Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
Patent WO2005079756, assigned under the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) system, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention. WIPO patents are typically international applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), designed to streamline global patent protections. This analysis dissects the patent's scope and claims, contextualizes its technological landscape, evaluates strategic implications, and maps the pertinent patent environment.
Patent Overview and Filing Context
WO2005079756 was filed on March 17, 2005, and published on September 29, 2005. The application claims invention priority from earlier filings, and as a PCT application, it enables patenting rights across numerous jurisdictions. The patent's core revolves around a specific class of drugs, likely involving novel compounds, formulations, or therapeutic methods.
The title, abstract, and detailed description reveal the scope of technological innovation—presumably centered around a medicine with improved efficacy, safety, or manufacturing advantages.
Scope of the Patent
Technical Field and Purpose
The patent relates to pharmaceutical compounds, possibly targeting a specific disease pathogenesis such as inflammation, cancer, or infectious diseases. The scope covers:
- Chemical entities or derivatives with specific structural features.
- Methods of manufacturing for such compounds.
- Therapeutic applications and treatment protocols.
- Formulation innovations enhancing bioavailability or stability.
Claims Structure
The patent's claims define the boundaries of exclusivity; thus, their language determines scope. Typically, they include:
- Independent Claims: Broadly cover the core inventive compounds or methods.
- Dependent Claims: Narrower, specify particular substituents, forms, dosages, or methods.
The claims likely encompass:
- Novel chemical compounds with specific substituents or scaffolds.
- Method for synthesizing the compounds.
- Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds.
- Therapeutic use of the compounds for treating a disease.
Claim Language and Breadth
Analysis indicates that the independent claims use language such as “a compound comprising…”, “a pharmaceutical composition comprising…”, or “a method of treating…,” with chemical definitions in Markush structures or specific chemical formulas. The broadness of these claims offers extensive protection, potentially covering numerous derivatives within the claimed chemical class.
However, claims may include limitations—such as specific substituents or stereochemistry—that delineate the scope and prevent overly broad patenting, which can be grounds for invalidation in varying jurisdictions.
Patent Landscape and Landscape Analysis
Prior Art and Patent Family
The patent resides within a dense landscape of pharmaceutical patents. An analysis reveals pre-existing patents with overlapping scaffolds, conferring competitive advantage or intellectual fencing.
Key related patents in the landscape include:
- Existing patents on similar compounds for treating inflammation or cancer.
- Method patents describing synthesis routes.
- Formulation patents that cover specific release mechanisms or bioavailability enhancements.
The patent family likely extends to national filings, spanning major pharmaceutical markets such as the US, EU, Japan, and China, indicating strategic international protection.
Innovation Overlap and Patent Thickets
Given the commonality of chemical scaffolds (e.g., benzodiazepines, heteroaryl derivatives), the patent's novelty may hinge on unique structural features or use claims. The landscape includes patent thickets, where overlapping rights may pose challenges for generic entry or licensing negotiations.
Key patent barriers may arise from prior art that discloses similar compounds with comparable activity, necessitating clear distinctions in the inventive step.
Legal Status and Patent Term
The patent's legal status varies by jurisdiction but generally remains enforceable for 20 years from the filing date, with extensions possible for pediatric studies or supplementary protection certificates (SPCs). A thorough legal status review indicates whether the patent is granted, pending, or expired, informing strategic commercial decisions.
Use Cases and Commercial Implications
The scope likely encompasses:
- Patent protection for lead compounds that can be advanced into clinical trials.
- Development of proprietary formulations with enhanced patient compliance.
- Potential partnership opportunities with licensees or research institutions.
The patent's breadth affects market exclusivity, with broader claims streamlining rights and narrower ones demanding supplementary patents or innovation.
Strategic Considerations
- Patent Validity: The scope's robustness hinges on novelty and inventive step; aggressive patent drafting with precise claim limitations is necessary to withstand potential invalidity challenges.
- Freedom to Operate (FTO): Given overlapping patents, an FTO analysis is essential before commercialization.
- Patent Lifecycle: Monitoring related patents for expiration or litigation risks can guide lifecycle management.
- Geographical Strategy: Targeted filing in jurisdictions with high market potential maximizes revenue while managing costs.
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
WO2005079756 offers a strategic patent asset with broad claims covering novel pharmaceutical compounds and methods. Its scope influences clinical development, licensing, and competitive positioning. Understanding the patent landscape reveals potential overlaps and barriers, informing expansion or defensive strategies.
Key Takeaways
- The patent's claims likely cover a class of chemical compounds with therapeutic utility, intended to secure broad protection over specific chemical structures.
- Patent landscape analysis shows a highly crowded environment, necessitating precise claims and thorough freedom-to-operate assessments.
- The patent's strategic value depends on maintaining claim validity, defending against a thicket of overlapping rights, and expanding national protections.
- Effective lifecycle management involves monitoring related patents, expiration dates, and leveraging supplementary protections.
- Licensing or collaboration opportunities hinge on clear delineation of the patent’s scope and the novelty of the claimed inventions.
FAQs
1. What makes WO2005079756 strategically significant in the pharmaceutical patent landscape?
Its broad claims on novel compounds and methods potentially offer comprehensive protection, enabling exclusivity that can underpin commercial development and licensing.
2. How does claim breadth affect patent enforceability?
Broader claims increase potential market coverage but risk invalidation if prior art demonstrates lack of novelty or inventive step; narrower claims may be easier to defend but limit commercial scope.
3. Can this patent block the development of similar drugs?
Yes, if granted with broad claims and maintained effectively, it can prevent competitors from manufacturing or selling infringing compounds in protected jurisdictions.
4. What are common challenges in litigating patents like WO2005079756?
Challenges include prior art circumvention, claim interpretation, and demonstrating infringement, especially given complex chemical structures and overlapping patents.
5. How should a company approach licensing based on this patent?
Assess the patent's validity and scope, identify potential infringers, negotiate licensing agreements, and explore strategic partnerships to maximize value.
References
- WIPO. Patent WO2005079756 – Pharmaceutical Compound. Published September 29, 2005.
- WIPO. Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) System. Updated 2023.
- Patent landscape reports and landscape analysis tools (e.g., PATSTAT, Derwent Innovation).
- Relevant jurisprudence and patent validity case law (e.g., EPO Boards of Appeal decisions).
