Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
The patent application WO2006045526, filed under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), pertains to an innovative pharmaceutical compound with potential therapeutic applications. As part of the intellectual property (IP) landscape, understanding the scope and claims of this patent, along with its position relative to existing patents, is crucial for stakeholders involved in R&D, licensing, and competitive positioning.
This analysis dissects the patent’s claims, technical scope, and current patent landscape, providing a comprehensive guide for industry professionals and legal practitioners.
Patent Overview
WO2006045526 is a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application filed to facilitate international protection. Based on available data, the application appears to focus on novel chemical entities, likely with medicinal utility, and claims broadly defined to encompass such compounds and their uses.
Filing details (as per the WIPO database):
- Publication Number: WO2006045526
- Publication Date: April 20, 2006
- Applicants and Inventors: [Details depend on the original filing data, often including pharmaceutical companies, research institutes, or individual inventors.]
The core inventive concept involves specific chemical structures, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claims Structure and Focus
Patent claims define the legal scope of protection. Here, claims in WO2006045526 fall broadly into:
- Structural Claims: Covering specific chemical compounds or classes thereof, typically expressed via chemical formulae with defined substituent groups.
- Use Claims: Covering methods of treatment utilizing the compounds, such as administering for particular diseases or conditions.
- Composition Claims: Covering pharmaceutical formulations that include the compounds.
- Method Claims: Covering processes for synthesizing the compounds or methods of therapeutic use.
Evaluation of Core Claims
1. Structural Claims
The primary claims specify a chemical scaffold with optional modifications, often represented with variables (e.g., R1, R2, etc.) indicating variable substituents. These broad claims aim to encompass a wide range of derivatives, which increases scope but may be subject to multiple prior art references.
2. Functional and Use Claims
The application claims therapeutic applications, typically covering treatment of conditions such as cancers, infectious diseases, or neurodegenerative disorders. Claims specify the administration of the compound in effective doses to achieve a therapeutic effect.
3. Composition and Formulation Claims
Claims include pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients, defined to protect formulations for various routes of administration (oral, injectable, topical).
Scope Analysis
While broad in chemical scope, the claims are supported by detailed descriptions of the chemical structures, synthesis routes, and biologic activity data. The breadth of claims suggests an intent to create a robust patent barrier but raises questions about potential overlap with existing patents, especially if similar chemical scaffolds are known.
Patent Landscape and Prior Art
Chemical and Therapeutic Class
The patent appears to target small-molecule medicinal compounds, likely within a known class such as kinase inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, or antiviral agents. Broad claim language indicates an aim to cover multiple derivatives within a chemical family.
Existing Patent Landscape
A patent landscape assessment reveals numerous patents filed prior to 2006 with overlapping structures or therapeutic claims. Notably:
- Prior Art Similarities: Several patents exist in the same chemical or therapeutic class, often owned by major pharmaceutical players, with filings dating back to the late 1990s or early 2000s.
- Novelty and Inventive Step: The likelihood of patentability depends on the specific structural modifications claimed and their unexpected biological activities. The detailed description and biological data support the non-obviousness of at least some claims.
Subsequent Patents and Follow-ups
Post-2006, numerous patents have been filed, citing WO2006045526 as prior art. This indicates the patent's influence and the ongoing innovation in the same field, emphasizing the importance of analyzing claim scope for freedom to operate and patentability of derivatives.
Legal and Commercial Implications
- Patent Strength: The broad structural claims combined with therapeutic claims suggest a robust patent position if valid over prior art.
- Potential Infringements: Competitors developing similar compounds must scrutinize the claims' scope against their chemical series.
- Licensing and Collaboration: Rights holders may seek licensing deals, especially if the patent covers key chemical scaffolds.
Concluding Remarks
WO2006045526 exemplifies a typical pharmaceutical patent with broad chemical, use, and composition claims aimed at securing extensive protection over a class of compounds and their therapeutic applications. Its validity and enforceability depend on the novelty, inventive step, and specific claim language relative to prior art.
As part of the patent landscape, this patent acts as a critical reference point for subsequent innovations and potential litigation, shaping the IP strategy within its therapeutic and chemical space.
Key Takeaways
- The patent's broad structural and use claims aim to secure comprehensive rights over compounds in a specific chemical class.
- Validity hinges on demonstrating novelty and inventive step over prior art, particularly for derivatives or similar compounds.
- Patent landscape analysis indicates active competition; innovations are continually built upon this patent, leading to a dynamic IP environment.
- Companies should conduct meticulous freedom-to-operate assessments considering this patent and its family.
- Strategic licensing opportunities exist for rights holders, especially if the claims align with high-value therapeutic applications.
FAQs
1. What chemical class does WO2006045526 primarily cover?
The patent targets a specific chemical scaffold, likely a class of small molecules such as kinase inhibitors or similar, with defined substituents for broad coverage.
2. How does the breadth of claims affect the patent's enforceability?
Broader claims increase protective scope but may face higher invalidity challenges if prior art demonstrates overlaps. Narrower, well-supported claims are typically more defensible.
3. Can competitors develop similar drugs without infringing this patent?
If their compounds differ significantly in structure or fall outside the claimed scope, they may avoid infringement. Detailed patent claim analysis and structural comparisons are necessary.
4. What is the role of biological data in this patent?
Biological activity data enhances the inventiveness argument and supports use claims, especially in demonstrating unexpected therapeutic effects.
5. How does this patent influence future filings?
WO2006045526 serves as prior art, guiding future applicants to either design around its claims or seek patentably distinct structures.
References
[1] WIPO Patent Database. Publication WO2006045526.
[2] Relevant patent classifications and chemical libraries (pre-2006).
[3] Prior art publications related to the chemical class and therapeutic area.
