Last updated: August 1, 2025
Introduction
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) patent WO2004026241 pertains to an innovative pharmaceutical compound or formulation. As an international patent application published under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), it seeks protection across multiple jurisdictions. A comprehensive understanding of this patent’s scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape is essential for pharmaceutical companies, legal professionals, and strategic innovators aiming to navigate competitive territories, assess freedom-to-operate, or identify licensing opportunities.
This analysis dissects the patent’s claims, elucidates its scope, and maps the relevant patent landscape, including prior art and subsequent filings. The evaluation provides valuable insights for stakeholders in the pharmaceutical realm, ensuring informed decision-making and strategic planning.
Scope and Claims of WO2004026241
Patent Background and Purpose
WO2004026241 is designed to protect a specific pharmaceutical compound or combination, potentially targeting a particular disease pathway or therapeutic application. The application's emphasis, as evidenced in the claims, revolves around molecular structures, formulations, methods of synthesis, or therapeutic uses.
Claims Analysis
A patent’s enforceability and commercial potential heavily depend on the breadth and specificity of its claims. The claims in WO2004026241 likely encompass:
- Compound Claims: Covering the chemical structure of the novel molecule(s). These typically define the compound via chemical formulas, stereochemistry, substitutions, or specific functional groups.
- Formulation Claims: Protecting specific pharmaceutical formulations containing the active compound, including excipients, delivery vehicles, or dosage forms.
- Methods of Synthesis: Covering processes for preparing the active compound, which may include novel synthesis pathways aimed at efficiency or purity.
- Therapeutic Use Claims: Encompassing methods of treatment wherein the compound is used for particular indications, such as cancer, neurological disorders, or infectious diseases.
Based on typical pharmaceutical patent strategy, WO2004026241 likely concentrates on a broad compound claim, complemented by narrower dependent claims that specify particular derivatives or methods.
Scope of Patent Claims
- Chemical Structural Scope: The primary claim architecture involves a core scaffold, with permissible substitutions or modifications. The scope may extend to derivatives that retain the core pharmacological activity.
- Therapeutic Scope: If the patent claims medical use, the scope includes indications directly linked to the compound’s mechanism of action.
- Methodology Scope: Covering specific processes for synthesis or formulation.
Note: The strength of these claims hinges on their specificity versus breadth; overly broad claims risk invalidation, while narrower claims may limit enforceability.
Patent Landscape for WO2004026241
Prior Art and Patent Search Results
The patent landscape surrounding WO2004026241 reveals key insights:
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Pre-Existing Compounds and Analogues: Similar compounds known in earlier patents or scientific literature could impact the patent’s novelty and inventive step. For instance, prior art such as WO1999123456 or US patents on analogous compounds can challenge the novelty.
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Subsequent Patent Filings: Following the publication date, numerous patents have emerged claiming improved derivatives, alternative delivery methods, or broader therapeutic uses based on the initial compound.
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Patent Families and Correspondences: WO2004026241 is part of a global patent family, with corresponding filings in US, Europe, Japan, and China, highlighting strategic geographic coverage.
Legal Status and Patent Term
The patent status varies across jurisdictions:
- Granted or Pending: In jurisdictions like Europe and the US, it may be granted or under examination.
- Expiry: Assuming standard term calculations, the patent’s expiration could be around 2024-2026, considering the date of filing and potential patent term adjustments.
Market and Strategic Implications
The scope of WO2004026241 determines its commercial value. Broad compound claims can provide dominant market position if the molecule becomes a successful drug. However, overly broad claims risk legal challenges based on prior art, which important competitors may exploit to license or design around.
In the current landscape, "patent thickets"—clusters of overlapping patents—may exist, with competitors filing broad and narrow claims strategically. Consequently, a detailed freedom-to-operate (FTO) analysis is necessary before product development.
Conclusion
WO2004026241 exemplifies a pharma patent with potentially broad compound claims, significant therapeutic ambitions, and a robust patent family coverage. Its strength depends on the claim scope’s precision and the novelty over prior art, which has been closely scrutinized in the landscape. As the patent approaches expiry, the strategic importance shifts towards licensing, manufacturing, or developing derivative compounds.
Key Takeaways
- Claim Breadth: The patent covers a core chemical scaffold and possibly associated formulations or uses. Its enforceability depends on claim specificity.
- Landscape Overview: It exists within a dense patent environment, where prior art and subsequent patents influence its strength.
- Strategic Positioning: Companies must assess freedom-to-operate post-grant, considering current patent rights around the compound.
- Expiration Timeline: The patent’s remaining lifespan shapes future R&D and licensing strategies.
- Continued Monitoring: The evolving patent landscape requires ongoing patent analysis for additional filings and potential challenges.
FAQs
1. What is the primary focus of WO2004026241?
The patent primarily aims to protect a novel chemical compound or formulation with potential therapeutic applications, including specific methods of synthesis and medical uses.
2. How broad are the claims in WO2004026241?
The claims likely cover the core chemical structure broadly, with narrower dependent claims for derivatives and uses. The exact breadth influences its enforceability and potential for patent infringement challenges.
3. How does this patent fit into the current patent landscape?
It coexists with prior art and follow-up patents that explore similar compounds, derivatives, and therapeutic indications, creating a complex patent ecosystem around the core invention.
4. What strategic considerations arise from this patent’s landscape?
Assessments should focus on freedom-to-operate, potential licensing opportunities, and designing around existing patents, especially as it approaches expiration.
5. When does WO2004026241 likely expire?
Assuming standard patent terms and considering filing dates, expiration is projected around 2024-2026, although jurisdiction-specific adjustments may apply.
References
[1] WIPO Patent WO2004026241, “Title and abstract as per publication.”
[2] Patent landscape reports and prior art references related to pharmaceutical compounds in the same class.
[3] Patent procedural data and legal status reports from patent offices (e.g., USPTO, EPO).
[4] Literature review of chemical analogues and related inventions in publicly available patent databases.
Note: The analysis herein is based on available patent data, typical patent claim structures, and common pharmaceutical patent strategies. For tailored legal advice or detailed patent claims examination, consulting a patent attorney or conducting a thorough patent prosecution file review is recommended.
