Last updated: August 1, 2025
Introduction
The WIPO patent application WO2004067489, titled "Method and system for targeting pharmaceutical compounds", reflects an innovative approach in the realm of drug development, particularly focusing on computational methods for drug discovery and targeted therapy. As a publication under the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), it exemplifies international patent strategy aimed at protecting novel pharmaceutical technologies. This report provides an in-depth analysis of its scope, claims, and the overall patent landscape, equipping stakeholders with insights into its legal standing, innovation breadth, and market relevance.
Scope of the Patent Application
1. Technical Field and Purpose
WO2004067489 centers on computational methods and systems to identify, evaluate, and target pharmaceutical compounds. The primary goal is to facilitate drug discovery by leveraging algorithms capable of predicting compound-target interactions, thereby streamlining the identification of candidate drugs with high specificity and efficacy.
2. Core Innovation Areas
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Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD): The application emphasizes a digital approach, employing software systems to analyze molecular interactions and biological targets.
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Predictive Modelling: A significant aspect involves predictive models that assess the binding affinity and selectivity of compounds for specific biological targets.
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Target Identification and Validation: The method proposes algorithms to systematically identify relevant biological targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Personalized Therapeutics: The scope implicitly addresses personalized medicine by tailoring compound targeting to individual molecular profiles.
3. Application Scope
The patent's methods are intended for use across a broad spectrum of pharmaceutical and biotech industries, covering small-molecule drugs, biologics, and possibly gene therapies, focusing on the computational prediction phase before experimental validation.
Claims Analysis
1. Overview of Claims
The patent document encompasses a series of claims designed to protect specific computational methods, systems, and algorithms devised for targeted drug discovery.
2. Key Claims
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Claim 1: A method for identifying a potential therapeutic compound comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a plurality of biological target data; (b) generating a predictive model correlating molecular features with biological activity; (c) applying the model to candidate compounds to generate predictions; and (d) selecting compounds predicted to have desirable binding properties.
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Claim 2: The method of claim 1, wherein the target data includes protein structures, gene expression profiles, or other molecular markers.
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Claim 3: The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising iteratively refining the predictive model based on experimental validation data.
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Claim 4: A system comprising hardware and software components configured to execute the method of any preceding claim.
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Claim 5: A computer-readable medium storing instructions that implement the method of claims 1-3.
3. Claim Construction and Scope
The claims predominantly focus on the combination of computational data acquisition, model generation, and application to drug screening processes. The scope covers both the algorithms and systems involved, effectively protecting the entire workflow of computational drug targeting.
The claims are broad enough to encompass various algorithms (e.g., machine learning, statistical models) and system architectures designed for pharmaceutical target prediction.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Related Patents and Prior Art
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The patent landscape around computational drug discovery in the early 2000s was burgeoning, with key players including pharmaceutical giants (e.g., Pfizer, Merck), biotech firms, and academic institutions.
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WO2004067489 likely intersects with prior art concerning structure-based drug design, QSAR (Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship) models, and virtual screening techniques.
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Notably, U.S. patents like US6549544 (methods for docking and virtual screening) and US6528900 (systems for biological target analysis) are relevant prior art, against which the novelty of WO2004067489 must be assessed.
2. Patentability and Novelty Analysis
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The novelty appears rooted in the specific algorithms for target prediction and the integration of data sources into a comprehensive computational framework.
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Its claims emphasize a modular, iterative approach to model refinement, representing an advance over earlier static methods.
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The patent also contains claims covering system architectures, signaling a holistic approach—covering both method steps and infrastructural components.
3. Existing Patent Clusters and Geographic Considerations
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Evaluating patent families across jurisdictions like the US, Europe (EPO), and China indicates a strategic patenting effort to protect the core methodology globally.
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Patent clustering shows alignment with other innovation efforts in computational pharmacology, such as target validation platforms.
Legal and Commercial Implications
1. Patent Validity Challenges
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Given the rapid evolution in computational biology, patent claims focusing on algorithms may face challenges related to patentable subject matter, especially concerning abstract idea exceptions.
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The scope's reliance on software and computational models could trigger patentability debates, particularly where claim language does not explicitly specify technical implementation.
2. Freedom-to-Operate Considerations
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Companies must analyze overlapping patents, especially prior art in virtual screening and target prediction, to assess potential infringement risks.
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Licensing opportunities or design-around strategies may be necessary if key claims are limited or contested.
3. Commercial Potential
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A broad, defensible patent protecting an integrated computational platform can yield significant licensing and collaboration opportunities, especially in personalized medicine and high-throughput drug discovery.
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The patent’s emphasis on iterative model refinement aligns with key industry trends toward adaptive, data-driven drug development pipelines.
Conclusion and Industry Outlook
WO2004067489 represents a strategic patent filing targeting the computational drug discovery niche. Its claims encapsulate a comprehensive workflow for predicting and validating therapeutic compounds, aligned with advances in bioinformatics and machine learning. As the pharmaceutical industry continues to embrace digital innovation, this patent’s scope provides a valuable IP asset that could underpin future drug discovery platforms.
The patent landscape emphasizes the importance of clear, innovative claims to safeguard novel computational methods. Emerging challenges include navigating patentability in a field rife with rapid technological advancements and ensuring freedom-to-operate in a complex, globally distributed patent environment.
Key Takeaways
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Broad Scope and Integration: WO2004067489 covers a holistic computational approach, integrating data collection, predictive modeling, and iterative refinement, suitable for various therapeutic targets and compounds.
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High Patentability Potential: The combination of algorithms, system architecture, and process workflows heightens its defensibility, provided claims are carefully crafted to highlight technical contributions.
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Navigating Prior Art: Validation of novelty hinges on differentiating from existing virtual screening methods and prior computational design patents.
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Strategic Positioning: The patent’s protections are vital for companies investing in AI-driven drug discovery, offering opportunities for licensing, partnerships, and market differentiation.
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Legal Vigilance: Developers should monitor patent validity challenges, especially concerning the patentability of algorithms and software in different jurisdictions.
FAQs
Q1: What is the core innovation of WO2004067489?
A1: Its core innovation lies in a comprehensive computational framework for drug target identification and compound prediction, integrating algorithms that analyze molecular and biological data within an iterative model refinement system.
Q2: How does the patent claim to address personalized medicine?
A2: By enabling prediction of compound-target interactions based on individual molecular profiles, facilitating tailored therapeutic strategies.
Q3: Are computational methods patentable, and what challenges might they face?
A3: While computational methods can be patented if they include a technical application and are implemented in hardware or with specific technical effects, challenges include legal rulings on abstract ideas and software patentability standards.
Q4: How does this patent compare with prior art in virtual screening?
A4: It broadens existing methods through an integrated, iterative approach, emphasizing system architecture and combined data analysis rather than solely focusing on isolated algorithms.
Q5: What is the strategic importance of such a patent for biotech firms?
A5: It protects proprietary drug discovery workflows, enabling firms to establish a competitive edge, license their technologies, and attract partnerships in the digital pharma space.
Sources:
[1] World Intellectual Property Organization, WO2004067489.
[2] Patent databases and prior art references on computational drug discovery techniques.
