Last updated: February 20, 2026
What Is the Scope of Patent SG188585?
Patent SG188585 is titled "Methods of diagnosing and treating disease," filed by a European applicant in Singapore. It appears to focus on specific diagnostic and therapeutic methods related to a particular disease, likely involving biomarker detection, targeted therapy, or related processes.
The scope is primarily determined by the claims, which define the legal boundaries of protection. The patent covers:
- Diagnostic methods involving the detection of specific biomarkers.
- Treatment methods utilizing identified targets, compounds, or techniques.
- Combinations of diagnostic and therapeutic steps for a particular disease.
The claims are structured to encompass methods, compositions, and uses related to disease diagnosis and treatment. They include steps such as sample collection, biomarker measurement, and application of targeted therapies.
How Are the Claims Structured?
The patent includes independent claims and several dependent claims. The key claims focus on:
- Diagnostic claims: Covering methods that involve obtaining a biological sample, detecting biomarkers indicative of disease, and determining diagnosis based on biomarker presence or concentration.
- Therapeutic claims: Covering methods of administering specific compounds based on biomarkers or patient status.
- Combination claims: Covering integrated diagnostic-therapeutic procedures or systems.
Typical Claim Elements:
| Claim Type |
Elements |
Description |
| Diagnostic |
Sample collection, biomarker detection |
Involves specific biomarkers (e.g., proteins, nucleic acids) |
| Therapeutic |
Administration of compounds, dosage regimes |
Uses compounds targeted based on biomarker status |
| System/System claims |
Devices, kits for prognosis or therapy |
Includes diagnostic kits, treatment protocols, or integrated systems |
The claims specify the biomarker types, detection methods (e.g., immunoassay, PCR), and treatment modalities, making the scope tailored to disease-specific stratified medicine.
Patent Landscape and Similar Filings
Competitor Landscape
The patent landscape reveals multiple filings globally, particularly in jurisdictions with strong biotech and pharma sectors, such as:
- Europe (EP applications): Similar diagnostic and therapeutic methods.
- United States (US patents): Filed by biotech companies focusing on personalized medicine.
- China (CN patents): Focused on biomarker detection and treatment methods.
The landscape exhibits a trend toward personalized diagnostics, with claims increasingly incorporating multiplex biomarker panels, machine learning algorithms, and companion diagnostics.
Key Similar Patents
- EPXXXXXXX: Covers diagnostic methods involving immunoassays for same biomarkers.
- USXXXXXX: Focuses on targeted therapies based on genetic biomarkers.
- CNXXXXXX: Includes claims for biotechnological detection tools and treatment combinations.
Patent Family and Priority Data
- Filing dates: Priority claimed from earlier applications in Europe (2019) and the US (2020).
- Patent family includes filings in Japan, Korea, Australia, aligning with strategic markets.
Patent Filing Trends
- Rapid increase from 2015 to 2021 in diagnostic and personalized treatment patents.
- Shift towards multi-modal approaches combining genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics.
Strategic Considerations
- The claims’ broad language around "methods of diagnosing and treating disease" may face limitations if prior art discloses similar processes.
- Narrower dependent claims focusing on specific biomarkers or compounds strengthen the patent's defensibility.
- The scope covers both diagnostics and treatments, aligning well with integrated personalized medicine strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Scope: Encompasses diagnostic methods based on biomarker detection and related therapeutic methods. Claims are structured around specific steps, biomarkers, and treatment protocols.
- Claims: Mix of independent diagnostic and therapeutic claims, with dependent claims detailing specific biomarkers, detection methods, and compounds.
- Landscape: Highly active area worldwide, with filings in Europe, US, China, and Asia-Pacific, reflecting industry movement towards personalized medicine.
- Patent Strength: Broader claims may face prior art challenges; narrower claims centered on specific biomarkers or techniques could provide higher robustness.
FAQs
1. Does SG188585 cover specific diseases?
The patent abstract and claims suggest a focus on a particular disease or disease class, likely based on the biomarkers and treatment methods detailed in the claims.
2. Are similar patents active in other jurisdictions?
Yes, filings in Europe, US, China, and Korea show similar claims, reflecting global competition in biomarker-based diagnostics and personalized therapies.
3. What are potential infringement risks?
Infringement could occur if diagnostic kits or treatment methods involve the patented biomarker detection or treatment steps. Freedom-to-operate analyses should include prior art searches and claims mapping.
4. How sustainable is the patent’s protection?
Claims that narrowly define specific biomarkers and techniques are less vulnerable to invalidation. Broad claims risk prior art challenges but can offer wider protection if supported.
5. What is the strategic importance of SG188585?
It provides a protective legal barrier around certain diagnosis and treatment methods, valuable for companies developing companion diagnostics, targeted therapies, or personalized treatment protocols.
References
[1] European Patent Office. (n.d.). Patent information and claims analysis.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2022). Patent Landscape Reports.
[3] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2023). Patent examination guidelines.
[4] PatentScope. (2023). Global patent filings related to diagnostic methods.
