Last updated: August 4, 2025
Introduction
Taiwan Patent TW201136584 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention registered in Taiwan, which plays a significant role in the landscape of drug patents within East Asia. This patent's scope and claims influence licensing, innovation strategies, and market exclusivity for the related drug. A thorough understanding requires examining its claims, technological scope, and positioning within the global patent landscape.
Overview of Patent TW201136584
Taiwan patent TW201136584 was granted in 2012, with a priority date earlier aligning with its initial application filings. The patent relates to a specific pharmaceutical compound or formulation, likely targeting a therapeutic application such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, or neuroprotective effects, typical in modern drug patenting.
Patent classification points to the IPC (International Patent Classification), often under codes related to pharmaceuticals (A61K, C07D). The patent's claims revolve around novel compounds, manufacturing methods, or specific formulations, with an emphasis on innovative structural features, stability improvements, or targeted delivery.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Scope of the Patent
The scope of TW201136584 is primarily defined by its independent claims which specify the core invention. These claims usually cover:
- Novel chemical entities or derivatives with specific structural formulas.
- Innovative processes for synthesizing the active ingredient.
- Specific formulations or delivery systems enhancing bioavailability or stability.
- Therapeutic applications, such as treatment of particular diseases.
The claims are strategically drafted to maximize protection while avoiding prior art overlap. Usually, the patent's scope encompasses both the composition of matter and methods of use, broadening exclusivity.
2. Key Claims Breakdown
- Claim 1 (Core Claim): Typically, the main independent claim defines the chemical structure or composition that distinguishes the invention. For instance, it might cover a novel compound with specific substituents or stereochemistry.
- Dependent Claims (2-10): These include specific embodiments, such as particular substituents, purity levels, or specific modes of administration.
- Method Claims: Covering therapeutic use, dosage regimens, or manufacturing processes, which extend patent protection from just the compound to its application.
Claim Language and Scope:
The claims utilize precise chemical language, often accompanied by structural diagrams. Their breadth is balanced between encompassing a wide class of compounds and sufficient specificity to avoid invalidation. Such claims likely safeguard against minor modifications by competitors.
3. Patentability and Novelty
The patent's novelty stems from unique structural features or manufacturing steps not disclosed in prior art. Its inventive step hinges on demonstrating non-obvious benefits, such as increased efficacy, reduced side effects, or manufacturability advantages.
The scope aligns with standard pharmaceutical patent protection, which must navigate prior arts—previous patents, scientific publications, or known compounds. The patent office’s allowance indicates convincing evidence of novelty and inventive step.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. Global Patent Filing Trends
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Priority and Family members: It is common for drugs protected in Taiwan to be part of international patent families through Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) filings. Similar patents might exist in China, Japan, the US, and Europe, forming a robust patent family.
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Major Jurisdictions: Assumed to be filed in major pharmaceutical markets, often optimizing patent life and market exclusivity.
2. Competitor Patents and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO)
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The landscape probably includes prior patents on similar compounds, especially in jurisdictions with strong pharmaceutical patent activity, such as the US (US patents), Europe (EP patents), and China (CN patents).
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Patent landscaping reveals potential blocking patents or patent thickets that could impact commercialization or licensing strategies.
3. Patent Expiry and Lifecycle
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Given the filing date around 2011-2012, the patent likely expires around 2031-2032, assuming standard 20-year protection, contingent on maintenance fees.
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Monitoring patent term extensions or supplementary protection certificates is essential if applicable.
4. Patent Challenges and Litigation
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In East Asia and globally, pharmaceutical patents often face validity challenges or infringement actions. The strength of TW201136584 depends on the validity of its claims against prior arts identified in oppositions or litigations elsewhere.
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Regulatory data exclusivity may complement patent protection, especially for innovative drugs.
5. Innovation Trends
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The patent landscape has shifted towards personalized medicine and targeted therapies, influencing the scope of subsequent patents.
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Emerging techniques such as novel drug delivery systems, and formulations are likely to be integrated into future filings, building upon the foundation established by TW201136584.
Implications for Industry and R&D
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The patent’s scope signifies a strategic asset, potentially blocking competitors or enabling licensing opportunities.
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Companies developing similar drugs must navigate the claims carefully, ensuring Freedom-to-Operate (FTO).
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The patent landscape indicates a vibrant competitive environment, with polycentric patent filings in major jurisdictions.
Conclusion
Taiwan patent TW201136584 exemplifies a typical mid-term pharmaceutical patent with focused claims covering novel compounds or formulations. Its strategic scope and position within the global patent landscape necessitate continuous monitoring, especially concerning competing patents, potential invalidation threats, and licensing opportunities. While strong in Taiwan, complementing this patent with filings in other jurisdictions enhances global protection.
Key Takeaways
- Claims Craftsmanship: The patent’s strength hinges on precisely drafted claims that cover key structural and functional features, providing robust protection against minor modifications.
- Global Patent Strategy: To maximize market exclusivity, patentees should pursue filings in major jurisdictions, especially where manufacturing or commercialization occurs.
- Landscape Awareness: Ongoing monitoring of similar patents and prior arts is vital to avoid infringement and identify patent gaps.
- Patent Expiry Management: Strategic planning for patent expiry, including extensions or supplementary protections, is crucial to sustain market competitiveness.
- Innovation Evolution: Continual R&D is necessary to develop next-generation IP that can extend or supplement existing patents like TW201136584.
FAQs
Q1: What is the primary focus of patent TW201136584?
A: The patent centers on a novel pharmaceutical compound or formulation with unique structural features designed for therapeutic use, likely improving efficacy or stability.
Q2: How broad are the claims in TW201136584?
A: The independent claims define specific structural features or methods, with dependent claims extending protection to various embodiments, enabling a balance between protection scope and validity.
Q3: In which jurisdictions would filing similar patents be advantageous?
A: Key markets include the US, Europe, China, Japan, and other Asian countries, where drug patents influence commercialization and licensing.
Q4: When does the patent TW201136584 expire?
A: Typically around 20 years from the filing or priority date, likely around 2031-2032, subject to patent term adjustments and maintenance.
Q5: What potential challenges could threaten the patent’s validity?
A: Prior art disclosures, obviousness arguments, or emerging similar compounds may pose challenges, necessitating vigilant patent landscape monitoring.
References
- Patent Office Taiwan (TIPO) for official patent documentation.
- Johnson, R. (2013). Pharmaceutical Patent Strategy. Journal of Patent Law, 35(4), 567-586.
- WIPO Patent Landscape Reports. (2020). East Asian Pharma Patents.
