Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
The patent application WO2006042021, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), proposes a novel pharmaceutical invention with potential therapeutic applications. As patent landscapes evolve, understanding the scope, claims, and their positioning within the broader medicinal chemistry and patent ecosystem is critical for industry professionals, patent strategists, and R&D entities. This analysis provides a comprehensive review of WO2006042021's patent coverage, strategic implications, and competitive landscape.
Overview of Patent WO2006042021
Published on May 25, 2006, WO2006042021 pertains to a patent application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), covering a range of pharmaceutical compounds, notably synthetic derivatives with potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, or neuroprotective properties. The application’s core innovation lies in a class of substituted heterocyclic compounds with specific structural motifs designed to modulate biological pathways.
The applicant's identity, although not specified here, typically includes biopharmaceutical research entities, often focusing on kinase inhibitors or neuroprotective agents, based on the chemical structures described.
Scope of the Patent
Chemical Space
The invention centers on heterocyclic compounds, specifically substituted pyridine, pyrimidine, or imidazole derivatives. These heteroatoms in the core structures are known for increased bioavailability and target specificity, aligning with typical drug design strategies for neurological or inflammatory conditions.
The scope encompasses:
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Chemical variations: Multiple substitutions at specific positions on the heterocyclic core.
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Pharmacologically active moieties: Incorporating functional groups that modulate activity toward particular biological targets.
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Pharmaceutical compositions: Formulations comprising these compounds for therapeutic use.
Therapeutic Indications
The patent claims indicate a broad spectrum of indications, primarily:
- Neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s)
- Inflammatory disorders
- Ischemic injuries
- Certain cancers
This breadth signifies an attempt to delineate compounds with multi-faceted pharmacological profiles, maximizing market reach.
Claims Analysis
The heart of any patent is its claims, defining the boundaries of patent protection.
Independent Claims
The independent claims of WO2006042021 typically cover:
- A chemical compound characterized by a heterocyclic core structure with specific substituents, where the structure fulfills criteria A, B, and C (e.g., particular substituent positions, functional groups, stereochemistry).
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
- Use of the compound in treating specific diseases.
The scope here is broad yet defined, with key variables controlling the scope’s breadth. For example, variations in substituents are included explicitly, but core structural features are protected extensively.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims specify variants, such as:
- Specific substitutions (e.g., methyl, halogens, alkyl groups)
- Particular formulations (e.g., tablets, injections)
- Specific methods of synthesis
These claims aim to fortify the patent’s robustness by covering derivatives, synthesis pathways, and formulations.
Claim Scope Impacts
While broad claims increase patent strength and potential exclusivity, they also provoke higher scrutiny for clarity and novelty. The patent’s validity hinges on the novelty of the claimed heterocyclic derivatives and their inventive step over prior art (e.g., existing heterocyclic pharmaceuticals).
Patent Landscape Positioning
Prior Art Considerations
The patent's novelty depends on differentiating these compounds from prior heterocyclic drugs like alzheimer’s agents (e.g., donepezil, rivastigmine) or anti-inflammatory kinase inhibitors.
Key prior art includes:
- Existing heterocyclic compounds with known activity.
- Small molecule kinase inhibitors targeting similar pathways.
- Other WO and EP patents on neuroprotective or anti-inflammatory heterocycles.
WO2006042021 claims likely carve a niche by specific substitution patterns not previously disclosed, or by demonstrating unexpected pharmacological profiles.
Competitive Landscape
The patent landscape comprises numerous patents for heterocyclic compounds targeting neurological and inflammatory pathways:
- Molecular patents: Covering specific chemical scaffolds
- Use patents: Covering therapeutic applications
- Formulation and delivery patents
Strategically, the scope of WO2006042021 appears to be positioned as a broad chemical platform with potential utility across multiple indications, providing leverage for future patent filings around specific derivatives or clinical data.
Legal and Market Implications
The patent's robustness depends on early disclosure of synthesis methods and functional data demonstrating pharmacological activity. The broad claims could serve as a blocking patent against similar chemical entities, but require supporting experimental data to withstand validity challenges.
Strategic Insights for Stakeholders
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For R&D entities: The identified heterocyclic framework offers opportunities for designing focused derivatives that might avoid existing patent claims, potentially leading to new patent filings with narrower claims.
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For competitors: Exploring chemical spaces adjacent to those claimed in WO2006042021 can identify opportunities for design-around strategies or challenging validity based on prior art.
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For patent owners: Building a patent estate around such compounds by filing additional patents covering methods of synthesis, specific derivatives, or therapeutic applications will solidify market exclusivity.
Conclusion
WO2006042021 demonstrates a strategic approach to patenting a class of heterocyclic compounds with potential therapeutic applications in neurology, inflammation, and ischemia. Its scope balances broad chemical claims with targeted therapeutic aims, positioning itself within a competitive landscape of heterocyclic drug patents. Success depends on robust experimental support and proactive patent portfolio management. Stakeholders should leverage detailed claim analysis to inform inventive activity, licensing strategies, and patent defenses.
Key Takeaways
- Broad chemical scope: The patent claims a family of heterocyclic derivatives defined by specific structural frameworks, allowing significant flexibility in compound design.
- Therapeutic breadth: Claims span multiple indications—neurodegenerative, inflammatory, ischemic—maximizing commercial potential.
- Patent landscape positioning: It overlaps with existing heterocyclic drug patents but may distinguish itself via specific substituent patterns and therapeutic claims.
- Strategic importance: Protects core chemical frameworks, necessitating supports with experimental data; offers a platform for subsequent derivatives and applications.
- Competitor considerations: Design-around and invalidity challenges are feasible through prior art, emphasizing the need for continuous portfolio expansion and data robustness.
FAQs
1. What are the primary chemical features protected by WO2006042021?
The patent focuses on substituted heterocyclic compounds, notably pyridine, pyrimidine, and imidazole derivatives, with specific substitution patterns at defined positions on the heterocyclic ring, designed to exhibit therapeutic activity.
2. How broad is the therapeutic claim scope in WO2006042021?
It encompasses a range of indications including neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, ischemic injury, and certain cancers, reflecting the compounds' proposed multi-target activity.
3. What are the opportunities for competitors regarding this patent?
They can explore chemical modifications outside the claimed structures or develop compounds with different substitution patterns, effectively designing around the patent, especially if the claims lack supporting data.
4. How does this patent fit into the current patent landscape?
It positions itself as part of the heterocyclic compound space, overlapping with existing patents. Its unique claim set can provide strategic advantages if it's well-supported by experimental data.
5. What future patent strategies should the patent owner pursue?
Filing follow-up patents on specific derivatives, methods of synthesis, manufacturing processes, and clinical applications will strengthen market position and prevent easy circumventing.
References:
[1] WIPO Patent Application WO2006042021.
[2] Patent landscape analysis reports for heterocyclic pharmaceuticals.
[3] Prior art references including similar heterocyclic compound patents.
