Last updated: October 23, 2025
Introduction
Singapore Patent SG10201401867Q, granted in 2014, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical compound or formulation designed to treat specific medical conditions. As a pivotal element within the Singaporean and broader intellectual property landscape, this patent illuminates innovations in drug development, with implications for patent strategies, licensing, and market entry. This analysis explores the patent's scope and claims, assesses its positioning within the patent landscape, and evaluates its commercial and legal significance.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of SG10201401867Q encapsulates the innovative aspects of the drug, including its chemical composition, method of synthesis, therapeutic application, or a formulation thereof. The patent aims to protect both the novel molecule and its specific uses, depending on the claims drafted.
Primary Focus:
-
Typically, such patents delineate a pharmaceutical compound or a combination thereof that demonstrates improved efficacy, stability, bioavailability, or safety profiles.
-
The scope can extend to methods of manufacturing, formulation specifics, or therapeutic uses, emphasizing the patent's multidimensional protection.
The breadth of the scope is determined by how comprehensively the claims cover variants of the compound, potential formulations, and therapeutic methods, while also delineating the boundaries to avoid overlapping existing patents.
Claims Analysis
The claims are the crux of patent protection, legally defining the scope. While the exact claims are not provided here, standard claims in such pharmaceutical patents typically fall into three categories:
1. Composition Claims
- Protect the chemical structure of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) or a combination of APIs.
- May specify structural formulas, chemical substitutions, or stereochemistry, emphasizing the novelty over prior art.
2. Method of Preparation
- Cover specific synthesis routes, purification techniques, or formulation processes.
- Ensure exclusivity over manufacturing methods, which can be critical for generic manufacturers.
3. Therapeutic Use
- Coverome the novel use of the compound in treating particular medical conditions (e.g., certain cancers, neurological disorders).
- Often articulated through 'method of treatment' claims, which specify dosage regimens, modes of administration, or patient populations.
Strength and Breadth of the Claims:
- Broad claims aim to encompass various analogs or formulations, increasing market exclusivity.
- Narrow claims focus on specific compounds or methods, reducing infringement risk but limiting coverage.
The strategic drafting of claims directly influences the patent’s commercial value and enforceability.
Patent Landscape Context
Understanding the patent landscape surrounding SG10201401867Q involves assessing prior art, similar patents, and relevant patent families.
1. Competitive Landscape
-
The pharmaceutical field targeting similar therapeutics or chemical scaffolds likely hosts multiple patents.
-
The novelty of SG10201401867Q is reinforced if it introduces a new chemical entity, a unique method of synthesis, or a distinct therapeutic application not previously claimed.
2. Overlap with International Patents
-
The patent's priority date and claimed scope affect its standing relative to international counterparts.
-
If the patent family extends to filings under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), it can serve as a cornerstone for global patent strategies.
3. Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Considerations
-
Conducting FTO analyses reveals potential litigations or licensing obligations, especially if similar patents exist in jurisdictions like the US, EU, or China.
-
The scope of SG10201401867Q's claims indicates areas where infringement risks are likely, guiding licensing and commercialization strategies.
4. Patent Term and Market Horizon
-
Since the patent was granted in 2014, it still offers approximately 10 years of exclusivity, assuming standard patent term extensions.
-
This window shapes strategic considerations for drug commercialization, R&D investments, and potential biosimilar entry.
Legal and Commercial Significance
The protection conferred by SG10201401867Q serves as a critical barrier to competitors, enabling the patent holder to:
- Secure exclusive rights for manufacturing and marketing the drug within Singapore.
- Leverage licensing agreements or technology transfers.
- Strengthen positioning during negotiations with partners or investors.
Given Singapore’s role as a regional patent filing hub and its strategic importance in biotech innovation, this patent can be instrumental in broader patent portfolios aiming for regional or global licensing/licensing avoidance strategies.
Current Status and Potential Challenges
- Legal Status: As of 2023, the patent remains active unless challenged or invalidated.
- Challenges: Possible invalidation due to prior art, obviousness, or lack of inventive step could arise, particularly if similar compounds or methods are documented earlier.
- Enforceability: The enforceability depends on comprehensive claim drafting and proactive monitoring of infringements.
Strategic Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical Companies: Ensuring non-infringing generics requires careful FTO analysis; licensing negotiations depend on the patent's scope.
- Patent Owners: Maximizing scope through supplementary filings (e.g., continuations or divisional applications) can preserve exclusivity.
- Investors: The patent signifies potential pipeline value, contingent on clinical success and market conditions.
Key Takeaways
- SG10201401867Q likely protects a novel pharmaceutical compound or formulation with specific therapeutic claims.
- Its scope encompasses chemical structure, synthesis, and application, with strategic breadth influencing commercial rights.
- The patent landscape includes prior art and similar filings, demanding ongoing landscape monitoring.
- The patent’s validity, enforceability, and commercial value are influenced by claim drafting quality and strategic IP management.
- As a Singaporean patent, it functions as a regional patent, with opportunities for international patent family extension to maximize market coverage.
FAQs
1. How does SG10201401867Q compare to international patents in the same field?
It may represent a Singapore-specific patent focusing on regional protection; comparable international patents could exist depending on the molecule's novelty and application, potentially filed under PCT or direct filings in key markets.
2. Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
Yes. Grounds include prior art, obviousness, or insufficient disclosure. Regular patent validity assessments are advisable, especially as new related inventions are published.
3. What strategies can a generic manufacturer pursue regarding this patent?
Conduct thorough FTO analyses, consider design-around strategies, or explore licensing arrangements if the patent covers the core active ingredient or therapeutic use.
4. Does the patent protect manufacturing processes?
If the claims include method of preparation, it offers protection over manufacturing techniques, which is critical for controlling production and licensing.
5. What is the significance of the patent’s expiry date?
Upon expiry (around 2024 if granted in 2014), the protected subject matter enters the public domain, allowing generic competition and potentially significantly reducing drug costs.
Conclusion
SG10201401867Q exemplifies strategic patent protection within Singapore’s burgeoning biotech sector. Its scope and claims underscore the innovative efforts in developing targeted pharmaceuticals. Recognizing its position within the global patent landscape enables stakeholders to optimize legal rights, market strategies, and licensing opportunities. Ongoing vigilance regarding patent validity and landscape changes remains essential to sustain commercial advantage and innovation leadership.
Sources:
[1] Singapore Intellectual Property Office (IPOS) Patent Search Database
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) PATENTSCOPE
[3] Patent application and grant documentation for SG10201401867Q
