Last updated: July 31, 2025
Introduction
Taiwan Patent TW201023857, titled "Method for producing a high purity chrysin extract and its application," pertains to the extraction and application of a purified form of chrysin—a flavonoid compound with recognized pharmacological properties. This patent exemplifies Taiwan’s strategic focus on securing intellectual property rights in the booming nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors, especially as natural compounds like flavonoids gain prominence for their therapeutic potential.
This analysis explores the scope and claims of TW201023857, considering its position within the patent landscape, the scope’s implications for industry stakeholders, and potential avenues for patent overlaps or freedom-to-operate assessments. The discussion emphasizes how this patent shapes innovation pathways in natural extract technologies and its relevance to related patents globally and locally.
Patent Overview and Context
TW201023857 was filed on 29 September 2010, granting a strategic patent that covers a specific method for producing highly purified chrysin extracts. The patent claims focus on the extraction process, purification steps, and potential applications, positioning it as a comprehensive method patent aimed at optimizing yield and purity levels—parameters critical to both nutraceutical and pharmaceutical markets.
Given the interest in flavonoids for their antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties, securing this patent aligns with regional priorities to develop proprietary processes that facilitate commercialization of bioactive compounds derived from natural sources, such as plants.
Scope of the Patent
Claims Structure and Focus
The core claims of TW201023857 revolve around:
- Extraction methodology: The patent claims a method involving solvent extraction under specific conditions that maximize chrysin yield.
- Purification process: It details a multi-stage purification process, highlighting particular chromatography techniques and conditions that isolate high-purity chrysin (above 95% purity).
- Product characteristics: The patent emphasizes the resulting chrysin extract's purity and bioactivity, emphasizing its suitability for therapeutic or supplement formulations.
- Application scope: While primarily focused on extraction, claims extend to the potential applications of the purified chrysin in pharmaceuticals and functional foods.
The claims are structured as method claims, with some dependent claims sharpening the process details (e.g., solvents used, temperature control, purification techniques). This approach ensures comprehensive coverage of the production process, providing strong protection against potential design-arounds.
Claim Strength and Limitations
The claims are broad enough to encompass various solvent combinations and purification strategies, yet specific enough to preclude obvious modifications. This balance enhances enforceability, reducing risk of invalidation due to prior art.
However, the scope may face limitations where similar extraction-purification techniques already exist—particularly if prior art documents disclose similar processes for flavonoid extraction. The patent's enforceability thus depends on its novelty and inventive step relative to existing methods.
Patent Landscape and Related IP
Global Context
The patent landscape concerning flavonoid extraction techniques, particularly chrysin, reveals several notable patents mainly filed in China, the United States, and Europe. For example:
- US Patent US20160028974A1 covers high-purity flavonoid extraction processes, including chrysin.
- CN patent CN102476087A relates to natural flavonoid extraction from plant sources using specific solvents and chromatography.
Compared to these, TW201023857 appears to emphasize a specific combination of extraction solvents, temperature, and chromatography conditions tailored to Taiwanese botanical sources, possibly conferring a regional advantage.
Regional Relevance in Taiwan
Within Taiwan, patents related to natural compound extraction are burgeoning, especially given governmental incentives focusing on traditional medicine and natural products. TW201023857 adds to this landscape by establishing proprietary extraction methods that can underpin local manufacturing, licensing, or R&D efforts.
Freedom-to-Operate and Competitive Positioning
Stakeholders planning to commercialize chrysin-based products in Taiwan or neighboring markets need to assess whether TW201023857’s claims overlap with existing patents. Given the tailored extraction and purification steps, the patent may pose barriers for generic processes or inspire inventive design-around strategies.
However, if competitors develop alternative methods—e.g., employing different solvents, extraction conditions, or new purification technologies—they could potentially avoid infringement. Continuous monitoring of patent filings in this space remains crucial.
Implications for Innovation and Commercialization
The scope of TW201023857 demonstrates a strategic move to protect proprietary extraction and purification processes, which are crucial for high-value natural products. Companies seeking to enter the Taiwanese nutraceutical or pharmaceutical markets must navigate this patent carefully, considering licensing opportunities or developing alternative technologies.
Furthermore, the patent underscores the importance of process-oriented patents in natural product industries, where product patenting alone often does not suffice due to prior art.
Conclusion
Taiwan patent TW201023857 encapsulates a technically specific, enforceable claim set that protects a unique extraction and purification method for high-purity chrysin. Its scope carefully balances breadth and enforceability, creating a barrier against imitators while inviting inventive alternatives.
The patent’s position within the broader patent landscape highlights Taiwan's strategic emphasis on natural product extraction innovation. Stakeholders must evaluate this patent’s scope in licensing, R&D, and new product development to ensure freedom to operate and to leverage the patent as a competitive tool.
Key Takeaways
- TW201023857 robustly claims a specific extraction and purification process for high-purity chrysin, essential for competitive advantage in related markets.
- The patent’s strategic scope effectively shields proprietary processes but requires ongoing monitoring due to similar emerging patents regionally and globally.
- Companies should assess their extraction methods against this patent to avoid infringement, considering alternative solvents or purification techniques.
- The patent landscape signals a focus on process innovation over product patenting in natural compounds, emphasizing process robustness.
- Licensing or collaborative development around this patent could facilitate market entry and technology advancement in Taiwan’s burgeoning nutraceutical sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does TW201023857 differ from other flavonoid extraction patents globally?
TW201023857 emphasizes specific solvent combinations, temperature controls, and chromatography conditions tailored to Taiwanese botanical sources, which may not be covered or explicitly detailed in other patents, providing regional strategic protection.
2. Can this patent be used to protect other flavonoids or is it exclusive to chrysin?
The claims specifically target high-purity chrysin extraction, so direct protection for other flavonoids requires separate patent claims. However, the methods outlined could potentially be adapted, possibly infringing if similar processes are used.
3. What are the main challenges in designing around TW201023857?
Developing alternative extraction solvents, different chromatography techniques, or novel purification steps that do not fall within the scope of the claims are key strategies to avoid infringement.
4. How important is patent protection like TW201023857 for companies in Taiwan?
Patent protection is crucial for safeguarding proprietary extraction processes, enabling licensing deals, and establishing market presence in the region’s competitive natural product industry.
5. What future developments might threaten the scope of TW201023857?
Innovations introducing substantially different extraction methodologies, such as supercritical fluid extraction or enzymatic methods, could bypass current claims, especially if they achieve similar purity and yield levels.
References
- Taiwan Patent TW201023857. Method for producing a high purity chrysin extract and its application.
- US Patent US20160028974A1. Methods for extracting flavonoids.
- CN Patent CN102476087A. Extraction method of natural flavonoids.
