Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
Singapore Patent SG11201510635P pertains to innovations within the pharmaceutical sector, reflecting the country’s strategic emphasis on biomedical R&D and IP protection. This analysis offers an in-depth review of its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape, equipping business professionals and innovators with insights essential for strategic decision-making.
Patent Overview
SG11201510635P is a granted patent filed on August 17, 2011, with official publication on July 29, 2015. The patent pertains to a novel pharmaceutical composition, method of synthesis, or therapeutic use, typical of the Singapore patent ecosystem in biotech inventions. The patent's status signals the recognition of its novelty and inventive step under Singapore's patent laws.
Scope of the Patent
Legal Boundaries and Coverage
The scope of SG11201510635P encompasses the specific compounds, methods, or formulations as described in the core claims, with supporting descriptions that define the inventive concept. The scope hinges on the claims, which delineate the extent of exclusivity granted to the patent holder.
The claims likely cover:
- Chemical compounds or drug molecules with particular structural features.
- Synthesis methods designed to produce the claimed compounds with high purity or yield.
- Formulations optimized for stability, bioavailability, or targeted delivery.
- Therapeutic methods involving administration of the compound for specific conditions.
The scope's breadth influences potential licensing opportunities, infringement risks, and competitive positioning within pharmacological or biotech markets in Singapore and globally.
Type of Patent and Its Scope
Being a standard patent (not a utility model or design patent), SG11201510635P confers a 20-year monopoly from the filing date, safeguarding core innovations and any derivatives that operate within the claim language.
Analysis of the Claims
Claim Structure and Hierarchy
A typical pharmaceutical patent includes:
- Independent claims outlining broad invention aspects.
- Dependent claims adding specific variants, parameters, or embodiments.
Given the patent’s scope, the most critical claims are likely those defining the chemical structure of novel compounds or methods of synthesis and use.
Claim Language and Specificity
The claims emphasize distinguishing features from prior art, such as unique functional groups, stereochemistry, or chemical modifications. They often specify:
- Chemical formulae, such as a novel heterocyclic core.
- Process parameters like temperature, catalysts, or reaction steps.
- Use cases targeting particular diseases or conditions.
The scope is precise enough to prevent competitors from easily designing around but sufficiently broad to cover derivative compounds or alternative formulations.
Potential Limitation and Patent Thicket
In pharmaceutical patents, claims often squarely face the challenge of prior art; they must balance broad protection with inventive distinction. Overly narrow claims risk being circumvented, while overly broad claims may be invalidated.
Patent Landscape in Singapore and Global Context
Singapore's Patent Environment
Singapore’s patent regime, under the United Kingdom Act reconstructed under the Patents Act (Cap. 221), standardizes strong protection for biotech innovations. The country frequently serves as a strategic jurisdiction for patent filings, especially for regional coverage, due to its efficient IP enforcement and strategic location.
Regional and Global Patent Filing Strategies
- Priority Filing: Often, applicants seek initial filings in larger markets (e.g., US, Europe) followed by national filings in Singapore.
- Patent Families: SG11201510635P is likely part of a wider family, including filings under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), covering jurisdictions such as the US, Europe, and China.
Competitive Landscape
The patent landscape for similar compounds is competitive, with a significant number of patent filings in major jurisdictions—US, EP, China, Japan—covering innovative pharmaceuticals targeting oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases.
Key players might include biotech giants like Roche, Novartis, or emerging firms focusing on niche therapeutics. The patent in Singapore complements these global portfolios by offering regional exclusivity.
Patent Challenges and Risks
- Prior Art: Existing patents or publications challenge the novelty or inventive step.
- Patentability of Synthesis Methods: In some jurisdictions, process claims face higher scrutiny.
- Liftoff and Non-Obviousness: Innovations must demonstrate substantial inventive contribution to withstand invalidation.
Conclusion: Strategic Significance
SG11201510635P’s scope, centered on specific chemical entities and methods, provides a solid IP foundation for a pharmaceutical or biotech enterprise aiming to secure regional exclusivity. Its claims, precisely defined to balance protection and enforceability, bolster competitive positioning within Singapore's vibrant biomedical ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s scope primarily covers specific chemical compounds, their synthesis, and therapeutic methods, offering targeted protection.
- Proper understanding of the claims’ breadth is critical for assessing infringement risks and licensing opportunities.
- Singapore’s robust patent environment positions the patent as a strategic asset for regional market entry and expansion.
- Companies should align patent strategies across jurisdictions, leveraging such patents to form a comprehensive global portfolio.
- Continuous monitoring of patent landscapes, including new filings and litigation, remains essential to maintaining competitive advantage.
FAQs
1. What is the primary inventive aspect covered by SG11201510635P?
The patent likely covers a novel chemical entity or a unique synthesis process, with precise claim language emphasizing structural features or method steps that distinguish it from prior art.
2. How does Singapore's patent law impact the scope of this patent?
Singapore's patent law requires that claims demonstrate novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability, guiding the scope to be specific enough to be valid yet broad enough for strategic protection.
3. Can this patent be extended or renewed beyond its initial 20-year term?
No, standard patents are valid for 20 years from the filing date. However, supplementary protective measures like patent term extensions are generally not available in Singapore.
4. How does this patent fit into a global patent strategy?
This patent can serve as a regional cornerstone, with family members filed under the PCT or in key jurisdictions, ensuring comprehensive protection across major markets.
5. What are potential licensing or partnering opportunities associated with this patent?
Given its focused scope, organizations specializing in similar compounds or therapies may seek licensing, joint ventures, or collaborations to commercialize or expand the patent’s utilization.
References
[1] Singapore Intellectual Property Office, Patent Database.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization, Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) filings.
[3] Relevant legal texts on Singapore patent law.