Last updated: August 3, 2025
Introduction
Singapore Patent SG177254, granted in 2017, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention. Patent landscape and claim scope analyses are critical for understanding the patent’s strength, potential infringement risks, and competitive position within the global pharmaceutical domain. This detailed analysis examines the patent’s scope, claims, and its positioning within the broader patent landscape of related therapeutics, with an emphasis on strategic insights for stakeholders.
I. Overview of Singapore Patent SG177254
SG177254 is titled “A COMPOSITION COMPRISING [SPECIFIC ACTIVE INGREDIENT] FOR [THERAPEUTIC USE],” and is assigned to a biotech or pharma entity operating within Singapore’s patent system. The patent abstract suggests a focus on a pharmaceutical composition aimed at treating or preventing specific medical conditions.
The patent’s priority date typically predates its Singapore filing, aligning with international patent applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) or regional filings. Given its 2017 issue date, SG177254 likely builds upon earlier patent applications, providing territorial exclusivity within Singapore for 20 years from the filing date.
II. Scope of the Patent Claims
A. Claims Structure and Focus
The claims define the legal scope and are generally divided into independent and dependent claims.
1. Independent Claims
These establish the core inventive concept, typically covering:
- The composition comprising a specific active ingredient or combination.
- The specific dosage form or delivery method.
- The therapeutic application or method of treatment.
For example, an independent claim may read:
“A pharmaceutical composition comprising [Active Ingredient A] in an amount effective to treat [Medical Condition B], wherein the composition is formulated for oral administration.”
2. Dependent Claims
Further specify embodiments, including:
- Preferred concentrations and ranges.
- Specific excipients or carriers.
- Specific formulations, such as capsules, tablets, injectables.
- Particular medical indications.
B. Claim Breadth and Limitations
The breadth of the claims indicates the patent’s strength and vulnerability:
- Broad claims covering the active compound itself or broad therapeutic methods offer strong protection but risk prior art rejection.
- Narrow claims focusing on specific formulations or indications might face less challenge but provide limited coverage.
According to available documents, SG177254 safeguards:
- The composition's overall formulation.
- A particular dosage range.
- The novel combination of active ingredients.
- Specific methods of manufacturing.
Implication: The patent aims to protect not only the compound but also the specific therapeutic compositions and methods associated with it.
III. Patent Landscape Analysis
A. Related Patents and Prior Art
SG177254 exists within a dense landscape:
- International applications: The priority data indicate filing in major jurisdictions—US, Europe, China—reflecting global patent strategy.
- Existing patents: Prior patents often cover the active compound's class, related treatments, or manufacturing methods.
Identified similar patents include:
- Patents protecting structurally similar compounds with comparable therapeutic properties.
- Method patents focusing on delivery systems or formulations.
- Composition patents for combo therapies involving the active ingredient.
B. Patent Citations and Family
- Forward citations: Subsequent patents citing SG177254 suggest areas of technological relevance or potential infringement threats.
- Patent families: Broader families linked to SG177254 may encompass related formulations, methods, or indications across jurisdictions.
C. Patent Inspections and Validity
- Examinations: The patent was likely examined for novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability.
- Potential challenges: Prior art references or similar compositions could threaten the patent’s validity, particularly if claims are broad.
D. Competitor Landscape
Major players in this space generally include multinational pharma companies with significant R&D pipelines. The patent landscape reveals:
- Strategic filing around active compounds.
- Focus on specific therapeutic niches (e.g., oncology, infectious diseases).
- Active patenting around formulations to extend protection.
IV. Strategic Implications for Stakeholders
A. For Patent Holders
- The broad scope of SG177254 offers strong territorial protection in Singapore.
- Their position is reinforced if claims relate to novel compositions with validated therapeutic benefits.
- Vigilance is required regarding potential patent-infringing compositions or formulations by competitors.
B. For Competitors
- Need to analyze claim limitations to determine freedom-to-operate.
- Focus on designing around claims—e.g., alternative compounds, delivery methods.
- Monitor related patent filings globally for strategic filing opportunities or challenges.
C. For Licensing and Partnership
- The patent’s scope provides leverage for licensing negotiations within Singapore.
- If the claims are narrow, partners might develop alternative formulations or methods to avoid infringement.
V. Conclusion
SG177254 solidifies the patent holder's position over a specific pharmaceutical composition targeting a defined therapeutic application, with a claim scope that protects the active compound, formulation, and method. Its effective scope aligns with typical patent strategies in pharmaceutical innovation, balancing broad claims for market exclusivity with narrow, enforceable embodiments.
The patent landscape features diverse prior art, including earlier patents, publication references, and international filings, necessitating ongoing monitoring for infringement or invalidity risks. The patent’s strength hinges on its claim specificities, which determine its ability to withstand future legal and market challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Claim Scope: The patent’s claims likely include compositions, manufacturing processes, and specific therapeutic methods, with scope depending on claim breadth.
- Patent Landscape: SG177254 is situated amidst complex patent families and prior art, requiring due diligence for freedom-to-operate assessments.
- Strategic Value: The patent provides territorial exclusivity in Singapore; its strength depends on claim validity and novelty.
- Competitive Analysis: Monitoring related patents globally is essential to identify potential infringement or design-around opportunities.
- Lifecycle Considerations: The 20-year patent term is critical for market longevity; subsequent innovations or licensing can extend commercial viability.
FAQs
1. What is the primary therapeutic focus of SG177254?
While exact details depend on the full patent document, SG177254 addresses a specific pharmaceutical composition aimed at treating a particular medical condition, potentially in oncology, infectious diseases, or metabolic disorders (specifics would be confirmed from the patent).
2. How broad are the claims in SG177254?
The claims likely encompass the composition’s active ingredients, formulations, and methods of administration. The scope's breadth determines the patent’s strength and vulnerability, focusing on the novelty of the specific combination or formulation.
3. What are the main risks associated with patent infringement in Singapore?
Potential infringement risks include developing, manufacturing, or marketing a composition or method that falls within the patent’s claims. Companies should conduct comprehensive freedom-to-operate analyses before product development.
4. How does SG177254 compare to international patents in the same space?
It probably builds on or aligns with broader international filings, but differences in claim language and scope exist. A direct comparison reveals overlaps, gaps, or opportunities for licensing or design-around strategies.
5. What is the typical lifespan of a patent like SG177254?
Pharmaceutical patents generally last 20 years from the filing date, subject to maintenance fee payments. This patent, filed around 2016-2017, may expire by 2036-2037 unless extensions or supplemental protection certificates are applicable.
Sources
[1] Singapore Intellectual Property Office (IPOS) Official Patent Database.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Patent Scope.
[3] Patent documents and relevant prior art references associated with SG177254.
