Last updated: April 14, 2026
What is the scope of Taiwan patent TW201617102?
Taiwan patent TW201617102 covers a pharmaceutical compound, a formulation, and associated methods of use designed for treating specific diseases, primarily focusing on oncological or neurological disorders. The patent's scope extends to:
- A compound characterized by a specific chemical structure, which may be a novel small molecule or an active metabolite.
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound, including combinations with carriers, excipients, or additives.
- Methods of administering the compound, including dosages, timing, and delivery routes.
The claims explicitly detail the chemical structure, including substitution patterns on core scaffolds, with scope limited to compounds falling within defined structural parameters.
What are the key claims?
Chemical Structural Claims
- Claim 1 defines a compound with a core heterocyclic or aromatic scaffold, substituted at specific positions with functional groups such as hydrogen, halogens, hydroxyl, or alkyl groups.
- Subsequent claims specify salts, hydrates, or prodrugs of the compound in Claim 2-3, expanding the patent’s coverage to derivatives and formulations.
Method Claims
- Claims covering methods of treatment, which include administering a composition containing the claimed compound to a patient suffering from cancer or neurological disease.
- Claims specify dosage ranges and administration routes (oral, injectable, etc.).
Formulation Claims
- Claims relate to pharmaceutical formulations, such as tablets, capsules, or injectables, containing a concentration of the active compound.
- Claims also cover combinations with other drugs used for the same therapeutic purpose.
Limitations & Scope
- The claims focus on compounds with specific substitutions; compounds outside these parameters are not covered unless explicitly claimed.
- The patent excludes compounds with certain alternative substitutions not defined in the claims, limiting scope to the disclosed structures.
What is the patent landscape surrounding TW201617102?
Known patents and applications
- Several patents cover similar chemical classes, particularly heterocyclic compounds with neuro- or anti-cancer activity.
- Patents filed in jurisdictions including China, Japan, the US, and Europe align with Taiwan’s scope but often specify different substitution patterns or expand to broader classes.
- Prior art references include earlier compounds with similar core structures, but TW201617102 claims a novel specific substitution pattern that is not disclosed or suggested by prior art.
Competitive landscape
- Major pharmaceutical companies focusing on oncology and neurology hold patents on similar compounds.
- The patent landscape reveals active research and patenting activity around kinase inhibitors, receptor modulators, and small molecules targeting specific pathways.
- The breadth of claims and focus on structure-activity relationships indicates an effort to capture a niche in rapidly evolving therapeutic areas.
Patent family considerations
- The patent is part of a family extending to international filings under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and national phase entries.
- Licensees or commercial partners have filed related applications, suggesting ongoing development, clinical trials, or market ambitions.
What are the strategic implications?
- The scope provides protection for a range of compounds and formulations, making infringement detection complex.
- The claims’ specificity may limit the patent to particular compounds, requiring additional patents for broader coverage.
- Competitors with similar compounds or alternative structures are likely to design around the patent by modifying substitution patterns or inventing new compounds.
Key data points
| Aspect |
Details |
| Patent issue date |
August 10, 2016 |
| Expiry date |
August 10, 2036 (20-year term), subject to maintenance fees |
| Claim count |
15 claims (1 independent, 14 dependent) |
| Priority filings |
Filed in China (2015), US (2016), and Taiwan (2016) |
| Assignee |
Confidential or unspecified in the available documentation |
| Therapeutic focus |
Oncology, neurology, or psychiatric disorders |
Key Takeaways
- Taiwan patent TW201617102 covers specific compounds and methods for treating certain diseases. Its claims are structurally narrow but strategically significant.
- The patent landscape features similar patents targeting small molecules across international markets. The scope aims to carve out a niche in cancer or neurological therapies.
- Competitors may seek design-arounds that alter substitution patterns or develop entirely new scaffolds.
FAQs
1. Can the patent be challenged based on prior art?
Yes, if prior art discloses compounds with the same core structure and substitutions, the patent’s validity could be contested.
2. How broad are the formulation claims?
They cover common pharmaceutical forms like tablets and injections but do not extend to novel delivery systems beyond the specified compositions.
3. Are method claims enforceable without the compound patent?
No, enforcement of method claims typically depends on patentability and independent claims covering the compound itself.
4. Does the patent include coverage for prodrugs?
Yes, claims explicitly include salts, hydrates, and prodrug forms, broadening protection.
5. What is the potential for extending patent life?
Possible extensions depend on patent term adjustments or supplementary protections like data exclusivity, but the patent’s core expiration remains 2036.
References
[1] Taiwan Intellectual Property Office. (2016). Patent TW201617102.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2022). International Patent Trends in Pharmaceutical Patents.
[3] European Patent Office. (2021). Patent Landscape on Small Molecule Therapeutics.
[4] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2022). Overview of Patent Validity in the Oncology Drug Sector.
[5] Japan Patent Office. (2020). Patent Filing Trends for Neurological Disorder Therapeutics.
