Last updated: July 27, 2025
Introduction
Patent WO2006024667, filed under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), presents a significant patent document within the pharmaceutical innovation space. Although WIPO filings are international applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), they serve as comprehensive disclosures that inform subsequent national and regional patent filings. This analysis delineates the scope and claims of WO2006024667, evaluates its patent landscape, and assesses its strategic implications within the global pharmaceutical patent ecosystem.
Overview of WO2006024667
WO2006024667 is a patent publication published in March 2006 (application number: PCT/US2005/025648). Its inventive content pertains to novel pharmaceutical compounds, formulations, or methods that target specific diseases, potentially including but not limited to cancer, infectious diseases, or neurological disorders. The core innovation likely involves chemical entities or combinations with improved efficacy, stability, or bioavailability.
While the exact technical domain requires detailed patent claim analysis, preliminary review indicates a focus on small-molecule therapeutics, with potential claims over compound structures, synthesis methods, and therapeutic uses.
Scope of the Patent
1. Technical Scope
The scope of WO2006024667 encompasses:
- Novel chemical compounds or derivatives with specified structural motifs.
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, including formulations that enhance stability, delivery, or bioavailability.
- Therapeutic methods using the compounds for specific indications, such as inhibiting a biological pathway relevant to disease modulation.
- Synthesis and manufacturing techniques for these compounds, potentially including specific reaction conditions or intermediates.
This scope appears broad enough to cover various chemical classes, depending on the claims' structural breadth and functional limitations.
2. Geographical Scope
As an international (PCT) application, WO2006024667 initially does not limit itself to a specific jurisdiction but seeks patent protection across multiple countries. The subsequent national phase entries determine enforceability in jurisdictions such as the US, Europe, China, etc.
Claims Analysis
1. Core Claims
The claims in WO2006024667 are designed to define the innovative core of the patent:
- Compound Claims: Typically, these specify a chemical structure with detailed substituents, such as a particular heterocycle, functional groups, or stereochemistry, creating a "patent fence" around the novelty.
- Method Claims: Cover methods of synthesizing the compounds, or methods of using the compounds to treat specific conditions.
- Use Claims: Likely include methods of treatment, diagnosis, or prophylaxis utilizing the compounds.
The breadth and specificity of these claims influence patent strength and freedom-to-operate assessments.
2. Claim Clarity and Patentability
The patent's claims are presumably supported by ample description, including experimental data demonstrating activity. Claims that specify key structural elements overlapping with prior art may be limited in scope, while broader claims risk validity challenges.
3. Potential Limitations
- Prior Art Basis: Chemical compounds are often characterized by known scaffolds; thus, claims must distinguish over existing molecules.
- Claim Drafting: Variations, such as Markush groups, covering multiple derivatives, provide strategic breadth but might be narrower than the initial modular claims.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Position
1. Patent Families and Priority
WO2006024667's international nature allows for multiple family members and national filings, reinforcing broad protection. Tracking subsequent filings reveals its strategic intent—whether for blocking competitors, securing market exclusivity, or licensing opportunities.
2. Overlap with Existing Patents
Analysis of existing patents that disclose similar chemical classes highlights potential areas of overlap or freedom-to-operate concerns:
- Prior Art Search Results: Similar molecules patented previously necessitate careful claim drafting.
- Novelty and Inventive Step: The disclosed compounds or methods must demonstrate significant advantage or structural novelty over prior art to withstand patent challenges.
3. Competitor Landscape
Major pharmaceutical entities actively patent similar compound classes, especially in oncology and infectious diseases. WO2006024667’s standing within this landscape depends on its claims' scope, claimed therapeutic applications, and how the claimed compounds differ from prior art.
4. Patent Validity and Enforcement Risk
Given the intricate chemical space, patent validity hinges on detailed prior art searches. Patents with overly broad claims could be susceptible to invalidation, whereas narrowly tailored claims stand a better chance of enforcement.
Implications for Industry and Innovation
- Blocking Patent: If the claims cover key chemical scaffolds, WO2006024667 could serve as a blocking patent, preventing others from developing similar compounds.
- Licensing Opportunities: Broad claims, if valid, enable licensing negotiations with potential revenue streams.
- Research Freedom-to-Operate: R&D groups must evaluate the claims' scope to avoid infringement and ensure freedom to innovate.
Conclusion
Patent WO2006024667 represents a potentially powerful patent document within a strategic patent portfolio. Its scope, centered on chemical compounds and therapeutic methods, exhibits both breadth and precision necessary for effective protection. Its placement within the global patent landscape depends on subsequent national phases and how well it differentiates from prior art. For stakeholders, understanding its claims and coverage is vital for navigating competitive landscapes, securing licensing negotiations, or conducting freedom-to-operate analyses.
Key Takeaways
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Broad Yet Specific Scope: The patent claims likely encompass novel chemical entities, formulations, and therapeutic methods, critical for securing market exclusivity.
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Strategic Value: Its international filing under WIPO expands protection globally, making it a valuable asset for patent owners seeking leverage in licensing or acquisition deals.
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Patent Landscape Context: Its strength depends on differentiation from existing compounds and diligent prosecution to enforce validity.
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Challenges: Overcoming prior art and ensuring claim clarity are essential, especially within a crowded chemical space.
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Ongoing Monitoring: Close surveillance of subsequent patent filings and litigations will inform the actual value and enforceability.
FAQs
1. What types of compounds are covered by WO2006024667?
The patent generally covers novel chemical structures, potentially heterocyclic or small-molecule entities, designed for therapeutic applications. Exact structures are detailed within the claims, which specify substituents and stereochemistry.
2. How does WO2006024667 influence the patent landscape for similar drugs?
It can serve as a blocking patent if the claims cover core chemical scaffolds, impeding competitors from developing similar formulations without licensing. Its strategic value depends on claim scope and validity.
3. Can WO2006024667 be challenged for patent validity?
Yes. Infringement or validity challenges can be raised based on prior art, obviousness, or claim indefiniteness. Its strength depends on how distinct its disclosures are compared to existing patents.
4. What is the significance of the international filing?
The PCT/WIPO application facilitates global patent protection, allowing the applicant to pursue national-phase patents in multiple jurisdictions, increasing market exclusivity and deterrence against infringement.
5. How should licensees or competitors approach this patent?
They should analyze the claims closely, assess potential infringement risks, explore licensing opportunities, or design around claims through structural modifications or alternative methods.
Sources
- World Intellectual Property Organization. WO2006024667 patent publication.
- Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) official documentation.
- Industry reports on pharmaceutical patent landscapes and chemical patent strategy publications.
- Publicly available patent databases such as WIPO PATENTSCOPE and Espacenet for technical claim analysis.
- Analytical reports on pharmaceutical patent validity and litigation cases.
Note: Due to limited access to the complete patent text, this analysis relies on general principles, typical claim characteristics, and strategic considerations for similar patent filings. For detailed validation and legal interpretation, review of the full patent document is recommended.
