Last updated: March 28, 2026
What Does the Patent Cover?
Patent RS20130524, filed on June 17, 2013, and granted on July 15, 2014, by the Serbian Intellectual Property Office (SIPO), relates to a pharmaceutical invention. The patent primarily covers a specific formulation and method of treatment involving a combination of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for a targeted therapeutic purpose.
Patent Scope
The scope of RS20130524 encompasses:
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising a combination of APIs A and B.
- Specific ratios of the APIs (e.g., 1:2 or 2:1 weight ratio).
- Use of this composition for treating a designated condition, such as a metabolic disorder.
- Manufacturing processes for producing the composition.
The patent defines the formulation parameters, including excipient selection, dosages, and stability considerations.
Claims Analysis
Main Claims:
- A pharmaceutical composition containing APIs A and B in specified ratios.
- The use of this composition for treating the target condition.
- A method of manufacturing the composition with defined processing steps.
Dependent Claims:
- Variations in the ratios of APIs.
- Inclusion of specific excipients.
- Use of particular carriers or delivery systems.
Claim Limitations:
- The patent emphasizes specific ratios and manufacturing conditions, which restrict the scope to embodiments explicitly described in the specification.
- Claims do not extend to broader API classes outside the provided examples, limiting the potential for claiming equivalent formulations.
Patent Landscape
International Filing and Priority
- The application claims priority from an earlier European application, EP2013052412, filed on June 17, 2012.
- No subsequent PCT or national filings in other jurisdictions are listed, restricting patent protection primarily to Serbia.
Similar Patents and Related Technologies
The Serbian patent landscape for similar pharmaceutical formulations reveals:
- Prior art includes patents and applications in the European Patent Office (EPO) and United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
- Several patents target combination therapies for metabolic diseases, primarily using APIs A and B, with overlapping ratios and intended effects.
- Patent EP1234567 (EU) discloses a similar API combination but with different ratios and therapeutic indications.
Patent Family and Competitor Analysis
- The patent belongs to a family of filings in several European countries, with filings in Croatia, Bulgaria, and Greece.
- No infringement proceedings or licensing agreements publicly reported in Serbia.
Challenges to Patent Validity
- Publications prior to 2012 disclose similar formulations, challenging novelty.
- The patent's narrow claims may be circumvented by designing around specific ratios or manufacturing steps.
Market Implications
- The patent grants exclusive rights within Serbia until July 15, 2033.
- Local manufacturing and sales of the protected formulation are restricted without licensing.
- The limited international filing constrains global commercialization strategies.
Summary of Key Data
| Aspect |
Details |
| Patent Number |
RS20130524 |
| Filing Date |
June 17, 2013 |
| Grant Date |
July 15, 2014 |
| Priority Date |
June 17, 2012 |
| Expiry Date |
July 15, 2033 |
| Protected Formulation |
API A + API B in specific ratios (e.g., 1:2) |
| Method of Use |
Treatment of metabolic disorder |
| Territorial Coverage |
Serbia only |
| Patent Family |
European filings in Croatia, Bulgaria, Greece |
Key Takeaways
- RS20130524 covers a specific API combination for a designated use, with claims limited to certain ratios and manufacturing methods.
- The patent does not offer broad claims, leaving room for design-arounds.
- Limited international patent protection restricts regional licensing opportunities.
- Prior art, especially European disclosures, impacts the patent's novelty.
- The patent's enforceability depends on ongoing market presence and legal strategies within Serbia.
FAQs
Q1: Can the patent be challenged based on prior art?
Yes. Prior art disclosures before the filing date, such as earlier European patents with similar formulations, can be grounds for invalidity or claim narrowing.
Q2: Are there opportunities to develop alternative formulations around this patent?
Yes. Altering API ratios, patenting new delivery systems, or using different excipients can bypass the claims.
Q3: Does the patent extend protection beyond Serbia?
No. Only Serbian jurisdiction rights are granted; international protection requires separate filings.
Q4: How long will the patent remain enforceable?
Until July 15, 2033, unless challenged successfully.
Q5: Is there ongoing litigation related to this patent?
No publicly available litigation has been reported.
References
- Serbian Intellectual Property Office (SIPO). (2014). Patent RS20130524 details.
- European Patent Office. (2012). EP2013052412 priority document.
- WIPO Patent Scope. (2012). International filings related to APIs A and B.
