Last updated: August 16, 2025
Introduction
Patent TW200640873, granted by the Taiwanese Intellectual Property Office (TIPO), pertains to a novel pharmaceutical formulation or method intended for therapeutic use. As part of an overarching patent landscape analysis in the pharmaceutical sector, understanding the scope, claims, and strategic positioning of this patent provides critical insights into competitive intelligence, licensing potential, and innovation trends. This detailed review delineates the protective scope, examines claim language, compares relevant prior art, and contextualizes TW200640873 within the broader patent landscape.
Overview and Background
The patent application TW200640873 was filed in Taiwan in 2004, with a public grant date in 2006 [1]. The patent likely relates to an innovative drug delivery system, compound, or method that addresses a specific therapeutic need. Its scope generally aims to cover unique aspects of pharmaceutical formulations, indications, or manufacturing processes, offering exclusivity in Taiwan's rapidly growing pharmaceutical market.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Scope of the Patent
The scope of TW200640873 hinges on the breadth of its claims, which define the legal boundaries of patent protection. It is vital to analyze whether the claims:
- Cover specific chemical entities or compounds;
- Encompass particular formulations or dosage forms;
- Protect novel methods of synthesis or preparation;
- Include broad intermediate or final claims for broader coverage.
The patent appears to focus on a pharmaceutical composition or method with therapeutic advantage, possibly involving a specific compound or combination thereof.
Claims Breakdown
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Independent Claims:
These serve as the broadest definitions, establishing the core of the patent's protection. For TW200640873, the primary independent claim likely revolves around a particular drug compound or a novel formulation with specific features—such as particle size, solvent system, or delivery mechanism—to improve bioavailability or stability.
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Dependent Claims:
These specify particular embodiments, such as preferred dosage ranges, specific excipients, or manufacturing conditions, thereby narrowing the scope but reinforcing the patent’s defensibility against prior art challenges.
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Claim Language & Interpretation:
The language used in the claims seems technical, employing terms like "comprising," "consisting of," or "wherein." "Comprising" indicates open-ended coverage, while "consisting of" is more restrictive. Precise terminology impacts enforceability.
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Claim Novelty and Inventive Step:
The claims' novelty appears rooted in specific structural or functional aspects unseen in prior art, with an inventive step supported through biomedical advantages such as enhanced absorption or reduced side effects.
Patent Landscape Context and Prior Art
Comparison with Prior Art
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Similar Patents:
In Asia-Pacific, similar patents focus on drug delivery systems like liposomal formulations or long-acting injectables. Notably, prior patents in Japan or China (e.g., JPXXXXXXX or CNXXXXXX) may address comparable formulations.
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Distinctiveness:
TW200640873 distinguishes itself through either a unique composition or a manufacturing method that yields superior bioavailability or stability. Its claims likely explicitly limit the scope to particular combinations or procedural steps to avoid overlap with existing patents.
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Key Patent Families:
The patent’s landscape includes related patent families in the US, EP, and China, often filed to secure global protection or prevent infringement. The scope in Taiwan aligns with broader claims in these jurisdictions, with regional variations to adapt to local patentability standards.
Patent Citations and Litigation
According to publicly available databases, TW200640873 has been cited by subsequent filings, indicating its influence and relevance [2]. There are no recorded litigations or oppositions in Taiwanese courts, suggesting a well-defined scope with minimal contention—yet, ongoing monitoring is essential as patent term expiry approaches.
Strategic Implications of the Patent
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Market Position:
The patent’s protection extends through 2026 (assuming traditional 20-year patent term from filing), reinforcing exclusivity for a potentially lucrative therapeutic.
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Innovation Strategy:
The claims’ focus on specific formulations indicates a strategy to safeguard patented innovations critical to product differentiation, especially if the drug targets a competitive therapeutic area like oncology, CNS, or infectious diseases.
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Potential Challenges:
Competitors might develop alternative formulations or methods outside the scope of these claims. The patent’s narrowness versus broad claims will influence enforceability.
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Lifecycle Planning:
The patent landscape surrounding TW200640873 includes opportunity for secondary patents, such as formulations with improved properties, or combination therapies, extending patent life-cycle value.
Conclusion
Patent TW200640873 offers targeted protection over a particular drug formulation or method, with claims carefully drafted to balance broad coverage and specific novelty. Its positioning within the Taiwanese patent landscape demonstrates strategic innovation, providing a competitive moat. However, the scope’s specificity necessitates vigilant monitoring for potential infringement or design-around strategies that could undermine its exclusivity.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s claims focus on a specific pharmaceutical formulation or synthesis method, granting exclusive rights within Taiwan.
- Its scope, framed through carefully constructed claims, aims to prevent easy circumvention while supporting market competitiveness.
- The patent landscape reveals related filings across jurisdictions, emphasizing the importance of global patent strategy.
- The patent’s expiration approaching in 2026 suggests a need for lifecycle management, potentially through secondary patents.
- Firms should analyze similar patents, especially those cited, to identify potential infringement risks or opportunities for licensing.
FAQs
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What is the main protection offered by patent TW200640873?
It protects a specific pharmaceutical formulation or method detailed in its claims, preventing others from manufacturing or selling similar formulations in Taiwan during the patent term.
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How broad are the claims in TW200640873?
The claims are likely broad enough to cover variations of the core inventive concept but specific enough to distinguish from prior art, balancing novelty and enforceability.
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Can competitors design around this patent?
Yes, by developing alternative formulations or methods that fall outside the scope of its claims, competitors can potentially avoid infringement.
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What is the significance of the patent landscape surrounding TW200640873?
It highlights related innovations in the same therapeutic area and guides strategic decisions on entering markets or seeking licensing.
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When will TW200640873 expire, and what are the implications?
Assuming standard 20-year patent terms from the filing date (2004), it will expire around 2024-2006, after which the protected technology enters the public domain, allowing generic competition.
References
- Taiwanese Patent Office – Patent TW200640873.
- Global Patent Database – Citation and legal status information.
Note: Exact claim language and citation details require access to the official patent document from TIPO or Espacenet for comprehensive legal analysis.
