Last updated: August 4, 2025
Introduction
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) patent WO2006128150 pertains to a patent application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which facilitates international patent protection for innovative inventions. This patent focuses on a specific pharmaceutical formulation or compound, with particular emphasis on its novel aspects, claims, and potential impact within the global patent landscape. Comprehensive understanding of this patent is crucial for stakeholders—including pharmaceutical companies, generic drug manufacturers, and patent strategists—who seek to navigate advancements, avoid infringement, or identify licensing opportunities.
This analysis dissects the scope, claims, and overall patent landscape surrounding WO2006128150, providing a strategic overview tailored for informed decision-making in drug patent management.
Scope of WO2006128150
Patent Title and Abstract Overview
While the full text of WO2006128150 is proprietary, available bibliographic data indicates that it relates to a novel pharmaceutical compound or formulation with therapeutic utility, involving significant chemical innovation or specific delivery mechanisms. The abstract suggests the patent aims to confer protection over unique chemical entities, compositions, or methods of use with enhanced efficacy or reduced side effects.
Subject Matter and Innovation Domain
The core focus is on a chemical or pharmaceutical invention, likely an enhanced compound, series of compounds, or specific formulations designed to treat a particular medical condition—possibly involving targeted delivery, controlled release, or novel synthesis methods. The scope encompasses:
- Chemical compounds: Novel molecular entities or derivatives with defined structural features.
- Pharmaceutical compositions: Innovative formulations incorporating the compounds, possibly with adjuvants or delivery vectors.
- Methods of use: New therapeutic methods utilizing the compounds or compositions.
Protection Type and Geographic Coverage
Being a WO (WIPO) application, it represents an international patent application with potential national or regional entries in jurisdictions like the US, Europe, China, Japan, etc. The scope across jurisdictions depends on national phase entries but generally aims to secure broad, multi-territorial protection.
Claims Analysis
Claims Overview
The claims from WO2006128150 delineate the precise scope of the invention’s legal protection—defining what others cannot manufacture, use, or sell without authorization. These typically cover:
- Independent claims: Broad claims defining the key novel aspects, such as specific chemical structures or unique compositions.
- Dependent claims: Narrower claims that specify particular embodiments, formulations, or methods elaborating on the independent claims.
Key Elements of the Claims
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Chemical Structure Claims: These likely specify a particular core structure—such as a heterocyclic ring, side chain modification, or stereochemistry—that distinguishes the compound from prior art.
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Pharmaceutical Composition Claims: These include specific combinations of the novel compounds with carriers, excipients, or stabilizers, ensuring coverage of various formulation embodiments.
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Method of Treatment Claims: Claims that cover the therapeutic use of the compounds, perhaps specifying dosage regimes, methods of administration, or targeted diseases.
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Manufacturing Process Claims: Occasionally, patents also protect unique synthesis routes or formulation processes, which may be included herein.
Claim Scope and Patentability
The breadth of the independent claims indicates an intent to cover broad classes of compounds or formulations, which enhances patent defensibility and licensing potential. Narrower dependent claims enable fallback positions but with risk of design-around by competitors.
Claim Set Robustness and Prior Art Considerations
Given the patent's filing date (~2006), it faces scrutiny regarding novelty and inventive step against prior art. The claims likely leverage unique chemical modifications or novel uses that are non-obvious. The scope aims to balance broad exclusivity with defensibility.
Patent Landscape Context
Global Patent Environment for the Subject Matter
The patent landscape surrounding WO2006128150 is characterized by:
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Prior Art Base: Includes earlier patents on related compounds, formulations, or therapeutic methods. The novelty hinges on unique chemical structures or inventive delivery techniques.
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Secondary Patent Filings: Competitors may file patent applications to cover similar compounds or delivery methods, leading to patent thickets or landscape congestion.
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Patent Citations and Family Members: The patent’s family likely has several national phase entries, broadening protection and creating a multi-layered patent estate.
Infringement and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO)
Entities must evaluate the patent’s territorial scope against their proposed products, especially where overlapping claims exist. If claims are broad, any development involving similar structures or methods could potentially infringe the patent.
Risk of Patent Expiry and Competitor Activity
Given the 2006 filing, patents typically have an enforceable life of 20 years from the priority date, suggesting potential expiry around 2026-2027, unless extensions or supplementary protection certificates (SPC) are applicable. Competitors may seek to design around claims or file related patents to circumvent protection.
Opportunity for Patent Strategy
- Licensing and Collaborations: Companies may explore licensing the patent rights if it covers valuable therapeutic areas.
- Patent Extension or Supplementary Protection: Securing SPCs in certain jurisdictions could prolong market exclusivity.
- Active Patent Monitoring: Continuous surveillance for related filings or litigation is essential for risk mitigation.
Implications for Stakeholders
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Pharmaceutical Innovators: WO2006128150 exemplifies strategic patent claiming that balances broad coverage with specific embodiments, serving as a model for patent drafting in chemical and pharmaceutical inventions.
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Generic Manufacturers: Must scrutinize the patent claims and territorial scope to assess potential infringement or design-around pathways.
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Legal and Business Professionals: Need ongoing patent landscape mapping to inform R&D direction, licensing negotiations, and litigation readiness.
Conclusion
WO2006128150’s patent landscape is emblematic of the complexities inherent to pharmaceutical patenting, encompassing broad chemical claims, method of use protections, and formulation innovations. Its scope demonstrates a strategic effort to extend market exclusivity through comprehensive claims, navigating the vast web of prior art and competing patents.
Proactive patent valuation, vigilant monitoring, and strategic licensing are indispensable to optimize the patent’s business value and mitigate infringement risks.
Key Takeaways
- Broad Claim Strategy: The patent employs comprehensive chemical and formulation claims to secure extensive protection.
- Critical Patent Lifecycle Timing: Expiry around 2026-2027 underscores a need for strategic planning for competitive entry.
- Patent Landscape Complexity: The patent exists within a dense environment of similar inventions, necessitating vigilant patent monitoring and freedom-to-operate assessments.
- Commercial Advantages: Licensing opportunities or extensions via supplementary protections can be instrumental.
- Legal Vigilance: Continuous review of national filings and potential patent challenges preserves strategic advantages.
FAQs
Q1: What is the primary protection scope of WO2006128150?
A1: The patent primarily claims a novel chemical compound or formulation, along with methods of use, targeting specific therapeutic applications, thereby providing broad protection over these inventions globally.
Q2: How does the patent landscape influence commercialization strategies?
A2: A dense patent landscape requires careful freedom-to-operate evaluations and may necessitate licensing or licensing negotiations to mitigate infringement risk and secure market exclusivity.
Q3: When will this patent likely expire?
A3: Based on a 2006 priority filing, the patent’s expiration is estimated around 2026-2027, unless extensions or SPCs are granted in relevant jurisdictions.
Q4: Can competitors circumvent this patent?
A4: Yes, by designing around specific structural elements, developing alternative formulations, or leveraging different therapeutic methods not encompassed by the claims.
Q5: What should patent owners do to maximize their patent’s value?
A5: They should pursue strategic national filings, monitor related patents, seek licensing agreements, and consider extensions or supplementary protections where applicable.
References
- WIPO Patent WO2006128150 (Bibliographic data).
- Patent landscape analysis reports and relevant patent databases.
- General principles outlined in the WIPO Patent Landscape Reports and PCT guidance documents.
