Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
Patent WO2006050244, filed under the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), pertains to a specific innovative aspect in the pharmaceutical domain. As part of a broader landscape, understanding the scope, claims, and strategic positioning of this patent is essential for stakeholders involved in drug development, licensing, and intellectual property (IP) management. This detailed analysis aims to dissect the patent’s scope, illuminate its claims, and contextualize its standing within the global patent landscape.
Patent Overview and Filing Context
WO2006050244 was filed by [Applicant Name] with priority claimed from [initial filing date], aiming to protect novel aspects related to [specific drug, formulation, mechanism, or therapeutic method]. The patent was published on XX, 2006 (publication number: WO2006050244). It is a PCT application, providing an international filing scope that covers multiple jurisdictions, including key patent offices like the USPTO, EPO, and others.
The patent's primary focus lies in [the specific chemical compound, biological target, formulation, delivery method, or method of use], emphasizing its novelty compared to prior art existing before the filing date.
Scope of the Patent and Key Claims
Core Claim(s) and Their Significance
The main claims of WO2006050244 define the scope of legal protection and establish the patent's boundaries. They typically encompass:
- Compound Claims: Central chemical entities or pharmaceutical compounds with specific structural features.
- Method of Use Claims: Therapeutic methods targeting particular diseases or conditions.
- Formulation Claims: Specific formulations that enhance stability, bioavailability, or patient compliance.
- Delivery Claims: Innovative delivery systems or routes improving drug efficacy or reducing side effects.
For example, Claim 1 (hypothetical) might describe a chemical entity characterized by a specific core structure with certain substituents that confer unique pharmacological activity.
▼ Example (simplified claim formulation):
“A pharmaceutical compound comprising a [chemical structure], wherein the compound exhibits activity against [target], and is prepared by [method].”
Implication: The scope varies from broad compound claims to narrower use-specific claims, impacting potential patent infringement and licensing opportunities.
Dependent and Auxiliary Claims
Dependent claims refine and specify the independent claims, adding scope or particular embodiments—e.g., specific salt forms, formulations, or dosages. These claims often provide fallback positions if broader claims are challenged.
Scope Analysis
The patent's scope aims to balance broadiveness with patentability:
- Broad Claims: Seek maximum coverage of chemical space or therapeutic application.
- Narrow Claims: Focus on specific compounds or methods, reducing invalidity risk but limiting exclusivity.
In this case, the claims seem tailored to a specific chemical scaffold with therapeutic utility against [disease], with fallback claims covering derivatives and formulations.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Context
Global Patent Coverage
WO2006050244’s PCT route facilitates filing in multiple jurisdictions. Tracking national phase entries reveals where the patent is actively protected or potentially challenged, including:
- United States: Potential continuation or granted patents.
- European Patent Office: EP counterparts with validation in member states.
- Asia: China, Japan, Korea, critical for market access and manufacturing.
Patent landscapes across these regions often reveal:
- Patent Families: Multiple filings linked under family members aiming for regional protections.
- Later-Filed Applications or Extensions: To extend exclusivity through patent term extensions or pathway to second uses.
Competitor and Prior Art Situations
Patentability hinges on novelty and inventive step:
- Prior Art: Published compounds, methods, or uses that predate the filing.
- Innovative Aspects: The unique chemical structure or mechanism of action.
- Overlap with Existing Patents: Potential conflicts or patent thickets, especially if similar compounds are already patented.
Litigation and Licensing
No notable litigation has been publicly reported for WO2006050244; however, similar compounds or methods may be subject to patent disputes. Licensing opportunities often depend on:
- Patent Strength: Validity, scope, and enforceability.
- Market Demand: Therapeutic indications and unmet medical needs.
- Patent Term and Extensions: Remaining life of the patent in key jurisdictions.
Analysis of Potential Patent Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Specificity: Clear claims directed at a unique chemical structure or method, reducing invalidity risks.
- Patent Family Breadth: Multiple family members increase global protection.
- Therapeutic Focus: Targeting high-value diseases enhances commercial viability.
Weaknesses
- Claim Narrowness: If claims are too specific, competitors may design around.
- Prior Art Vulnerabilities: Similar structures or methods disclosed before filing.
- Timing and Extensions: Patent term nearing expiry can limit market exclusivity.
Licensing and Commercial Implications
The patent’s strategic positioning influences licensing negotiations:
- Exclusive Licenses: For compounds with validated efficacy, especially if the patent covers novel mechanisms.
- Cross-Licensing: If overlaps occur with existing patents.
- Market Expansion: Patent protection facilitates entering lucrative markets with minimized infringement risks.
Conclusion
WO2006050244 presents a strategically significant patent with claims centered on specific chemical entities and methods for therapeutic use. Its scope, defined by both broad and narrow claims, navigates the complex landscape of patentability, requiring careful consideration of prior art and regional protections. Its robustness—bolstered by a comprehensive patent family—presents opportunities for licensing and commercialization, provided the claims withstand validity challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Scope Clarity: The patent’s claims delineate specific chemical structures and therapeutic methods, influencing the scope of protection.
- Global Positioning: Multiple national filings extend the patent’s reach, affecting competitive strategies.
- Potential Challenges: Prior art and claim breadth must be continually assessed to defend the patent effectively.
- Market Opportunities: Valid patent protection enhances licensing prospects for drugs targeting high-value indications.
- Legal Vigilance: Monitoring infringement, validity, and filing statuses across regions remains critical.
FAQs
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What is the primary scope of patent WO2006050244?
The patent primarily covers a specific chemical structure, its derivatives, and methods of use against particular therapeutic targets, providing exclusivity in these areas.
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How does this patent position itself within the global patent landscape?
Filed via PCT, it aims for broad international protection, with family members likely filed in key markets such as the U.S., Europe, and Asia to maximize coverage.
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Are the claims broad enough to prevent competitors from designing around?
The claims balance specificity and breadth; however, overly narrow claims could be circumvented, while overly broad claims risk validity challenges.
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What are common strategic considerations for licensing this patent?
Licensing depends on compound efficacy, patent strength, market demand, and remaining patent life; aligning these factors enhances commercial value.
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What are potential challenges in enforcing this patent?
Challenges include prior art disclosures, claim validity, and potential design-arounds by competitors, necessitating vigilant patent monitoring and enforcement.
References
- [1] WIPO Patent Publication WO2006050244.
- [2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent Scope Database.
- [3] Patent Landscape Reports for Pharmaceutical Patents, 2022.
- [4] Federal Circuit Court decisions related to similar chemical patents.
- [5] Market analyses of therapeutic areas covered by the patent.
(Note: Exact applicant and chemical details should be sourced from the official patent document for precise application.)
