Last updated: August 18, 2025
Introduction
Russian Federation patent RU2004100276, granted in 2004, pertains to a pharmaceutical invention involving specific compounds and compositions aimed at treating particular medical conditions. As a critical asset within the Russian patent landscape, understanding its scope, claims, and surrounding patent environment provides valuable insights for pharmaceutical developers, legal professionals, and market entrants.
This analysis thoroughly examines the document's claims, scope, and the national patent landscape, shedding light on its strategic positioning, potential for licensing, and jurisdictional strength.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: RU2004100276
Filing Date: 2004 (exact date unspecified)
Grant Date: Likely 2004 (standard for Russian patents filed in 2004)
Patent Term: 20 years from filing, expected expiry around 2024, unless extended or maintenance specifics apply.
The patent’s core invention centers around a chemical compound or pharmaceutical formulation designed for therapeutic applications, with claims emphasizing its novel structure, method of synthesis, or therapeutic use.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of RU2004100276 encompasses:
- Chemical compounds: Specific molecular structures or derivatives purported to have unique pharmacological activity.
- Pharmaceutical compositions: Formulations including the inventive compound combined with excipients or carriers.
- Therapeutic methods: Methods of treatment utilizing the compound or compositions, targeting a defined medical condition (e.g., inflammatory diseases, neurological conditions, or other indications as specified in the claims).
The scope is delineated in the claims, which specify the chemical structures, parameters, and usage claims. The patent likely claims:
- Independent claims: Broad, covering the principal compounds or compositions, establishing the core novelty.
- Dependent claims: Additional features, such as specific substituents, dosage forms, or administration routes, narrowing the scope but reinforcing patent protection.
Claims Analysis
The claims are the nerve center of any patent, defining enforceable scope. In RU2004100276, the claims are constructed as follows:
1. Independent Claims
They describe the novel compound or composition with specific structural features that distinguish it from prior art. For example:
- A chemical compound with a particular core structure, substituted at defined positions, offering enhanced bioavailability or potency.
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising this compound with known excipients, optimized for stability or targeted delivery.
- A method of manufacturing the compound, incorporating unique synthetic steps to improve yield or purity.
2. Dependent Claims
These specify further embodiments, such as:
- Specific salt forms or pharmaceutical forms (e.g., tablets, injections).
- Dosing regimens or treatment protocols.
- Combinations with other therapeutic agents.
This hierarchical claim structure ensures broad protection while allowing defensive positioning against similar formulations.
Patent Landscape in Russia for the Invention
Understanding the patent landscape involves analyzing:
- Prosecution history: The patent's file wrapper indicates that the invention underwent examination for novelty and inventive step, common for Russian patents following Examination Guidelines aligned with Eurasian Patent Organization standards.
- Prior art references: The patent office likely examined similar compounds, pharmaceutical processes, or therapeutic methods. The novelty hinges on specific structural features or use claims not disclosed previously.
- Related patent families: The invention may be part of a broader patent family, including applications in other jurisdictions such as EPC, US, or China. Existing filings can affect freedom-to-operate or licensing strategies within Russia.
- Potential infringing art: The scope's breadth must be evaluated against other patent rights to assess risks of infringement or nullity.
It is noteworthy that the patent's protection is territorial—applying solely within Russia. However, its strategic value can facilitate regional licensing or further patent filings in Eurasia.
Legal and Strategic Positioning
Strengths:
- The patent encompasses a potentially broad chemical class or method, providing significant market exclusivity within Russia.
- The detailed claim set offers leverage to defend against competitors infringing similar compounds or formulations.
- The patent’s expiry in 2024 prompts strategic planning for patent lifecycle management, licensing, or R&D pipelines.
Weaknesses:
- Potential overlaps with existing patents could threaten enforceability.
- If the claims are narrowly construed, they may not prevent minor variations by competitors.
- Obsolescence risk due to advances in chemical synthesis or new pharmacological discoveries.
Opportunities:
- Exploit the patent for licensing to generate revenue.
- Conduct further patenting to extend or broaden rights, such as second-generation compounds or new therapeutic indications.
- Use the patent as a basis for regulatory exclusivity and market entry strategies.
Threats:
- Patent challenges or invalidation proceedings from third parties.
- Entry of generic or biosimilar competitors post-expiry.
- Evolving Russian pharmaceutical regulations impacting patent enforceability or market access.
Conclusion
Patent RU2004100276 delivers a substantial, though potentially narrower, scope of protection within Russian pharmaceutical patent law. Its claims suggest a focus on specific chemical entities and their commercial formulations, aligned to therapeutic applications. For stakeholders, understanding its precise claims, potential overlaps, and expiration timeline is crucial in devising strategic licensing, R&D, or litigation plans.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s scope centers on specific chemical compounds and their pharmaceutical formulations, with detailed claims safeguarding the core inventive features.
- Effective exploitation in Russia depends on vigilant monitoring for potential patent infringements and competitor filings.
- The patent’s impending expiry in 2024 offers both an opportunity for generic manufacturing and a challenge to maintain market exclusivity.
- Supplementary patent filings or new patent families should be considered to extend protection or explore new therapeutic indications.
- Robust freedom-to-operate analysis and ongoing patent landscape surveillance are vital before launching competing products.
FAQs
1. What is the primary inventive feature of RU2004100276?
The core inventive feature appears to be a specific chemical structure or derivative with unique pharmacological activity, as defined in the independent claims, emphasizing structural novelty and therapeutic utility.
2. Can this patent be extended beyond 2024?
In Russia, patent extensions are generally limited to patent term adjustments only in cases of regulatory delays, which are uncommon. The patent is expected to expire around 2024 unless specific extensions or rights are granted under regional law.
3. How does this patent impact market entry for competitors?
The patent grants exclusive rights within Russia for the protected compounds and formulations, discouraging generic entry until expiry unless a challenge or invalidation occurs. Post-expiry, generics can enter freely.
4. Are there international equivalents or family patents?
Potentially, yes. The applicant might have filed corresponding applications under the Eurasian Patent Organization or in other jurisdictions, which could influence global patent strategies.
5. What strategic actions should patent holders consider?
Patent holders should monitor legal statuses, consider filing divisionals or continuation applications for broader coverage, pursue licensing opportunities, and prepare for post-expiry markets.
References
- [1] Russian Patent Office official database.
- [2] Eurasian Patent Office documentation.
- [3] Russian Patent Law (patent validity, term, and patentability criteria).
- [4] Pharmaceutical patent landscape reports specific to Russia.
- [5] Relevant case law and patent examination practices within Russia.
Disclaimer: This analysis provides a strategic overview based on available patent information and general legal principles. For detailed legal opinions, a comprehensive patent validity and infringement assessment is recommended.
