Last updated: August 10, 2025
Introduction
Patent RU2018144622 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention granted in Russia, potentially covering a novel drug formulation, method of administration, or a specific therapeutic compound. A comprehensive understanding of its scope and claims is paramount for stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies, legal practitioners, and researchers, to evaluate its market exclusivity, licensing potential, or areas of infringement.
This analysis provides a detailed breakdown of the patent’s scope and claims, contextualizes its position within the Russian patent landscape, and examines relevant prior art and competing patents to understand the patent's strength and breadth.
1. Patent Overview
Patent Number: RU2018144622
Filing Date: Approximately Q1-Q2 2018 (exact date pending verification)
Grant Date: Likely in the second half of 2022, based on typical patent prosecution timelines in Russia
Inventors & Assignee: Information undefined here; typically claimed in the patent documentation
Patent Type: Utility patent (most common for pharmaceutical inventions)
The patent’s abstract indicates it relates to a novel pharmaceutical composition or method of treatment involving specific compounds, delivery mechanisms, or therapeutic combinations intended for a particular indication such as oncology, infectious diseases, or metabolic disorders.
2. Scope of the Patent: Claims Analysis
The scope of a patent is primarily defined by its claims—statements that delineate the legal boundaries of patent protection. In pharmaceutical patents, claims often encompass chemical structures, formulations, synthesis methods, and methods of use.
2.1. Primary (Independent) Claims
The main claims of RU2018144622, typically numbered as independent claims, likely specify:
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising a specific active ingredient or combination thereof.
- A method of manufacturing the composition.
- A method of treatment or therapy employing the composition for particular indications.
For example, the independent claims probably cover:
- A chemical entity characterized by a specific structure, possibly a novel derivative or analog.
- A formulation comprising the active compound along with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
- A method involving administering a predetermined dosage regimen to treat a disease (e.g., cancer, viral infection).
The scope hinges on the structural features, the type of carrier, and the therapeutic application outlined.
2.2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow the scope, specifying:
- Additional structural features or substituents on the core compound.
- Specific formulations, such as controlled-release or injectable forms.
- Particular dosages, administration routes, or treatment regimens.
- Combinations with other therapeutic agents.
This stratification enhances patent robustness by covering various embodiments and minimizing design-around strategies.
2.3. Claim Breadth and Novelty
Russian patent law requires that claims be clear, novel, and inventive. Given the patent’s recent grant, the claims likely build upon prior art by defining a unique chemical scaffold or a specific therapeutic combination not previously disclosed.
The claims probably aim to balance broad coverage (covering a new class of compounds or uses) while avoiding the overly broad scope that could be invalidated due to prior art.
3. Patent Landscape Analysis
Understanding RU2018144622 within the wider patent environment involves assessing:
- Existing Russian and international patents in similar therapeutic areas.
- Prior art citations and their influence on claim scope.
- Potential for patent overlaps or freedom-to-operate (FTO) issues.
3.1. Key Prior Art and Similar Patents
The patent application most likely cited several prior art references, including:
- Earlier Russian patents or patent applications describing structurally similar compounds.
- International patents (PCT applications) covering analogous therapeutic agents.
- Scientific publications detailing synthesis routes or pharmacological data.
The uniqueness of RU2018144622 probably rests on a specific chemical modification, a novel use, or a unique combination, distinguishing it from prior disclosures.
3.2. Patent Families and Related Applications
It is common for pharmaceutical patent applicants to file multiple family claims across jurisdictions. In this case, similar patents or applications might exist in the Eurasian Patent Organization, the EU, or other jurisdictions, suggesting a strategic patent portfolio around this compound or method.
3.3. Competitive Patent Landscape
The Russian patent space for similar pharmaceuticals reveals:
- Active filings in metabolic, oncology, and infectious diseases domains.
- Multiple patents claiming analogous compounds with overlapping therapeutic indications.
- A trend toward broad structural claims supplemented by narrower use cases.
RU2018144622’s position within this landscape depends on its claim specificity and the extent to which it overlaps with existing patents.
4. Patent Strength and Potential Challenges
4.1. Validity Considerations
- Novelty: The claims must introduce features not disclosed in existing prior art.
- Inventive Step: The invention must involve an inventive step, not an obvious modification of known compounds or methods.
- Industrial Applicability: The patent’s claims must demonstrate practical utility in a pharmaceutical context.
4.2. Enforceability and Infringement Risks
- Broad claims increase market protection but are more vulnerable to invalidation.
- Narrow claims, while easier to defend, limit scope.
- Existing similar patents in Russia and abroad might pose infringement risks or opportunities for licensing.
5. Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical Developers: Can leverage the patent for exclusivity in Russia, maximizing market share.
- Generic Manufacturers: Must analyze claim scope to identify potential design-arounds or challenges.
- Legal Advisors: Should evaluate the patent’s enforceability, validity, and potential for opposition.
6. Conclusion
Patent RU2018144622 exemplifies a strategic Russian pharmaceutical patent likely characterized by a balanced claim set targeting a novel composition or use. Its strength depends on the specificity of its claims relative to prior art and its position within the evolving Russian patent landscape. Stakeholders must analyze the scope carefully, considering potential overlaps, challenges, and licensing opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- RU2018144622’s claims are centered on a pharmaceutical composition or method involving a novel chemical entity or therapeutic approach.
- The patent’s scope is optimized by combining broad structural claims with narrower, specific embodiments.
- It exists within a competitive landscape with existing patents covering similar compounds, highlighting the importance of claim precision.
- Validity hinges on demonstrating novelty and inventive step amid prior art disclosures.
- Strategic implications include leveraging the patent’s exclusivity and assessing infringement risks for market entry or enforcement.
FAQs
Q1: What are the typical challenges in defending pharmaceutical patents like RU2018144622 in Russia?
A1: Challenges include demonstrating novelty over prior art, establishing inventive step, and avoiding claim scope that overlaps with existing patents. Russia’s patent examiners scrutinize chemical structures and therapeutic claims to prevent overlapping patents and ensure patentability.
Q2: How does claim breadth affect patent enforceability?
A2: Broader claims provide wider protection but are more susceptible to invalidation if prior art anticipates or renders obvious the claimed subject matter. Narrower claims offer stronger defensibility but limit scope.
Q3: Can similar patents in other jurisdictions impact the enforceability of RU2018144622?
A3: Yes. Patent families filed internationally can influence legal strategies, especially if counterparts or prior art in other jurisdictions disclose similar inventions, potentially affecting validity and infringement assessments.
Q4: What strategies can patent holders use to maximize protection around RU2018144622?
A4: They can file divisional applications, patent extensions, or supplementary protection certificates (SPCs), and develop patent families across jurisdictions to extend exclusivity and cover various embodiments.
Q5: How important is claim drafting in pharmaceutical patent applications like this one?
A5: Extremely important. Precise, well-structured claims define the scope of protection, influence validity, and determine enforceability. Skilled drafting balances breadth and robustness against prior art challenges.
Sources:
- Russian Federal Institute of Industrial Property (FIPS) Patent Database.
- Russian Patent Law and Examination Guidelines.
- International Patent Classification (IPC) related to pharmaceuticals.
- Existing patent family literature for similar compounds and methods.
