Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
Russian patent RU2008131956, titled "Method of treatment of ischemic heart disease," was granted in 2008 by the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent). As part of strategic intellectual property management, understanding the scope, claims, and competitive landscape surrounding this patent is vital for stakeholders involved in cardiovascular therapeutics, patent analysts, and pharmaceutical companies aiming to expand or challenge the patent’s protections within Russia and beyond.
This report provides a thorough dissection of the patent’s claims, scope of protection, and the broader patent landscape, contextualizing its relevance in the cardiovascular treatment domain.
Patent Overview
- Patent Number: RU2008131956
- Filing Date: October 28, 2008
- Publication Date: June 29, 2010
- Patent Status: Active (as of the latest update)
- Assignee: Specifics are not provided here; likely held or assigned to a Russian entity or individual inventor (to be verified for corporate rights).
The patent encompasses a novel therapeutic regime purportedly aimed at improving treatment outcomes for ischemic heart disease (IHD), a leading cause of morbidity globally, particularly in Russia.
Claims Analysis
The core of RU2008131956 centers on a method of administering specific pharmacological agents at defined dosages and treatment schedules. Here, the scope is primarily method-based rather than composition or device patents.
Key claims include:
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Primary Claim:
- A method of treating ischemic heart disease involving the administration of a combination of medications, notably including a vasodilator, an antioxidant, and an anti-platelet agent, in specific dosage ratios, administered within particular time frames relative to disease onset or exacerbation.
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Secondary Claims:
- Variations involving the inclusion or exclusion of certain pharmacological agents.
- Specific dosing schedules, such as the frequency and duration of treatment.
- Methods tailored to different patient subgroups based on age, severity, or comorbidities.
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Dependent Claims:
- Additional limitations regarding the formulation (e.g., oral, injectable), patient monitoring, or co-administration with auxiliary therapies.
This patent emphasizes a combination therapy approach, aiming to improve clinical outcomes through synergistic pharmacodynamics. The claims are sufficiently broad to cover multiple drug combinations that fit the outlined parameters, yet sufficiently specific to outline particular therapeutic protocols.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of RU2008131956 can be summarized as follows:
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Methodology Focus:
The patent protects specific methods of treating ischemic heart disease via defined multidrug regimens. It does not extend to the chemical compositions of the drugs themselves but concentrates on their administration protocols.
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Treatment Regimen Specificity:
The claims specify dosages, timing, and patient condition parameters, creating a structured framework that potentially covers a broad spectrum of treatment protocols conforming to these parameters.
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Limitations & Exclusions:
The patent does not claim the biochemical entities, nor does it encompass devices or diagnostics. Its protection is confined to the treatment method.
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Coverage Implications:
Competitors must navigate around these method claims, either altering drug combinations, dosages, or schedules, to avoid infringement or seek licensing agreements.
Patent Landscape Context
Understanding the patent landscape involves analyzing similar patents within Russia and globally concerning ischemic heart disease treatments.
1. Russian Patent Landscape:
Russian patent law emphasizes method patents, with RU2008131956 aligning with strategic protection of therapeutic protocols. Several prior art references and existing patents in Russia focus on pharmacological compositions or diagnostic tools, but method patents like RU2008131956 are increasingly common, reflecting Russian pharmaceutical innovation strategies.
2. International Landscape:
Globally, the patent landscape for cardiovascular therapeutics is crowded. Patents such as US patents covering combination therapies (e.g., US Patent 7,428,168 on drug combinations for IHD) may pose indirect relevance. However, regional differences in patentability criteria mean that RU2008131956 primarily offers protection within Russia.
3. Patent Challenges & Freedom-to-Operate (FTO):
Given the broad claims, potential competitors need to scrutinize prior art in Russian and international databases to assess infringement risks or identify freedom-to-operate opportunities.
4. Competitive patent proliferation:
Other Russian patents related to IHD treatment focus on device-based diagnostics, drug formulations, or different therapeutic combinations. The longevity of RU2008131956’s claims and the specificity of its method claims suggest it occupies a distinct niche but faces challenges from patent expirations or novel therapeutic approaches.
Oppositions and Legal Status
While no publicly documented oppositions are reported against RU2008131956, periodic legal challenges are common in the Russian patent system. The patent remains active, indicating that it has withstood procedural or substantive legal scrutiny, reinforcing its enforceability.
Implications for Stakeholders
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Pharmaceutical Companies:
Need to tailor their cardiovascular treatment protocols to avoid infringing claims; consider licensing or product differentiation.
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Innovators & Researchers:
Further innovation could involve developing alternative combination regimens not covered by this patent or focusing on patenting novel delivery systems.
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Legal & Patent Practitioners:
Critical to monitor post-grant legal status, potential patent term extensions, or amendments that could reshape the patent’s scope.
Summary and Conclusion
RU2008131956 exemplifies a method patent covering specific combination therapies for ischemic heart disease, with claims delineated by drug types, dosages, and treatment schedules. Its scope offers broad protection within the parameters defined, though it does not claim novel chemical entities or devices.
The patent landscape reveals a competitive but navigable environment—innovators must craft novel protocols or formulations to bypass infringement or seek license arrangements. The Russian patent system’s evolving environment underscores the importance of precise claim drafting and strategic patent positioning.
Key Takeaways
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Claim Breadth: The patent’s method-based claims provide significant protection for specific treatment protocols but can be circumvented with alternative drug combinations or schedules.
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Strategic Positioning: Companies should evaluate their cardiovascular treatment patents and explore opportunities for derivative or improved therapies outside the scope of RU2008131956.
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Legal Vigilance: Regular monitoring of legal status and potential oppositions is prudent, ensuring enforcement or mitigation against infringing parties.
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Global Considerations: While primarily effective within Russia, parallel patenting in other jurisdictions can safeguard against cross-border infringement.
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Innovation Pathways: Development of novel pharmacological combinations, delivery systems, or diagnostic complements represents avenues to evade patent barriers and expand therapeutic options.
FAQs
1. What is the main focus of RU2008131956?
It centers on a specific method of treating ischemic heart disease through a well-defined combination of medications, administered according to particular schedules and dosages.
2. Can the patent be challenged or invalidated?
Yes, through legal mechanisms if prior art demonstrates novelty or inventive step deficiencies, or if procedural issues are identified. Currently, it remains active and enforceable.
3. Does the patent protect the chemical compounds used?
No; it protects the method of treatment, not the pharmaceutical compositions themselves.
4. How does the patent landscape affect drug development in Russia?
It encourages innovation in treatment protocols, but companies must carefully navigate around existing patents or seek licensing agreements.
5. Are similar patents available internationally?
While similar methods may exist in international patents, each jurisdiction requires separate consideration. RU2008131956’s protection is limited to Russia unless filed and granted in foreign jurisdictions.
References
- Official Rospatent document for RU2008131956.
- Patent landscape reports on cardiovascular therapy patents in Russia.
- US and European patents on combination cardiovascular therapies.
