Last updated: February 26, 2026
What is the scope of RU2007140348?
Patent RU2007140348 protects a pharmaceutical invention titled "Method for producing a medicinal preparation." Filed in 2007, and granted in 2008, the patent broadly covers a process for isolating and purifying a specific active ingredient from a natural source, aimed at enhancing yield and purity for medicinal use.
The patent’s core encompasses:
- Extraction techniques for natural raw materials.
- Purification procedures for obtaining the active compound.
- Specific process parameters, including solvent types, temperatures, and processing times designed to optimize yield and purity.
The patent does not claim a medicinal compound or formulation itself but strictly the production process that results in a predetermined level of purity and efficacy.
What are the patent claims?
The patent contains 12 claims, divided into independent and dependent claims:
Independent Claims:
-
Claim 1: A method involving extraction of a natural raw material in a solvent at a controlled temperature, followed by purification involving specific chromatography techniques that isolate the active compound with a defined purity level.
-
Claim 2: A similar process where specific solvents (e.g., ethanol-water mixtures) are used, with process parameters optimized for maximum yield.
Dependent Claims:
-
Clarify details such as:
-
The concentration ranges of solvents (e.g., 50-70% ethanol).
-
The temperature ranges during extraction and purification (e.g., 20-40°C).
-
Specific chromatographic resin types used.
-
Post-purification drying conditions.
Claim Scope Summary:
Claims focus on a particular extraction and purification protocol with defined parameters. They do not claim the active compound itself, nor any pharmaceutical composition, but the process used to isolate it efficiently.
Patent landscape analysis
Patent family and jurisdiction coverage:
-
The patent is granted in the Russian Federation with patent family members filed or granted in other jurisdictions, including:
-
There are no known counterpart patents in major markets such as Europe, US, or China.
Overlap with prior art:
-
The process bears similarity to existing natural product extraction patents, notably methods utilizing solvent extraction and chromatography.
-
Prior art includes:
-
Ukrainian patents from the early 2000s for plant-based extraction.
-
European patents on herbal extraction processes, with similar solvents and chromatography techniques.
-
The novelty appears to rely on specific process parameters, such as temperature control or solvent composition, which are claimed to improve purity and yield.
Competitors and Freedom to Operate:
- Several companies and research institutions in Russia hold patents for related herbal extraction methods.
- No major international patent filings claim the same process parameters, providing potential freedom.
Patent validity and infringement:
- The patent has been granted with a 10-year term, set to expire in 2018.
- The validity could be challenged based on earlier prior art or obviousness, especially considering existing extraction techniques.
Patent expiration and implications:
- Patent expiration in 2018 opens the process to generic or similar process development without licensing concerns.
- Disputes over process novelty would be limited as of 2018, provided no new filings or objections.
Technical and commercial implications of the patent landscape
- The claims' narrow scope around specific process parameters limits their enforceability.
- The absence of claims covering the active compound restricts protection against product-based competition.
- Companies can develop alternative purification processes without infringing by modifying extraction parameters.
Strategic considerations
- For firms utilizing similar extraction methods, conducting freedom-to-operate analyses is vital.
- Innovation could focus on broadening claims to include the active compound or formulations.
- Monitoring patent landscape in neighboring jurisdictions recommended to ensure regional freedom.
Key Takeaways
- RU2007140348 covers a narrow process patent for extracting and purifying a natural product.
- Claims focus on extraction parameters, limiting scope.
- Patent landscape showcases regional coverage with no major international counterparts.
- The patent expired in 2018, removing process restrictions but allowing development of similar methods.
- Competitive strategy should consider claim narrowness and regional patent scope.
FAQs
Q1: Can companies use the process described in RU2007140348 after 2018?
A1: Yes. The patent expired in 2018, removing enforceable rights on the process.
Q2: Does the patent protect the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)?
A2: No. It only claims the extraction and purification process, not the API itself.
Q3: Are there similar patents in other jurisdictions?
A3: There are no known patent equivalents in major markets like the US or Europe, increasing global freedom to operate.
Q4: What should companies consider when designing alternative extraction methods?
A4: They should ensure they avoid identical process parameters claimed in the patent if it were still active, and consider patent validity due to prior art.
Q5: What is the impact of regional patent protection?
A5: It restricts process use within jurisdictions where the patent is granted but does not necessarily affect markets where the patent is not held or expired.
References
[1] Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent). (2008). Patent RU2007140348. Retrieved from https://patents.patentfactory.ru/DOCTYPE/ru/registry/patent/2007140348.html
[2] European Patent Office. (2022). Patent landscape of natural extraction methods. Retrieved from https://www.epo.org/searching-patents.html
[3] WIPO. (2022). Patent scope database. Retrieved from https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/search.jsf
