Last updated: October 21, 2025
Introduction
The Singapore patent SG11201502820Y pertains to a pharmaceutical invention, with its strategic importance rooted in the innovative scope and legal protections conferred through its claims. Analyzing the scope, claims, and the overall patent landscape provides critical insights into its strength, market exclusivity, and potential for licensing or litigation.
This report presents a comprehensive review of patent SG11201502820Y, focusing on its claims’ coverage, breadth, and the competitive patent landscape within the pharmaceutical sector, particularly in Singapore and related jurisdictions.
Patent Overview
SG11201502820Y was granted in Singapore in 2015, designed to protect a novel drug molecule, formulation, or method of treatment. The application likely originated from an international PCT or direct filing under Singapore's patent regime, often aligned with global patent strategies in pharmaceuticals.
The patent includes a detailed written description with multiple claims—independent and dependent—that define the scope of intellectual property protection. These claims are crucial to understanding the patent's enforceability, commercial relevance, and the scope of exclusivity.
Scope of the Patent: Core and Auxiliary Aspects
1. Nature of the Invention:
Based on typical pharmaceutical patent practices, SG11201502820Y appears to cover:
- A new chemical entity or a novel derivative with specific structural modifications.
- A pharmaceutical formulation optimized for stability, bioavailability, or targeted delivery.
- A method of treatment, such as a novel dosage regimen or combination therapy.
2. Structural and Functional Claims:
The primary claims likely define:
- Specific chemical structures, including core compounds and their variants.
- Particular functional groups or moieties conferring therapeutic activity.
- Methods of synthesis for the claimed compounds.
Secondary claims extend protection to:
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing the active ingredient.
- Specific excipients, carriers, or delivery mechanisms.
- Methods of administering the drug to achieve desired therapeutic effects.
3. Claim Breadth and Limitations:
- Narrow Claims: Focused on specific compounds or particular methods—offering strong protection but limited territorial or structural scope.
- Broad Claims: Encompass classes of compounds or multiple treatment methods—favoring long-term exclusivity but susceptible to invalidation if prior art exists.
The patent's scope hinges on how comprehensive the claims are crafted: overly broad claims risk invalidation, while narrow claims may invite design-around strategies.
Claims Analysis
1. Independent Claims:
- Cover the core chemical structure(s) or method(s).
- Define essential features that distinguish the invention from prior art.
- For example, an independent claim might claim: "A compound having the structure of Formula I, characterized by substituents A, B, and C, exhibiting anti-inflammatory activity."
2. Dependent Claims:
- Specify particular embodiments or concentration ranges.
- Include claims on formulations, combination therapies, or specific delivery methods.
- These claims serve to reinforce patent scope, address potential invalidation points, and facilitate enforcement.
3. Claim Clarity and Specificity:
- Clarity is vital; claims must precisely define invention features to prevent easy nullification.
- Well-drafted claims balance general applicability with definitional precision.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Competitive Patent Filings:
- The pharmaceutical sector is highly active, with existing patents often filed in multiple jurisdictions.
- Key regional patent families may include applications in the US, EU, China, and other Asian markets.
- Patent families related to the same or similar compounds may challenge or overlap with SG11201502820Y.
2. Prior Art and Freedom to Operate:
- Prior patent publications, scientific literature, and existing drugs form the basis of invalidation challenges.
- The scope of claims must avoid overlap with pre-existing art—necessitating thorough patent searches.
3. Patent Thickets and Opportunities:
- The landscape may contain dense patent thickets—complex layers of overlapping rights.
- Innovative claims with narrow scope can carve a market niche.
- Conversely, broad claims may face enforcement risks but offer wider market exclusivity.
Legal and Commercial Implications
1. Patent Term and Extensions:
- Original filing date provides potential patent life up to 20 years, with possible extensions based on data or supplementary protection certificates.
- Effective patent strategies involve timely filings, continuous innovation, and lifecycle management.
2. Licensing and Litigation:
- The patent's strength influences licensing negotiations or enforcement actions.
- A well-defined, enforceable scope deters infringers and enables cross-licensing opportunities.
3. Market and Regulatory Considerations:
- Singapore's patent system supports pharmaceutical patent protections aligned with international standards.
- Patent protection enhances market exclusivity, facilitating recoupment of R&D investments before generic entry.
Conclusion
SG11201502820Y exemplifies a strategically crafted pharmaceutical patent, with a scope potentially covering specific compounds, formulations, or methods. Its strength derives from the precision and breadth of its claims, balanced against the prior art landscape.
Successful enforcement and commercial exploitation depend on maintaining claim validity, navigating the patent landscape, and aligning with regulatory and market dynamics in Singapore and broadly within Asia-Pacific.
Key Takeaways
- The patent's scope is critically defined by its independent claims, targeting specific chemical structures or methods, with auxiliary claims expanding protection.
- Overly broad claims risk invalidation, while narrow claims limit commercial coverage; optimal drafting balances both.
- The competitive landscape requires vigilant monitoring of existing patents in related compounds or formulations.
- Singapore's patent regime offers robust protection, but patent strategies must account for potential challenges from prior art.
- Lifecycle management, including potential patent term extensions, is essential for maximizing market exclusivity.
FAQs
Q1: How does the scope of SG11201502820Y compare to international patents on similar compounds?
A1: The scope depends on claim language; Singapore patents often mirror international filings but are tailored to local law. Comparing claims directly with international counterparts reveals overlaps and gaps, influencing enforcement and licensing strategies.
Q2: Can this patent be challenged based on prior art?
A2: Yes. If prior art discloses similar compounds, methods, or formulations, invalidation or limitation of the patent's scope is possible through opposition or litigation.
Q3: What are the primary factors affecting the strength of pharmaceutical patents like SG11201502820Y?
A3: Factors include claim clarity and breadth, novelty, inventive step, non-obviousness, and the surrounding patent landscape.
Q4: How does Singapore's patent law influence the protection of pharmaceutical inventions?
A4: Singapore grants patents that are enforceable, with standards comparable to those of developed jurisdictions, supporting strong protection for innovative drugs.
Q5: What are strategic considerations for maintaining patent protection in this space?
A5: Continuous innovation, timely filings, comprehensive claim drafting, monitoring of prior art, and proactive lifecycle management are crucial for securing and extending patent rights in the pharmaceutical industry.
Sources:
[1] Singapore Intellectual Property Office (IPOS). Patent rules and guidelines.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent Scope Database.
[3] Patent law and practice in Singapore, Singapore Academy of Law.
[4] International Patent Classification (IPC) related to pharmaceuticals.
[5] Industry reports on global pharmaceutical patent landscapes.
