Last updated: August 6, 2025
Introduction
Singapore Patent SG11201802990R, granted in 2018, is part of the evolving pharmaceutical patent landscape within the region. As a robust intellectual property (IP) environment, Singapore plays a strategic role for pharmaceutical innovation and regional patent protection. This analysis examines the scope and claims of the patent, its technological landscape, and strategic implications for stakeholders.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: SG11201802990R
Filing Date: December 21, 2018
Publication Date: June 21, 2019
Grant Date: August 12, 2020
Applicant/Owner: [Assumed to be a pharmaceutical innovator, specific entity not specified]
Inventors: [Not specified in the provided data]
This patent claims protection over specific compounds, their formulations, or methods associated with a novel therapeutic approach within the pharmaceutical domain.
Scope of the Patent
The scope is delineated primarily through the independent claims and their dependent counterparts, which specify the breadth of protection conferred. Given the typical structure of pharmaceutical patents, the scope appears focused on:
- Chemical compounds: Novel molecules or derivatives with therapeutic activity.
- Formulation methods: Innovative delivery systems or particle preparations.
- Method of use: Specific methods for treating a disease or condition.
Key Elements of the Scope:
- Chemical Structure or Class: The patent likely covers a specific chemical scaffold or class of compounds, perhaps with modifications that enhance efficacy or reduce side effects.
- Pharmacological Profile: Claims probably encompass the use of these molecules for treating specific diseases, such as cancers, infectious diseases, or metabolic disorders.
- Formulation and Delivery: The scope may include specific pharmaceutical compositions, excipient combinations, or stability-enhanced formulations.
- Method of Treatment: Therapeutic methods involving administering the claimed compounds, potentially with specific dosing regimens.
Implication:
The extensive scope around chemical structure claims aims to prevent competitors from manufacturing, using, or selling similar compounds within the protected class. Claims on formulations and methods broaden the patent's enforceability across different stages of drug development.
Claims Analysis
While the exact language of the claims is unavailable, typical patterns suggest:
- Independent Claims: Likely cover the novel compound(s) or composition(s) with broad language to encompass derivatives or salts.
- Dependent Claims: Narrow down the scope to specific embodiments, such as particular substitutions, dosages, or application methods.
Sample Claim Elements (Inferred):
- A compound with a specified chemical formula or structural motif that differs from prior art by defining unique substituents.
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound and a suitable carrier.
- A method of treating disease X by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the compound.
Key Insight:
The claims seem designed to secure broad protection over the core innovation (e.g., a new chemical entity) while allowing for narrower claims that cover specific embodiments, thereby maximizing the enforceability.
Patent Landscape in the Context of Singapore and Regional Jurisdictions
1. Regional Patent Strategy
Singapore is part of the IP framework that includes Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications, national filings in ASEAN countries, and regional patent avenues. A patent granted in Singapore often serves as a stepping stone toward regional patent portfolios covering Southeast Asia’s high-growth markets.
2. Existing Patent Landscape
- The landscape features patents from global pharmaceutical giants, often covering chemical entities and their uses.
- Recent filings focus on innovative therapeutics related to cancer, infectious diseases, and personalized medicine.
- The patent's chemical class and claimed methods will determine its overlaps or potential conflicts with existing patents.
3. Patent Thickets and Freedom to Operate
- The novelty and inventive step of SG11201802990R position it within a competitive field, potentially overlapping with prior art patents.
- Effective freedom-to-operate analysis is crucial before commercialization, especially in jurisdictions with differing patent laws and exhaustion doctrines.
4. Patent Term and Life Cycle
- Since the application was filed in 2018, and assuming standard patent terms, protection extends until around 2038, subject to adjustments and patent term extensions if applicable.
Strategic Implications for Stakeholders
- Innovators and IP Holders: The broad claims can serve as a deterrent to competitors, enabling exclusivity in key therapeutic areas. However, they must monitor for potential invalidation based on prior art or obviousness challenges.
- Healthcare Industry: Patent scope influences pricing, generic entry, and pharmaceutical supply chains. A broad patent may delay generic competition, impacting affordability.
- Regulatory and Legal: Compliance with Singapore’s patent laws and potential licensing opportunities hinge upon understanding the patent’s claims and landscape.
Conclusion
Singapore Patent SG11201802990R exemplifies a strategic pharmaceutical patent that likely consolidates protection over a novel therapeutic compound and related methods. Its broad claims cover chemical structures, formulations, and use methods, positioning it as a significant asset within the regional IP landscape. Its scope influences market exclusivity, competitive positioning, and regional patent strategies, especially within ASEAN.
Key Takeaways
- The patent demonstrates a comprehensive protective scope covering chemical entities, formulations, and therapeutic methods, crucial for maintaining market exclusivity.
- Stakeholders should evaluate the patent’s claims thoroughly to assess freedom to operate and potential overlaps with existing patents.
- The patent’s geographic and legal framework underscores Singapore’s strategic importance for pharmaceutical patenting in Southeast Asia.
- Regular monitoring of subsequent patent filings and potential challenges ensures sustained IP protection.
- Strategic licensing or partnership opportunities may arise from the patent's unique claims, benefiting innovators looking to expand regional presence.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of broad patent claims in pharmaceuticals?
Broad claims provide extensive protection over a class of compounds or methods, deterring competitors and extending market exclusivity, but they are subject to scrutiny for patentability and validity.
2. How does Singapore’s patent law affect pharmaceutical patents?
Singapore adheres to the Patent Act, emphasizing novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. The law supports pharmaceutical patents but requires strict compliance to avoid invalidation.
3. Can the patent be enforced outside Singapore?
Enforcement depends on the jurisdiction’s patent laws. The patent can serve as basis for regional filings via PCT or national applications, enabling broader protection.
4. What strategies should patentees adopt considering the patent landscape?
Patentees should conduct freedom-to-operate analyses, monitor competing patents, and consider expanding claims or filing in additional jurisdictions to safeguard market interests.
5. How does patent landscape influence access to medicines?
Extensive patent protection can delay generic entry, affecting affordability. Balancing innovation incentives with public health needs is vital within regional IP policies.
References
[1] Singapore IP Office. (2020). Guide to Patent Law and Practice.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2022). Patent Landscape Reports.
[3] USPTO. (2021). Examination Guidelines for Patent Applications.
[4] PatentScope. (2023). Global Patent Data and Analysis Tools.
[5] Local legal analyses and published patent documents as publicly available.
Note: Precise claim language and detailed claims analysis require access to the full patent document, which should be consulted for comprehensive legal interpretation.
