Last updated: February 19, 2026
This report analyzes World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) patent WO2007031933, titled "PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOUND AND METHOD OF TREATMENT." The patent, filed by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, claims specific substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds and their use in treating certain diseases, primarily focusing on kinase inhibition for inflammatory and oncological conditions.
What are the core inventive concepts of WO2007031933?
The patent's core inventive concepts revolve around a novel class of chemical compounds belonging to the pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine structural family. These compounds are characterized by specific substituents at various positions on the core ring system, which confer selective inhibitory activity against certain protein kinases. The patent details the synthesis of these compounds and their demonstrated utility in therapeutic applications.
What is the structural definition of the claimed compounds?
WO2007031933 defines a genus of compounds represented by Formula I. The patent specifies that Formula I encompasses a particular structure with defined variable groups.
Formula I:
[Image of chemical structure would ideally be included here. As text, it's complex to represent accurately and concisely. The patent text itself describes the substituents in detail.]
The patent defines the following positions and their potential substituents:
- R1: This position can be substituted with various aryl or heteroaryl groups, which themselves can carry further substituents. Examples include substituted phenyl, pyridinyl, pyrazolyl, and thienyl rings.
- R2: This position is typically substituted with a small alkyl group, such as methyl.
- R3: This position can be substituted with hydrogen or various amine-containing groups, such as substituted amino or alkylamino groups.
- R4: This position is generally substituted with hydrogen.
- R5: This position can be substituted with various alkyl or cycloalkyl groups.
- R6: This position can be substituted with various amino or alkylamino groups.
The claims further narrow down Formula I to specific compound classes and, importantly, to specific exemplified compounds. These exemplified compounds represent the most concrete embodiment of the invention.
What therapeutic targets are addressed by these compounds?
The primary therapeutic targets identified for the compounds disclosed in WO2007031933 are protein kinases, specifically those involved in signaling pathways relevant to inflammation and cancer. The patent explicitly mentions inhibition of kinases such as:
- Janus Kinases (JAKs), particularly JAK1 and JAK2.
- Tyrosine Kinases.
The rationale for targeting these kinases is their role in mediating cellular responses to growth factors and cytokines, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases.
What are the claimed methods of treatment?
WO2007031933 claims methods of treating various diseases by administering the novel pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds. The identified disease categories include:
- Inflammatory Diseases: This encompasses conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, and other autoimmune disorders. The patent asserts that by inhibiting specific kinases (e.g., JAKs), these compounds can modulate immune responses and reduce inflammation.
- Oncological Diseases: The patent also claims utility in treating various cancers. The rationale here is that certain kinases are dysregulated in cancer cells, driving uncontrolled proliferation, survival, and metastasis. Inhibition of these kinases aims to impede tumor growth.
The method of treatment claims generally involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of one of the claimed compounds, or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition containing such a compound, to a subject in need thereof.
What is the scope of the patent's claims?
The patent's claims are structured to cover a broad range of compounds within the pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine scaffold, as well as specific methods of use.
What is the broadest generic claim?
The broadest generic claim is Claim 1, which defines Formula I and the Markush structure encompassing numerous possible variations of the substituents. This claim provides a wide scope of protection for compounds that fit the defined structural parameters, even if not explicitly synthesized or tested in the patent.
How are specific compounds protected?
Beyond the broad generic claims, the patent includes dependent claims that further define specific subclasses of compounds by limiting the possible substituents at various positions. Additionally, the patent provides specific examples of synthesized compounds with defined chemical names and, in many cases, biological activity data. These specific compounds are often referred to by internal designations (e.g., Compound 1, Compound 2).
What are the claims related to methods of treatment?
The patent includes claims directed to methods of treating diseases. These claims typically specify the disease to be treated (e.g., "a method of treating rheumatoid arthritis") and the administration of a compound of Formula I, or a specific compound, to achieve this therapeutic outcome.
What is the patent landscape for WO2007031933?
The patent landscape surrounding WO2007031933 is characterized by competitor activity in the kinase inhibitor space, particularly for JAK inhibitors and other oncology targets. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS) has actively pursued and developed drugs in this area.
What are key competitor patents?
Competitors have filed patents covering various classes of kinase inhibitors, including other scaffolds that inhibit JAKs or other relevant kinases. These patents may cover:
- Different Scaffolds: Patents claiming structurally distinct chemical classes of kinase inhibitors that target the same or similar pathways.
- Different Substitutions: Patents on similar core structures but with different substituent patterns that fall outside the scope of WO2007031933.
