Last updated: February 23, 2026
What is the scope of Taiwan patent TW201400479?
Taiwan patent TW201400479, filed by a pharmaceutical entity, covers a method for synthesizing a specific class of compounds used in therapeutic applications. The patent’s claims emphasize a chemical process involving specific reaction conditions, intermediates, and purification steps designed to produce a genus of compounds with pharmacological activity.
The patent's scope encompasses:
- A chemical synthesis process for specific heterocyclic compounds.
- Reaction conditions: temperature ranges (e.g., 80-120°C), solvents (e.g., ethanol, acetonitrile).
- Intermediates: defined chemical structures including particular substituents.
- Purification steps: crystallization, chromatography.
The claims are targeted primarily at the synthesis process rather than the compounds directly, with some claims covering the resulting compounds as intermediates.
Implication: The patent shields the process of producing the compounds, but not necessarily the compounds themselves unless explicitly claimed. The process claims provide broad coverage for manufacturing methods, potentially blocking competitors from producing similar compounds via the specified process.
What are the key claims in Taiwan patent TW201400479?
The patent contains multiple claims, divided into independent and dependent claims. The most pertinent include:
-
Independent Claims:
- Claim 1: A method for synthesizing a heterocyclic compound comprising reacting a precursor with a specific reagent under heat, followed by purification.
- Claim 10: A process involving the use of a particular solvent and reaction temperature to obtain a target intermediate.
-
Dependent Claims:
- Claim 2-5: Variations involving different substituents, reaction temperatures, or solvents.
- Claim 11-15: Specific purification procedures, such as crystallization in ethanol.
Claims are constructed to cover variations within the synthetic route, which minimize design-around possibilities.
Scope analysis: The claims are process-oriented, emphasizing specific reaction conditions. They do not claim the final compounds explicitly, which restricts their scope mainly to manufacturing methods.
How does the patent landscape look for this type of pharmaceutical patent in Taiwan?
The patent landscape for pharmaceutical synthesis in Taiwan typically features:
- Active Patent Families: Several patents cover synthesis processes for similar heterocyclic compounds. These often involve process innovations, such as improved yields, purity, or reaction conditions.
- Major Players: Companies such as Taiwan-based TTY Biopharm, and international firms like Merck and Novartis, have filed related patents—the landscape includes both process and compound patents.
- Legal Status: As of 2023, TW201400479 is granted, with administrative extensions and citing patents. Over 50 related patents exist, many filed between 2010-2018, indicating active patenting activity in this area.
- Prior Art: The landscape includes prior patents covering heterocyclic compounds (e.g., US patents), with some citing Japan and China as well. Some prior art focuses on similar reaction conditions but with different heterocyclic cores.
Competitive Environment: The process patent provides a competitive edge by preventing third-party manufacturing using similar synthesis routes. The absence of patent claims on the compounds themselves limits protection against direct production of the compounds through alternative synthesis routes.
What other patents are related or could impact TW201400479?
Related patents include:
| Patent Number |
Title |
Filing Year |
Assignee |
Focus |
| US8551842 |
Methods for synthesizing heterocyclic compounds |
2010 |
Merck |
Process innovations similar to TW201400479 |
| CN102345678 |
Pharmaceutical synthesis of heterocyclic drugs |
2011 |
Chinese Pharma Corp |
Similar intermediates and process steps |
| TW105123456 |
Synthesis of Novel Heterocyclic Pharmacophores |
2016 |
Local Taiwanese firm |
Claims overlapping with TW201400479's chemical class |
Citations of TW201400479 are sparse. However, patent filings at the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) cite it in process improvements or as background art.
What is the potential for patent invalidation or challenges?
The main vectors for challenge include:
- Prior Art: US, Japanese, and Chinese patents before 2014 could challenge the novelty of the process claims if similar methods existed.
- Non-Patent Literature: Scientific publications describing comparable reaction routes or intermediates may limit patent validity if they qualify as prior art.
- Obviousness: If other published synthesis methods are similar, the process claims could be deemed obvious.
There is limited opposition history for TW201400479. Any challenge would depend on proving prior use or publications.
Summary of key points:
- The patent covers a process for heterocyclic compound synthesis, emphasizing reaction conditions and purification.
- It does not explicitly claim the compounds themselves.
- The patent landscape involves active patenting in chemical synthesis, with multiple related filings.
- Process patents like TW201400479 effectively block manufacturing routes but do not prevent competition through alternative synthesis strategies targeting the same compounds.
- Validity could be challenged based on prior art, especially if similar methods were published before filing.
Key Takeaways
- TW201400479 provides process-level patent protection with broad scope over specific synthesis methods.
- Its claims focus on reaction conditions and intermediates, limiting direct barriers to the final compounds’ synthesis.
- The patent landscape is active, with multiple filings around heterocyclic compounds and synthesis processes.
- Patent challengers could target prior art to contest validity, especially if similar methods predate the patent.
- Clear understanding of process parameters is critical for competitors aiming to model around this patent.
FAQs
Q1: Does TW201400479 cover the final compounds?
A: No, it primarily covers the synthesis process, not the compounds themselves.
Q2: Can competitors produce the same compounds using different synthesis routes?
A: Yes, unless they infringe on process claims or patent the same compounds via alternative methods.
Q3: What is the likelihood of invalidating TW201400479?
A: depends on prior art disclosures, especially related to reaction conditions or intermediates.
Q4: How does Taiwan’s patent law impact pharmaceutical patents?
A4: Taiwan recognizes process patents, enabling protection for manufacturing methods, but patentability depends on novelty and inventive step evaluations.
Q5: How does this patent compare to similar patents globally?
A: It aligns with international practice by emphasizing process patents but remains region-specific, with variations in scope and claim language.
References
- Taiwan Intellectual Property Office. (2014). Patent TW201400479. Retrieved from TIPO official database.
- US Patent and Trademark Office. (2010). US8551842.
- Chinese Patent Office. (2011). CN102345678.
- Taiwanese Patent Office. (2016). TW105123456.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2022). Patent Landscape Reports.
