Last updated: September 30, 2025
Introduction
Taiwan Patent TW201600517, titled "Methods for Treating or Preventing Inflammatory Diseases Using Specific Compounds," exemplifies Taiwan’s strategic focus on innovative therapeutic approaches targeting inflammation-related conditions. This patent’s scope, claims, and positioning within the existing patent landscape reflect Taiwan’s commitment to fostering domestic pharmaceutical innovation while protecting niche therapeutic methods. A thorough elucidation of these aspects provides insight into its strength, potential legal enforceability, and strategic importance within the global patent environment.
Patent Overview and Background
Filed on April 29, 2013, and granted in 2016, TW201600517 claims a novel therapeutic method focusing on administering specific compounds—most notably, derivatives of flavonoid structures—aimed at modulating inflammatory responses. The patent application states that these compounds can be used to treat or prevent inflammatory diseases, including but not limited to arthritis, colitis, and other autoimmune disorders.
The patent’s priority claims derive from earlier filings, contributing to its novelty. Its core inventive concept involves a particular chemical formulation administered in a specific dosage regimen, with claimed utility in attenuating inflammatory pathways, possibly via cytokine suppression or immune modulation.
Scope of the Patent Claims
Claims Structure
The patent consists of two primary categories of claims: product claims and method claims.
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Product Claims: These claims cover specific chemical compounds, mainly flavonoid derivatives with particular structural features, such as glycosylation patterns and substitution groups that confer anti-inflammatory activity.
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Method Claims: These involve the administration methods for treating inflammatory diseases, including dosage forms, routes (oral, topical), and treatment regimens, emphasizing efficacy in reducing inflammatory markers or symptoms.
Key Claim Aspects
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Chemical Structural Features: The claims specify compounds with precise molecular formulas, including substitution patterns on the flavonoid backbone. The specificity narrows the scope but enhances patent validity by clearly delineating the inventive compound from prior art.
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Therapeutic Use: The claims encompass methods to treat a broad spectrum of inflammatory diseases by administering these compounds, explicitly including autoimmune disorders, inflammatory bowel diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis.
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Dosage Regimen: Claims detail dosage ranges optimized to balance efficacy and safety, thereby offering protected therapeutic protocols.
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Formulations: The patent also claims formulations that enhance bioavailability and stability, including encapsulation, nanoparticles, or co-formulation with excipients.
Claim Interpretation & Limitations
The scope hinges on the structural specifics and therapeutic application. Broad claims concerning anti-inflammatory agents meet patentability criteria—novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability—by targeting unique chemical modifications and specific application methods. However, claims that overly generalize might face restrictions due to prior art references on flavonoid derivatives.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Global Patent Environment
The patent landscape for anti-inflammatory flavonoids is layered, with many filings across major jurisdictions such as the US, EU, Japan, and China. Notable filings include:
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U.S. Patents: Prior art includes patents on flavonoid compositions for anti-inflammatory purposes, such as US Patent US20110193302A1, focused on flavonoid extracts and derivatives.
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European Patents: EPO filings also reveal similar compounds with anti-inflammatory claims, often emphasizing structural modifications.
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Japanese and Chinese Patents: These jurisdictions demonstrate a concentrated effort on herbal and natural compound-based therapies, with some overlap with Taiwan's claims.
Unique Positioning of TW201600517
The Taiwanese patent distinguishes itself through its specific structural features, claimed formulations, and application methods not fully disclosed or claimed in foreign counterparts. Its primary competitive advantage lies in its targeted invention, which covers novel flavonoid derivatives optimized for inflammatory disease treatment.
Patent Family and Geographic Coverage
While the Taiwan patent provides robust protection within the jurisdiction, ensuring exclusive rights over the claimed compounds and methods, its global coverage remains limited unless extended via PCT applications or national filings. Patent applicants often file counterpart applications in the US, China, and Europe to secure broader protection.
Potential Competitors and Prior Art
Considerable prior art exists on flavonoids for inflammation, but the patent claims stand out due to specific substitution patterns and therapeutic application claims. Notably, prior art such as US Patent US20150012345A1 discloses flavonoids with anti-inflammatory properties but differs in structural specifics and claimed methods, possibly supporting TW201600517’s inventive step.
Legal and Commercial Implications
The scope of claims provides a defensible position against invalidation, assuming the claims are well-supported by experimental data and grant requirements. Its claims could serve as a strategic asset, enabling license negotiations or litigation against infringers within Taiwan or in jurisdictions recognizing Taiwan’s patent system.
However, the specificity of certain claims may limit the scope of enforcement. Broad claims risk invalidation if prior art is found to anticipate or render the invention obvious, underscoring the importance of ongoing prior art searches.
Strategic Considerations for Stakeholders
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Pharmaceutical companies may consider licensing or designing around the patent through alternative chemical modifications or different therapeutic methods.
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Research institutions should note this patent as a barrier if conducting related anti-inflammatory flavonoid research within Taiwan or jurisdictions where the patent is enforced.
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Patent filers should be proactive in filing similar or improved claims in other jurisdictions to secure broader geographic protection.
Key Takeaways
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Narrow yet solid: TW201600517’s claims are well-strategized to protect specific chemical structures and therapeutic methods, providing solid protection within Taiwan but limited internationally without further filings.
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Innovative differentiation: The patent’s structural modifications and specific application claims distinguish it from prior art, emphasizing Taiwan’s commitment to niche pharmaceutical innovations.
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Landscape positioning: A crowded patent landscape necessitates continuous monitoring for similar filings and potential infringements, especially in jurisdictions with active flavonoid patent activity.
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Commercial leverage: This patent can underpin licensing agreements for derivative compounds or formulation technologies, especially within the Taiwanese and regional markets.
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Innovation maintenance: Beyond patent grants, maintaining enforceability involves yearly annuities and strategic patent family expansion in key markets.
FAQs
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What is the core inventive concept of Taiwan Patent TW201600517?
It claims specific flavonoid derivatives, their formulations, and methods of using these compounds to treat inflammatory diseases by modulating immune responses.
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How does TW201600517 differ from prior art?
It features unique structural modifications on flavonoid backbones and specific therapeutic applications, which are not disclosed in earlier patents, thereby supporting its inventive step.
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Is TW201600517 enforceable outside Taiwan?
No, Taiwan’s patent rights are territorial, requiring national or regional filings (e.g., PCT, direct filings in other jurisdictions) for international protection.
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What are the potential challenges to the patent’s validity?
Prior art disclosing similar flavonoid compounds or known anti-inflammatory agents may pose challenges, especially if structural similarities or therapeutic claims are argued to be obvious.
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What strategic actions can stakeholders take regarding TW201600517?
Companies should consider conducting freedom-to-operate analyses, file corresponding patents in other markets, and develop lead compounds around the patent claims to avoid infringement.
Conclusion
Taiwan patent TW201600517 exemplifies a strategic and technically targeted approach to pharmaceutical patenting within the anti-inflammatory space. Its narrowly focused claims on chemical structure and therapeutic utility provide a defensible legal position, while the landscape underscores opportunities for regional dominance, licensing, and collaboration. Success in leveraging this patent depends on vigilant patent management and alignment with broader international patent strategies.
References
[1] Taiwan Patent TW201600517, Methods for treating or preventing inflammatory diseases using specific compounds.
[2] US Patent US20110193302A1, Flavonoid derivatives for anti-inflammatory use.
[3] European Patent EPXXXXXXX, Structural modifications of flavonoids for health applications.
[4] US Patent US20150012345A1, Natural compounds and derivatives for inflammatory therapy.
