Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
Russian patent RU2019142696 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention with a specific scope within the domain of drug formulations. This patent's strategic importance lies in its potential influence on the competitive landscape of the patented therapeutic and adjacent markets. This analysis explores the scope of the claims, their technical coverage, and the broader patent landscape within Russia and internationally.
Patent Overview and Context
Patent Number: RU2019142696
Filing Date: December 3, 2019
Publication Date: December 15, 2020
Grant Date: Not specified in the provided data
Applicant: Not specified (assumed to be a corporate or research institution specializing in pharmaceuticals)
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition or method—likely an active ingredient delivery system, formulation, or manufacturing process—aimed at improving efficacy, stability, or bioavailability.
Scope of the Patent Claims
Claim types and their strategic significance:
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Independent claims:
Typically define the core invention—possibly a specific chemical composition, physical formulation, or method of preparation. The scope is broad enough to encompass various embodiments but sufficiently precise to delineate inventive boundaries from prior art.
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Dependent claims:
Narrower, specifying particular embodiments, such as concentrations, specific excipients, manufacturing conditions, or application contexts. These provide fallback positions and extend protection to specific variants.
Key aspects likely covered by the claims:
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Active Ingredient(s): Claims probably specify certain chemical entities or combinations that are central to the invention. The scope may include derivatives, salts, or polymorphs.
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Formulation Details: Lipid-based carriers, nanoparticles, or specific excipient matrices may be claimed to enhance drug stability or bioavailability.
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Method of Manufacturing: Claims might describe particular steps for preparing the drug, emphasizing steps that confer novelty or improved properties.
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Therapeutic Use: Claims may extend to methods for treatment—such as targeted delivery or prolonged release.
Potential breadth of claims:
- If the independent claims are broad, they might cover any composition containing a specific active component with certain physical properties or application methods.
- Narrow claims might focus on specific embodiments, which could limit infringement but also focus the patent’s defensive strength.
Legal and strategic implications:
- The scope directly impacts patent enforceability and KOL (Keep-Out Limitations). Broader claims bolster market exclusivity but face higher scrutiny over inventive step.
- Narrow claims may be easier to defend and license but reduce market reach.
Patent Landscape in Russia and International Context
1. Russian Patent Terrain:
The Russian pharma patent landscape is characterized by a high progression of pharmaceutical patent applications driven by local and foreign innovators. Key factors include:
- Patentability criteria: Similar to European standards, requiring novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability.
- Search for prior art: Includes Russian and international patents, scientific publications, and registered pharmaceuticals.
- Legal environment: Historically, the Russian patent office applies a strict examination process, especially for chemical and pharmaceutical inventions, focusing on inventive step and clarity.
2. Overlap with International Patents:
Considering RU2019142696’s filing date in late 2019, the patent landscape from prior filings in Europe (EPO), the US (USPTO), and other jurisdictions should be examined to assess potential overlaps or freedom-to-operate concerns.
- Patent families: The applicant may have filed similar applications internationally, indicating a strategic positioning.
- Prior art searches: Prior art documents published before December 2019 would be critical in assessing patentability and scope limitations.
3. Patentability and Strategic Positioning:
If similar patents exist, the applicant likely designed RU2019142696 to carve out a unique niche by focusing on a novel combination, manufacturing process, or specific therapeutic application.
4. Competitor Analysis and Litigation Risks:
In Russia, pharmaceutical patent disputes often involve challenges on inventive step. Potential infringing activities include:
- Manufacturing or marketing compositions that fall within the claims' scope.
- Using methods or compositions akin to those protected by RU2019142696.
5. Post-Grant Opportunities:
The patent’s enforceability can be strengthened through opposition procedures, if any, within the Russian validity period, and strategic patent portfolio management should focus on expanding claims, especially in key areas.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
Pharmaceutical Companies:
- Must conduct detailed freedom-to-operate analyses to avoid infringement.
- Consider licensing or partnership opportunities if the patent confers strong competitive advantage.
Research Institutions:
- The scope may influence research direction, emphasizing inventive step to navigate around the patent.
Legal and Patenting Strategies:
- Broader claims necessitate rigorous prior art searches.
- Narrower claims could limit infringement risks but also reduce exclusivity.
Summary of Key Points
- Scope: The patent likely claims a specific pharmaceutical composition, method, or formulation with a focus on improved therapeutic attributes.
- Claims: Variably broad, with potential independent claims covering core inventions and dependent claims refining embodiments.
- Landscape: Russia’s patent environment is dynamic, with increasingly stringent examination standards, and RU2019142696 potentially aligned with international patent protections or strategic filings.
- Strategic Importance: The patent could provide significant market exclusivity in Russia, especially if claims are broad and enforceable, impacting local competitors and global operators with Russian interests.
Key Takeaways
- Conduct comprehensive prior art searches to evaluate patent strength and freedom-to-operate.
- Monitor potential challenges or oppositions to broaden or narrow claim scope as needed.
- Leverage the patent in licensing negotiations and market exclusivity strategies within Russia.
- Stay aligned with international patent filings to maintain a robust global patent portfolio.
- Evaluate ongoing patent landscape changes, including emerging patent applications and legal precedents.
FAQs
1. How broad are the claims typically found in Russian pharmaceutical patents like RU2019142696?
Claims vary; they can be broad, covering general compositions or methods, or narrow, focusing on specific embodiments. Their breadth influences enforceability and infringement scope.
2. What is the process for challenging the validity of RU2019142696 in Russia?
Opposition procedures are not common post-grant but can be initiated within certain timeframes, or validity can be challenged through court litigation if infringement occurs.
3. How does RU2019142696 compare to international patents in the same field?
Without specific claims data, comparison hinges on published prior art; generally, Russian patents may align with or be narrower than equivalents in Europe or the US due to different examination standards.
4. What strategies can competitors use to avoid infringing on RU2019142696?
Focus on alternative compositions, different manufacturing methods, or formulations outside the scope of the patent claims.
5. How can patent holders maximize the value of RU2019142696?
By broadening claims via subsequent filings, enforcing patent rights aggressively, and integrating the patent into licensing and commercialization strategies.
References
- Russian Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent). Patent document RU2019142696.
- European Patent Office (EPO) patent database.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database.
- Russian patent law and examination guidelines.
[Note: Due to limited available specifics on the patent's claim language and legal status, this analysis reflects typical industry practices and logical inference based on the patent’s publication data.]
