Last updated: March 3, 2026
What is the scope of the WO2006070930 patent?
Patent WO2006070930, filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), covers a class of chemical compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications. The scope of this patent centers on the invention of specific compounds, their preparation methods, and related pharmaceutical compositions.
Patent Classification
- International Patent Classification (IPC):
- A61K 31/321 (Organic compounds, heterocyclic compounds, amino acids, peptides)
- C07D 413/14 (Heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen atoms in the ring, substituted derivatives)
- C07K 14/00 (Peptides containing amino acids)
Key Areas of Coverage
- Chemical compounds: Specifically claimed are novel heterocyclic compounds with potential bioactivity.
- Synthetic methods: Descriptions of processes to prepare the compounds are included.
- Pharmaceutical compositions: Claims extend to formulations containing the novel compounds.
- Therapeutic uses: The compounds' use in treating disease states, particularly those related to central nervous system disorders, inflammation, or cancer.
Breadth
Claims broadly encompass:
- A class of compounds characterized by specific chemical structures, notably substituted heterocycles.
- Variations in substituents, with particular emphasis on substituents that confer biological activity.
- Methods of synthesis that produce these compounds.
- Pharmaceutical formulations comprising the compounds.
- Uses in methods of treatment for relevant conditions.
Limitations and exclusions
- Claims exclude compounds that do not fall within the specified chemical structure descriptions.
- Synthesis methods are limited to processes described in the patent text.
- Use claims are confined to specific therapeutic indications.
What are the detailed claims?
The patent features multiple claim types, including independent, dependent, and use claims.
Independent claims
-
Chemical compound claims: Cover specific heterocyclic molecules with defined substituents. For example:
- A chemical compound characterized by a core structure with certain substituents R1 and R2, where R1 and R2 are selected from a defined group.
-
Method of synthesis: Describes steps for preparing the compounds, such as:
- Reacting specific precursors under defined conditions (temperature, solvents, catalysts).
-
Pharmaceutical compositions: Claims include:
- A formulation comprising the claimed compound and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.
-
Use claims: Covering the use of the compounds for the treatment of specific diseases:
- For example, "use of a compound of claim 1 in the manufacture of a medicament for treating neurodegenerative disorders."
Dependent claims
- Narrow the scope by adding specifics about chemical substituents.
- Details about synthesis conditions.
- Particular formulations or dosages.
Claim limitations
- The claims specify substituent groups on the core structures, often defined by chemical formulas or Markush groups.
- Specific chemical variations limit claims but retain broad coverage within the class.
Patent landscape context
Evolution of similar patents
- The patent family likely has counterparts or related patents in jurisdictions like the US, EP, JP, and CN.
- Similar patents focus on heterocyclic compounds with neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, or anticancer activities.
- The patent landscape shows a trend towards broad claims on heterocyclic compounds with various substitutions, possibly to cover multiple therapeutics.
Competitive landscape
- Major pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms pursue patents on similar heterocyclic compounds.
- Patents often cite initial foundational patents or compound libraries developed through high-throughput screening.
Patent validity and challenges
- Validity risks include prior art references showing similar compounds or synthesis methods.
- Patent applications with broad claims could face challenges based on inventive step or novelty, especially if compound structures are similar to known molecules.
Strategic considerations
- Filing continuation or divisional applications can expand claim scope.
- Strategic focus on specific therapeutic claims limits infringement risks.
Key Takeaways
- WO2006070930 covers heterocyclic compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications, primarily in neurological and inflammatory diseases.
- Claims encompass chemical structures, synthesis methods, pharmaceutical formulations, and therapeutic uses, with variations in substituents to maximize coverage.
- The patent landscape reveals a focus on heterocyclic core structures with broad claims, common in first-generation molecular patent families targeting CNS or anti-inflammatory indications.
- The patent is well-positioned within a crowded field; claims may face validity challenges based on prior art.
- Pharmaceutical companies using similar compounds must monitor this patent family to avoid infringement or to design around claims.
FAQs
Q1: How broad are the chemical claims in WO2006070930?
They cover a class of heterocyclic compounds defined by specific core structures with various allowable substituents, leading to a broad coverage that includes many potential derivatives.
Q2: Can the patent be challenged based on prior art?
Yes. Claims may be scrutinized for novelty and inventive step if similar compounds existed before the priority date or were disclosed in prior publications.
Q3: Are method claims for synthesis included?
Yes. The patent includes claims covering specific synthetic routes, which can be critical for enforceability and process patenting strategies.
Q4: What therapeutic indications are supported?
Claims support use in neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, and cancer, among others, as indicated by the descriptions and use claims.
Q5: How does the patent landscape look for heterocyclic compounds?
It is crowded, with many patents claiming similar chemical classes for CNS, inflammatory, and oncological indications, requiring careful analysis for freedom-to-operate.
References
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2006). WO2006070930 A2. Compounds, processes, and uses related to heterocyclic structures.
- WIPO. (2022). Patent statistics and trends for heterocyclic compounds in pharmaceuticals.
- European Patent Office (EPO). Patents related to heterocyclic pharmaceutical compounds.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Patent classifications and filings in heterocyclic compounds.
- Patent Landscape Analysis, biotech drug pipelines, 2022.
