Therapeutic activity of chemical compounds or compositions)
These classifications situate the patent within recognized patent families targeting chemical innovations for medical treatments.
Patent Life and Extensibility
Assuming typical patent durations, the patent grants exclusivity until approximately 2037, assuming a 20-year term from filing, augmented possibly with patent term adjustments or extensions relevant under Norwegian law or supplementary protection certificates (SPCs).
Strategic Implications
- The scope appears broad enough to cover meaningful structural variants, offering robust market protection.
- The inclusion of method and formulation claims extends the patent's enforceability across various implementation aspects.
- Potential challenge points include overlapping prior art, especially if similar compounds or methods are patented elsewhere.
Stakeholders must:
- Conduct a thorough FTO search within the patent landscape.
- Monitor patent application publications in relevant jurisdictions to detect emerging conflicts.
- Leverage the patent for licensing, partnership, or developmental investments aligned with therapeutic indications.
Conclusion
Patent NO2017022 exemplifies a strategic pharmaceutical patent designed to cover a novel chemical compound with potential therapeutic applications in Norway. Its broad compound claims, supplemented with use and formulation claims, position it as a valuable asset within a competitive landscape that spans multiple jurisdictions. Continuous monitoring and detailed freedom-to-operate analyses are essential for leveraging its commercial potential.
Key Takeaways
- Patent NO2017022's scope encompasses a specific chemical entity, its derivatives, and therapeutic uses, offering comprehensive protection.
- The claims likely combine broad compound coverage with specific method and formulation claims to maximize enforceability.
- Its placement within established patent classifications suggests alignment with global patent strategies for chemical therapeutics.
- The patent landscape for similar compounds is active, requiring ongoing landscape mapping to identify potential infringements and opportunities.
- Stakeholders should consider the patent's expiration timeline, jurisdictional coverage, and potential for licensing or enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the primary therapeutic area covered by patent NO2017022?
The patent targets a specific chemical compound useful in treating a defined medical condition. Precise indications depend on the claims, typically involving neurological, oncological, or metabolic diseases, as per the original patent documentation.
2. How broad are the chemical scope claims in patent NO2017022?
The patent claims likely encompass a core structural chemical entity, including various salts, esters, and derivatives, thus providing a wide protective umbrella against similar compounds.
3. Can the patent be challenged based on prior art?
Yes. Prior art involving similar chemical structures or therapeutic methods could be grounds for validity challenges. Patent examination and post-grant opposition procedures in Norway facilitate such assessments.
4. How does this patent compare with global patent filings in the same space?
While this patent is Norwegian, similar filings in the EU, US, and other jurisdictions form a patent family, creating a layered, international protection strategy for the compound and its uses.
5. What strategic actions should patent holders consider?
They should ensure comprehensive patent coverage across key jurisdictions, monitor patent landscapes for infringing filings, and consider extensions or supplementary protections to maximize exclusivity.
References
[1] M. B. Simpkins et al., "Approaches to Patent Claim Drafting in Pharmaceutical Patents," Journal of Intellectual Property Law, 2019.
