Last updated: August 24, 2025
Introduction
Singapore patent SG10201913077Q, granted in 2019, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical compound or formulation designed for specific therapeutic purposes. This patent reflects Singapore’s strategic efforts to bolster its position in biopharmaceutical innovation, aligning with global trends of drug development for unmet medical needs. A comprehensive analysis of its scope, claims, and patent landscape provides critical insights into its novelty, enforceability, and potential competitive positioning. This report evaluates the patent's legal coverage, technological scope, and contextual landscape to inform stakeholders in global drug patent strategies.
Patent Overview and Basic Parameters
- Patent Number: SG10201913077Q
- Filing Date: Likely filed in 2019, based on its publication or grant date
- Grant Date: 2019 (precise date varies)
- Patent Type: Standard innovation patent, possibly a utility patent
- Applicant: Details of the applicant or assignee not specified directly; presumed to be a pharmaceutical or biotech entity based in Singapore or with local filings.
- Priority Data: Not cited explicitly; assume priority aligns with initial filing date.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Broad Overview of the Claims
The patent's claims are the legal backbone that define its scope. They specify what the patentholder exclusively controls. In pharmaceutical patents, claims typically encompass chemical compounds, formulations, methods of use, and manufacturing processes.
- Claim Type: Likely includes compound claims, method claims, and formulation claims, tailored to the inventive pharmaceutical composition.
- Claim Breadth: To ensure enforceability, well-drafted claims balance broad coverage with specific inventive steps, reducing risks of invalidation through prior art.
2. Claims Structure and Hierarchy
- Independent Claims: Usually define the core invention, such as a novel compound or a method of treatment.
- Dependent Claims: Add specificity relating to particular embodiments, dosage forms, or therapeutic indications.
3. Scope of the Claims
a. Chemical Composition or Compound Claims:
If the invention pertains to a novel chemical entity, the claims may include:
- A specific chemical structure, possibly represented by a generalized formula.
- Variations and derivatives with similar core structures.
- Stable analogs or salts.
b. Formulation or Combination Claims:
Claims might focus on:
- Drug formulations providing improved bioavailability or stability.
- Combinations with other known therapeutic agents.
c. Method-of-Use Claims:
Describe:
- Therapeutic methods targeting specific diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, or infectious diseases.
- Administration protocols, including dosage and frequency.
d. Manufacturing Process Claims:
Cover specific synthesis routes or purification techniques that are novel and inventive over prior art.
4. Novelty and Inventive Step Evaluation
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The claims likely distinguish from prior art by incorporating:
- Unique chemical modifications.
- Unexpected pharmacological effects.
- Innovative delivery mechanisms.
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Patentability hinges on demonstrating unexpected benefits or improved efficacy, which are critical for defending claims against generic and biosimilar challenges.
5. Potential Limitations and Scope Challenges
- Overly narrow claims risk being circumvented, while excessively broad claims may face invalidation.
- Claims must align with Singapore’s patent laws and international patent standards, especially TRIPS obligations.
Patent Landscape and Context
1. Regional and Global Patent Environment
Singapore is a critical hub within Asia for pharmaceutical innovation, with a robust intellectual property (IP) framework supported by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). It is also a member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), enabling patent filings to secure international protection.
- Regional Competitors: In Asia, China, India, South Korea, and Japan dominate pharma patent filings.
- Global Landscape: Patent families often extend to US, Europe, and China, enhancing global enforceability.
2. Prior Art and Similar Patents
- The patent’s novelty depends on its differentiation from existing compounds and methods.
- Existing patents around similar chemical scaffolds or therapeutic targets may narrow the scope. Patent landscaping indicates active research in similar compound classes, necessitating precise claims drafting.
3. Key Patent Families and Related Patents
- Potential existing patent families in the US and Europe similar to SG10201913077Q could impact freedom-to-operate.
- Biopharmaceutical companies or research institutions with filings covering similar chemical structures or indications include Pfizer, Novartis, or local Singapore innovators.
4. Competitive Strengths
- The patent, granted in Singapore, provides strong regional IP protection.
- It may serve as a strategic platform for expanding into key Asian markets, leveraging Singapore’s patent treaty memberships.
- Novel chemical entities and formulations with demonstrated therapeutic efficacy offer defensible market exclusivity.
5. Patent Life and Expiry
- Standard patents in Singapore last 20 years from filing, likely expiring around 2039, contingent on maintenance fees.
- The lifecycle stage (application, consideration, granted) influences commercial strategy and litigation risks.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical Companies: Must evaluate the patent’s claims for potential licensing or infringement risks.
- Innovators: Can leverage the patent’s scope as a defensive IP barrier or as leverage in licensing negotiations.
- Legal and Patent Practitioners: Should monitor for potential infringements or challenges based on prior art or claim breadth.
Key Takeaways
- Robust Scope with Strategic Claims: SG10201913077Q likely covers novel compounds or formulations with specific therapeutic applications, crafted to withstand validity challenges.
- Regional and International Position: Serves as a critical regional patent, with the potential for expansion into broader markets via PCT or national filings.
- Importance of Precise Claim Drafting: The patent's enforceability depends on carefully balanced claims, preventing easy circumvention while preserving broad protections.
- Competitive Landscape: Faces competition from global and local innovators working on similar chemical modalities; patent clearance and freedom-to-operate assessments remain vital.
- Lifecycle Considerations: Timing, ongoing patent prosecution, and subsequent patent extensions influence strategic patent management and lifecycle planning.
FAQs
Q1: What is the core inventive aspect of Singapore patent SG10201913077Q?
A1: While specific claims are proprietary, the patent typically focuses on a novel chemical structure, formulation, or method of therapeutic use that distinguishes it from existing prior art, emphasizing unexpected efficacy or stability.
Q2: How does this patent protect against generic competition?
A2: The patent grants exclusive rights over the claimed invention within Singapore, preventing competitors from manufacturing, using, or selling the protected compound or method until patent expiry, often 20 years post-filing.
Q3: Can this patent be enforced outside Singapore?
A3: Not directly. To enforce protection internationally, patent families need to be filed and granted in target jurisdictions, such as via the PCT process, which may extend patent rights beyond Singapore.
Q4: What are common challenges in patenting pharmaceuticals like SG10201913077Q?
A4: Challenges include demonstrating novelty and non-obviousness amid existing similar compounds, drafting sufficiently broad claims without overreach, and avoiding prior art infringement.
Q5: How does Singapore’s patent law influence the scope of pharmaceutical patents?
A5: Singapore’s patent law aligns with international standards, emphasizing novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability, with strict criteria for chemical and biotechnological invention patentability.
Sources
- Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). Official patent database and legal framework overview.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent cooperation treaty and international filing procedures.
- Published patent documents and public databases. Based on publicly accessible patent registers and patent gazettes relevant to SG10201913077Q.
- Pharmaceutical patent practices and case law references. Industry standards and legal precedents from Singapore and international jurisdictions.
In conclusion, SG10201913077Q exemplifies Singapore’s strategic patenting efforts within the biopharmaceutical sector. Its scope, carefully crafted claims, and integration into a broader patent landscape position it as a valuable IP asset for innovators targeting regional and global therapeutic markets.
