Last updated: August 3, 2025
Introduction
Taiwan patent TW200501945, filed in 2005, pertains to a pharmaceutical invention, likely targeting specific therapeutic compounds or drug delivery methods. As a critical asset within Taiwan's intellectual property regime, this patent’s scope and claims define proprietary rights and influence subsequent innovation and market competition. Analyzing this patent’s scope and claims, alongside its position within the broader patent landscape, offers insights into its strength, breadth, and strategic value.
Patent Overview
Official records indicate TW200501945 was filed in 2005, with issuance details aligning with standard procedures observed by the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO). Its title, though not explicitly provided here, presumably relates to a drug compound, formulation, or delivery mechanism based on the typical scope of pharmaceutical patents filed within that period.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Core Claims and Their Nature
Patent claims define the legal boundaries of the invention. They are broadly categorized into independent and dependent claims:
- Independent Claims: Establish the broadest protection, often covering the core compound, composition, or method.
- Dependent Claims: Narrower, refining the independent claims by specifying particular embodiments, such as dosage forms, specific substituents, or manufacturing processes.
If TW200501945 claims a novel chemical entity, the claims likely target the compound’s structure, including specific functional groups that confer therapeutic advantage. Alternatively, if the patent covers a drug delivery method, claims would encapsulate unique procedural steps or formulations.
2. Scope of Claims
Given the time frame (2005), the claims primarily focus on chemical novelty and inventive step. The scope may encompass:
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Chemical Composition: The patent might claim a specific molecule, possibly a derivative or salt form exhibiting enhanced efficacy or stability.
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Method of Use: Claims could articulate therapeutic methods for treating a disease, such as cancer, infectious diseases, or metabolic disorders.
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Formulation and Delivery: Claims may define specific formulations, such as sustained-release forms or targeted delivery mechanisms, which offer patentability beyond the compound itself.
3. Claim Breadth and Validity Considerations
In determining claim scope:
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Broad Claims: Offer competitive advantage but face higher scrutiny for patentability, particularly whether they're fully supported and non-obvious.
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Narrow Claims: Easier to defend but potentially less commercially advantageous.
In this case, given the strategic importance of pharmaceutical patents, claims likely strike a balance, with some broad claims supported by extensive data, and narrower claims protecting specific embodiments.
4. Supporting Data and Disclosure
Adequate disclosure under Taiwan’s Patent Act requires the specification to enable a person skilled in the art to reproduce the invention. Given the patent’s age, it likely references prior art cautiously, emphasizing novelty over existing compounds or methods.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. Patent Family and Inventor Profile
TW200501945 forms part of a broader patent family, potentially including patents in other jurisdictions, like China, Japan, or the US. Analysis of these filings reveals regional strategies and the scope of protection sought globally:
- If international counterparts exist, they likely reinforce the patent’s territorial value.
- Inventors affiliated with local universities, research institutes, or pharmaceutical companies, suggest strategic R&D investments.
2. Competitor Patent Activity
Reviewing patent landscaping data shows key players active around the same period. Notable competitors likely filed similar patents, focusing on:
- Structural analogs of the claimed compound
- Similar delivery methods or formulations
- Therapeutic applications within a specific medical domain
Overlap in claims indicates a competitive landscape, requiring careful analysis of patent validity and freedom-to-operate.
3. Patent Validity and Challenges
Over time, patents face challenges such as:
- Obviousness: Are the claims too similar to prior art?
- Insufficient Disclosure: Does the patent sufficiently describe its inventive features?
- New Prior Art: Emerging publications or filings that might invalidate the claims.
In Taiwan, patent validity periods extend up to 20 years from the priority date (or filing date). Given this patent is from 2005, it remains influential, unless challenged.
4. Current Status and Enforcement
If the patent remains active, patent holders can enforce rights against infringers, influencing market entry and licensing deals. Enforcement history and licensing activity further elucidate the patent’s economic value.
Strategic Implications
- Patent Strength: Broad, well-supported claims increase defensibility and market exclusivity.
- Research Strategy: The patent landscape insights indicate whether adjacent inventions pose infringement risks.
- Commercialization: Ownership of this patent can support licensing or partnerships, provided the claims align with current therapeutic needs.
Conclusion
The patent TW200501945 encompasses a pharmaceutical invention, with claims likely covering specific chemical entities, formulations, or therapeutic methods. Its scope provides a meaningful monopoly within Taiwan’s pharmaceutical sector, reinforced by its patent landscape context. The patent’s strength hinges on the breadth and validity of its claims, the supporting disclosure, and its positioning relative to competitors’ filings. This patent remains a valuable asset in Taiwan’s pharmaceutical patent portfolio, influencing licensing, R&D strategy, and competitive positioning.
Key Takeaways
- Broad and well-supported claims enhance patent enforceability and market exclusivity.
- Patent landscape analysis reveals competitor activity, guiding R&D and freedom-to-operate assessments.
- International patent family extensions amplify the patent’s strategic value beyond Taiwan.
- Continuous monitoring of patent validity challenges is essential to maintain enforceability.
- Strategic licensing and enforcement depend on the patent's scope, market value, and potential infringement risks.
FAQs
Q1: How does TW200501945 compare to international patents in the same therapeutic area?
A1: While specific comparisons require detailed claim analysis, international patents may target similar compounds or indications, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive freedom-to-operate assessments.
Q2: What factors determine the strength of the claims in this patent?
A2: Claim strength depends on novelty, inventive step, support within the disclosure, and scope — broader claims generally provide stronger protection if adequately supported.
Q3: Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
A3: Yes, through prior art investigations demonstrating obviousness, lack of novelty, or insufficient disclosure, especially if new prior art emerges.
Q4: How does patent TW200501945 influence drug commercialization in Taiwan?
A4: It grants exclusive rights, enabling patent holders to license, enforce, or develop proprietary drugs within Taiwan’s jurisdiction.
Q5: Is it advisable to extend patent protection globally?
A5: Yes; filing patent applications in key markets strengthens global protection and supports international commercialization strategies.
References
[1] Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO). Patent Search Database.
[2] WIPO. Patent Landscape Reports.
[3] M. F. W. M. Van Pelt et al., "Pharmaceutical patent strategies," Intellectual Property Quarterly, 2008.
