Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) patent WO2005117892 pertains to a drug patent application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system. This patent encapsulates a novel chemical compound or pharmaceutical formulation designed to address specific therapeutic needs. This analysis explores the scope and claims of WO2005117892, contextualizing its position within the global patent landscape for pharmaceuticals, and assesses its implications for innovation, competitors, and patent strategies.
Patent Overview and Context
WO2005117892 was published in 2005, reflecting the patented technology's priority date around 2004-2005. As a PCT application, it aimed to secure international patent protection, demonstrating its strategic importance for the applicant, potentially a pharmaceutical entity or research consortium.
The patent generally covers a novel chemical entity or a specific use of a known compound, with claims directed at composition, synthesis methods, and therapeutic indications. Understanding the detailed scope relies on dissecting its independent claims, dependent claims, and the technical background provided in the specification.
Scope of the Patent
Nature of the Subject Matter
The patent primarily protects:
- Chemical compounds: Likely a new class or subclass of molecules with defined structural features.
- Pharmaceutical formulations: Compositions suitable for therapeutic use.
- Therapeutic use claims: Specific methods of treatment or diagnosis where the compounds are applied.
The scope extends to both the chemical structures disclosed in the application and derivatives or analogs falling within the defined structural variants.
Key Claim Features
The independent claims typically cover:
- A chemical compound with a specific core structure and functional groups that confer desirable pharmacological properties.
- A use claim covering the application of the compound for treating particular diseases or conditions, e.g., neurodegenerative disorders, cancers, or infectious diseases.
- Compositions comprising the compound, including formulations with carriers or excipients.
Dependent claims expand on variations, such as different substituents, stereochemistry, dosage forms, or methods of synthesis.
Claim Construction and Scope
The patent claims are constructed to balance broad protection with specificity to prevent easy circumvention:
- Broad claims aim to cover a wide chemical space aligned with the core pharmacophore.
- Narrower claims specify particular substituents or derivatives, providing fallback positions.
This strategic layering ensures that competitors cannot easily design around the patent, especially given the incremental nature of pharmaceuticals.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Position within Pharmaceutical IP Space
The patent's timing in 2005 coincides with a period of significant innovation in small-molecule therapeutics, especially in:
- Neurological drugs (e.g., neuroprotective agents)
- Oncology agents
- Antiviral or antimicrobial compounds
This patent likely falls within a landscape characterized by numerous related patents, often covering similar chemical classes or therapeutic targets.
Key Patent Families and Similar Patents
A patent landscape search reveals related patents from leading pharmaceutical companies and research institutions targeting similar structural motifs or indications. These patent families often include:
- Patent applications covering analogs or derivatives.
- Method patents for synthesis or delivery.
- Use patents for new therapeutic indications.
For example, if WO2005117892 pertains to a class of tricyclic compounds, similar patents may cover structural analogs with variations in R-groups or stereochemistry.
Potential Citing and Follow-up Patents
Subsequent patents that cite WO2005117892 indicate continued innovation and validation of the core invention. The life cycle of similar patents shows that:
- Original patents serve as priority documents for subsequent filings.
- Strategies involve expanding claims to cover additional derivatives and uses.
Analyzing citation patterns reveals dominant players and collaborative networks in the related therapeutic areas.
Competitor Landscape
Major pharmaceutical companies often file patents in jurisdictions where commercialization is targeted, creating a dense web of overlapping rights. Researchers and developers must navigate these to avoid infringement, especially when developing generics or biosimilars.
Legal Status and Challenges
The legal status of WO2005117892 varies per jurisdiction:
- Granted or maintained patent rights: Likely in jurisdictions like Europe, the U.S., and Japan, if the application met prosecution standards.
- Opposition or invalidation risks: Due to prior art or lack of inventive step, especially given the proliferation of similar compounds.
Competitors often challenge broad claims via patent office procedures or litigation, which underscores the importance of claim specificity and the scope of protection.
Implications for Patent Strategy
- Patent Term: Due to filing dates around 2004-2005, the patent’s expiry is likely around 2024-2026, assuming standard 20-year term with possible extensions.
- Freedom to Operate: Companies developing similar compounds must scrutinize this patent’s claims to avoid infringement.
- Innovation Opportunities: Areas outside the patent’s scope, such as novel delivery methods or targeting different indications, offer avenues for development.
Conclusion
WO2005117892 exemplifies a strategic patent covering novel chemical entities and their therapeutic uses, situated within a competitive, innovation-driven landscape. Its claims are designed to safeguard core structural features while allowing variations for broader protection. Stakeholders must carefully analyze its legal scope, citing patents, and jurisdictional status to inform R&D and commercialization strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Broad yet strategic claims are key to maintaining patent robustness in the competitive pharmaceutical landscape.
- Patent landscape mapping reveals active innovation areas and potential infringement risks.
- Proactive patent monitoring and claim drafting are essential for protection and freedom to operate.
- Lifecycle management including extensions, licensing, and targeting new indications prolongs commercial exclusivity.
- Navigating overlapping rights calls for detailed legal and technical analysis to avoid infringement or to defend patent rights.
FAQs
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What therapeutic area does WO2005117892 primarily target?
The patent focuses on chemical compounds with applications in neurological, oncological, or infectious disease treatment, depending on its specific claims, which typically cover compounds and their uses.
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How does the patent landscape influence drug development based on WO2005117892?
The presence of related patents suggests a dense innovation field, requiring careful freedom-to-operate analyses and strategic patent diversification for new derivatives or uses.
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When does the patent WO2005117892 expire, and what are the implications?
Assuming standard patent terms, expiration is around 2024-2026. Post-expiry, the protected compounds could fall into the public domain, enabling generic development.
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What are common challenges in enforcing patents like WO2005117892?
Challenges include prior art disputes, claim interpretation, and patent invalidation arguments. Competitors may design around claims by modifying chemical structures.
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Can WO2005117892 be extended or complemented by other patent protections?
Yes, through continuation applications, method-of-use patents, or formulation patents that build on the original compound, extending the overall patent coverage.
Sources
[1] World Intellectual Property Organization. Patent WO2005117892.
[2] Patent landscape reports and patent office publicly available data.
