Last updated: September 23, 2025
Introduction
Singapore Patent SG10201607813S pertains to a pharmaceutical invention, with the patent granted in the context of ongoing innovation within the region's dynamic pharmaceutical sector. This patent encapsulates specific claims related to a drug formulation, composition, or method, with implications for competitive positioning and licensing. This report provides a detailed analysis of the patent's scope, core claims, and its placement within the broader patent ecosystem.
Patent Overview
- Patent Number: SG10201607813S
- Grant Date: 2017 (exact date as per official records)
- Assignee: Typically, such patents are assigned either to local pharmaceutical firms or international patent holders; specific assignee details need confirmation via the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS).
- Publication Type: Standard Patent, granted based on novel and inventive aspects of the claimed subject matter.
Scope and Focus of the Patent
The scope of SG10201607813S predominantly covers a pharmaceutical composition, formulation, or a manufacturing process. Based on available data, the patent likely emphasizes:
- Chemical Entities or Polymorphs: Claiming specific molecules or their crystalline forms with enhanced stability, bioavailability, or manufacturability.
- Delivery Systems or Dosages: Methods for administering a drug, sustained-release formulations, or novel delivery vehicles (e.g., nanoparticles, liposomes).
- Combination Therapies: Innovations involving synergistic drug combinations or improved therapeutic profiles.
The scope is characterized by specificity in the chemical structures, manufacturing processes, or formulation techniques, with claims potentially spanning from broad composition claims to narrow process or use claims.
Analysis of Claims
1. Independent Claims
The core of the patent lies in its independent claims, which define the legal scope. These claims likely articulate:
- Chemical Structure or Composition: Covering a novel molecule or a specific class of compounds, possibly with pharmacological activity.
- Method of Preparation: Detailing synthesis routes that improve efficiency or purity.
- Therapeutic Application: Method claims involving the use of the compound in specific conditions or disease states.
Example Summary (Hypothetical):
An independent claim may describe a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a specific compound with a defined crystalline form, together with excipients, designed to improve bioavailability.
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims expand upon the independent claims, detailing:
- Specific variants of the compound (e.g., salts, hydrates, polymorphs).
- Particular dosage forms (tablets, capsules, injectables) and dosing regimens.
- Methodological steps that enhance stability, absorption, or targeted delivery.
These claims tailor the patent's scope and can influence licensing, infringement analysis, and validity considerations.
3. Claim Language and Breadth
- Claim breadth: Likely to be moderate, balancing between broad coverage of chemical classes and specific embodiments.
- Limiting features: Narrower claims concentrate on particular polymorphs or formulations, potentially reducing validity challenges but limiting enforceability.
- Potential for Patent Thickets: Multiple claims over variations (e.g., different polymorphs, excipients) create a dense patent landscape beneficial for blocking competitors.
Patent Landscape in Singapore and Global Context
1. Regional Patent Environment
Singapore's patent system is harmonized under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and adheres to standards that favor robust patent rights, especially for pharmaceuticals. The country is a strategic jurisdiction for drug patent protections due to:
- Proximity to key Asian markets
- Sophisticated IP infrastructure
- Active pharmaceutical research community
2. Singapore vs. International Patent Landscape
The patent in question is likely part of a broader patent family filed in multiple jurisdictions, including:
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China, Japan, Europe, and the United States:
To obtain global exclusivity, similar patents are usually filed in these jurisdictions, creating a mesh of rights protecting the core invention while covering regional variations.
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Patent Family Strategy:
Innovators typically file initial patents in Singapore for regional rights, then extend to international claims to secure global market position.
3. Competitive Patent Filings
Emerging markets and major pharmaceutical companies often seek similar protection in Asia-Pacific, leading to a crowded landscape around certain drug classes or treatment methods. Key competitors may include:
- Domestic Singaporean biotech firms
- Multinational pharma corporations with regional R&D hubs
- Patent aggregators or non-practicing entities (NPEs)
4. Patent Challenges and Legal Stability
The strength of SG10201607813S depends on:
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Novelty and Inventive Step:
The claims must demonstrate novelty over prior art, including existing patents, publications, and known formulations.
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Prior Art References:
Patent search tools indicate prior art in the domain of the claimed chemical structures or formulations, which could be used to challenge the patent's validity.
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Opposition & Litigation:
Although Singapore’s patent laws favor patent holders, opposition proceedings can challenge the scope if prior similar inventions are found.
5. Patent Strategies and Implications
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Licensing and Commercialization:
The patent can function as a basis for licensing agreements within Singapore and across Asia-Pacific.
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Patent Term and Extensions:
Pharmaceutical patents typically enjoy 20-year protection from filing, with potential term extensions for regulatory delays.
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Impact on Generic Entry:
The patent's breadth could delay generic competition, impacting drug pricing and market access in Singapore.
Conclusion and Strategic Insights
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Scope Clarity Enables Enforcement:
Well-drafted claims focusing on specific drug forms or methods provide enforceable rights and deter infringement.
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Filling Regional Gaps is Critical:
To maximize market exclusivity, filing corresponding international patents amplifies the scope and economic value.
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Monitoring Competitor IP Files:
Continuous patent landscape analysis reveals potential infringers, challenges, or licensing opportunities.
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Emerging Technologies and Polymorphs:
Innovators should consider patenting multiple polymorphs, delivery systems, or combinations to strengthen patent family portfolios.
Key Takeaways
- Singapore Patent SG10201607813S covers a specific drug formulation or method, with claims designed to secure regional exclusivity.
- The patent's strength hinges on claim clarity, novelty, and inventive step, critical in safeguarding market position.
- Its strategic value is amplified when integrated into a broader international patent family, deterring competitors and facilitating licensing.
- Continuous monitoring of the patent landscape, particularly in Asia-Pacific markets, is vital for informed decision-making and risk management.
- Innovators should consider patenting multiple embodiments, delivery systems, and combinations to create a resilient IP portfolio.
FAQs
1. What is the typical scope of a pharmaceutical patent like SG10201607813S?
It generally encompasses a novel chemical entity, a specific formulation, a method of synthesis, or a therapeutic use, with claims tailored to the invention's novelty and industrial applicability.
2. How does the patent landscape in Singapore influence pharmaceutical innovation?
Singapore's efficient IP regime encourages local and foreign investments in R&D, fostering innovation and providing strategic patent protection in the Asian market.
3. Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
Yes. Challenges can be initiated based on lack of novelty, inventive step, or insufficiency of disclosure. Prior art citations, oppositions, or legal proceedings can impact its validity.
4. Is filing a patent in Singapore sufficient for patent protection in Asia?
No. While Singapore is a strategic filing jurisdiction, for broader protection, filing in other key markets (e.g., China, Japan, Europe, US) is essential to prevent infringement.
5. How can companies leverage this patent for commercial advantage?
By licensing the rights, developing formulations that avoid infringement, or using the patent as a basis for further innovation and partner negotiations.
References:
[1] Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). Singapore Patent Database.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) filings and strategies.
[3] Pharmaceutical patent law and practice guidelines, Singapore.
