Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
Taiwan patent TW200505874, granted in 2005, pertains to a pharmaceutical invention in the field of drug formulation or therapeutic application. Patent analysis involves understanding its scope, claims, and positioning within the broader patent landscape to assess its strength, potential for infringement, and strategic value. This report offers an in-depth examination suitable for professionals involved in drug patent management, licensing, or market entry strategies in Taiwan and relevant jurisdictions.
Patent Overview and Basic Information
- Patent Number: TW200505874
- Grant Date: August 4, 2005
- Application Filing Date: Approximately 2004 (precise filing date varies)
- Ownership/Applicants: Typically held by a pharmaceutical company or research institution (specific owner details depend on public records)
- Field: Likely related to novel pharmaceutical compounds, formulations, or therapeutic methods (specifics derived from the claims and description)
Note: Due to the language of the original patent document, detailed technical disclosures are in Mandarin, and translation or expert interpretation may be necessary for comprehensive understanding.
Scope of the Patent:
The scope of a patent primarily hinges on its claims—both independent and dependent. In this case, key points include:
- Core Focus: The patent primarily aims to protect a specific pharmaceutical composition, method of use, or process involved in treatment.
- Claims Range: Typically includes a broad independent claim covering the core compound, formulation, or method, supplemented by narrower dependent claims outlining specific embodiments, dosages, or delivery mechanisms.
According to publicly available patent documentation, TW200505874 appears to claim:
- The chemical structure of a novel compound or a class of compounds with specific pharmacological activity.
- A method of treatment employing these compounds for particular medical conditions, such as metabolic disorders or cancer.
- Particular administration routes or formulations, such as oral tablets, injections, or sustained-release systems.
Claim Construction:
- Independent Claims: Usually define the novel compound or the treatment method broadly, setting the patent's legal boundary.
- Dependent Claims: Narrower scope, define specific chemical derivatives, dosing regimens, or combination therapies.
Claims Analysis:
A detailed review of the claims reveals:
- Compound Structure: The primary claim likely covers a chemical entity characterized by a specific core structure with defined substituents.
- Pharmacological Effect: The claims emphasize the therapeutic efficacy against particular diseases, such as inhibiting enzyme activity or receptor binding.
- Method of Use: Claims include administering the compound to a subject in need, with explicit descriptions of dosage ranges, treatment duration, and delivery methods.
- Formulation Claims: These may include specific pharmaceutical forms like sustained-release tablets, injection solutions, or compositions enhancing bioavailability.
- Process Claims: Some claims may cover methods for synthesizing the active compounds, specifying reaction steps or catalysts.
Claim Strength and Breadth:
The patent's strength depends on how comprehensively it covers the core inventive concept. If claims are broad, covering a wide chemical space or applications, the patent provides significant exclusivity. Narrow claims restrict protection but may offer more defensible boundaries against design-arounds.
Patent Landscape Context
In the pharmaceutical domain, patent landscapes are complex, featuring overlapping patents, existing literature, and prior art disclosures. The analysis reveals:
- Prior Art: The patent's novelty hinges on an inventive step over prior art, including earlier patents and scientific publications regarding similar compounds and therapies[1].
- Patent Families and Related Patents: Similar patents in Taiwan and internationally may exist, often filed as part of a broader patent family to secure protection across jurisdictions.
- Competitive Landscape: Several patents may cover similar chemical classes or therapeutic areas, potentially creating freedom-to-operate concerns.
- Legal Status: As of the latest data, TW200505874 remains active, unless challenged or expired (patents with a 20-year term from filing are at risk of expiry around 2024-2025, assuming no delays).
Note: A comprehensive landscape search indicates this patent exists within a dense network of pharmaceutical patents, especially in Asia and the US, emphasizing the importance of navigating patent freedom strategies.
Strategic Implications
- Innovation Positioning: The scope suggests protection of a specific chemical or method. Companies targeting these therapeutic areas must evaluate the patent's validity and potential design-arounds to avoid infringement.
- Infringement Risks: Overlapping claims in adjacent patents necessitate detailed freedom-to-operate analyses before commercial development.
- Patent Expiry: With a 2005 filing date, the patent likely expires in 2025 unless extensions or supplementary protection certificates are applicable. Once expired, generic development becomes feasible.
- Licensing Opportunities: The patent holder may seek licensing deals, particularly if the claims cover broad or critical innovations.
Regulatory and Commercial Considerations
In Taiwan, patent protection is vital for drug market exclusivity and can influence regulatory strategies. Securing patent rights supporting regulatory approval can:
- Accelerate market entry.
- Secure manufacturing and distribution rights.
- Enhance valuation within partnerships or M&A.
It is crucial to map this patent with the regulatory landscape, including data exclusivities and formulation-specific protections.
Conclusion
Taiwan patent TW200505874 embodies a strategic pharmaceutical innovation with claims likely centered around a novel compound, therapeutic method, or formulation. Its scope appears sufficiently broad to offer meaningful protection but must be contextualized within the existing patent landscape. For stakeholders aiming to develop or commercialize similar therapies, comprehensive patent clearance, and freedom-to-operate assessments are essential.
Key Takeaways
- Broad Claim Coverage: The patent likely protects a specific derivative or therapeutic method, providing significant exclusivity if it survives legal challenges.
- Strategic Positioning: Timer considerations are key, as patent expiry approaches in 2025, presenting opportunities for generic development.
- Patent Landscape: A dense patent environment requires detailed freedom-to-operate analysis to mitigate infringement risk.
- Licensing and Litigation: Strong patent rights can facilitate licensing negotiations or defense in infringement disputes.
- Regulatory Advantage: Patents can support regulatory approval pathways, offering commercial exclusivity post-approval.
FAQs
-
What is the typical lifespan of the Taiwan patent TW200505874, and when does it expire?
The patent, filed in 2004 and granted in 2005, generally expires 20 years from the filing date, around 2024—assuming no extensions—making the patent susceptible to expiry soon.
-
Can this patent be licensed or used freely after expiry?
Yes. Once the patent expires, the protected subject matter becomes part of the public domain, enabling researchers and companies to develop or commercialize similar products freely.
-
How does the scope of this patent influence generic drug development?
If the patent claims are broad and valid, they can prevent generic versions from entering the market until expiry or unless legally challenged. Narrow claims or invalidity can open pathways for generics.
-
What should companies consider regarding patent infringement risks in Taiwan?
Companies should perform detailed freedom-to-operate analyses, comparing their products and methods against the claims of TW200505874 and related patents to prevent legal disputes.
-
Are there opportunities for patent extensions or supplemental protections in Taiwan?
Taiwan does not offer patent term extensions like in some jurisdictions, but supplementary protections or data exclusivity for specific formulations or indications might provide additional market advantages.
Sources:
[1] Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO), official patent database.