- Formulations and Delivery Methods: Patents related to specific pharmaceutical compositions or methods of delivering kinase inhibitors.
- Specific Therapeutic Uses: Patents claiming the use of known or novel kinase inhibitors for particular indications that may overlap with or complement the uses claimed in WO2007031933.
For example, other pharmaceutical companies have significant patent portfolios in the JAK inhibitor space, covering compounds like tofacitinib (Pfizer), baricitinib (Eli Lilly), and upadacitinib (AbbVie), each with its own unique structural features and patent protection.
What is the status of WO2007031933 and its family members?
WO2007031933 is an international patent application (PCT). It is common for such applications to be "divisionalized" or to have "continuations" filed in various national patent offices, such as the United States (USPTO), European Patent Office (EPO), and others. The actual patent grants and their validity and scope will depend on the examination and prosecution in each national jurisdiction.
- Publication Date: WO2007031933 was published on March 22, 2007.
- Priority Date: The application claims priority to earlier filings, establishing the invention date.
- National Phase Entry: The patent family likely entered the national phase in numerous countries, leading to individual patent applications and grants in those regions.
The examination process in each country may result in different claim scope, validity challenges, and expiration dates for granted patents.
What are potential infringement risks?
Potential infringement risks arise when a competitor develops and commercializes a compound that falls within the scope of the granted claims of WO2007031933 or its national equivalents, and uses it for a claimed method of treatment. This requires a detailed claim-by-claim analysis against competitor products and activities. Key considerations for infringement analysis include:
- Structural Equivalence: Whether a competitor's compound has a structure that is precisely covered by the claims or is considered an equivalent under patent law doctrines (e.g., doctrine of equivalents).
- Method of Use: Whether the competitor's product is marketed or used for a condition claimed in the patent.
- Claim Construction: The interpretation of the patent claims by courts, which can significantly broaden or narrow their scope.
Given the breadth of the Formula I in WO2007031933, it is plausible that other companies developing pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-based kinase inhibitors might need to assess potential overlap.
What is the commercial relevance and strategic implications?
The compounds disclosed in WO2007031933, and similar patented kinase inhibitors, have significant commercial relevance in the pharmaceutical market. The strategic implications for R&D and investment decisions are substantial.
What are the market opportunities?
The market opportunities for kinase inhibitors are vast, driven by the unmet medical needs in oncology and autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. Drugs targeting JAKs, for instance, have become blockbuster treatments for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. The specific therapeutic areas covered by WO2007031933 are high-value markets.
What are the implications for R&D strategy?
For companies engaged in kinase inhibitor research, this patent (and its family) necessitates:
- Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) analysis: Thorough evaluation to ensure new compound development does not infringe existing patents.
- Designing Around: Developing compounds with structural differences that clearly fall outside the patent's claims while retaining desirable biological activity.
- Licensing Opportunities: Potential for licensing the technology if developing similar compounds or seeking access to the patent's protected intellectual property.
What are the investment considerations?
Investors evaluating companies in the kinase inhibitor space must consider:
- Patent Portfolio Strength: The breadth, validity, and expiration dates of a company's patent portfolio are critical assets.
- Competitive Landscape: Understanding the patent positions of competitors is essential to assess market entry barriers and potential litigation risks.
- Pipeline Scrutiny: Analyzing a company's drug pipeline for potential infringement of existing patents or for novel IP creation.
The patent WO2007031933 represents a foundational piece of intellectual property for Bristol-Myers Squibb in the pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine kinase inhibitor space, influencing the competitive dynamics and strategic planning within this therapeutic sector.
Key Takeaways
WO2007031933 by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company claims a broad class of substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds and their use in treating inflammatory and oncological diseases, primarily through kinase inhibition. The patent's scope is defined by Formula I, encompassing numerous variations of chemical substituents, and extends to specific methods of treatment. The competitive landscape features other entities developing kinase inhibitors, necessitating rigorous freedom-to-operate analysis for any new entrant or product development in this space.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the expiration date of the patent protection stemming from WO2007031933?
The expiration date depends on the national patents granted from this international application. Generally, patent term is 20 years from the filing date, but this can be extended through mechanisms like patent term extension (PTE) in some jurisdictions. The earliest possible expiration for the base patent family would be around 2027, assuming no extensions.
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Are the compounds claimed in WO2007031933 currently marketed drugs?
WO2007031933 describes a class of compounds. While Bristol-Myers Squibb may have developed and marketed drugs based on this or related patent families, direct mapping requires investigation of specific compounds and their approval status. The patent itself is a disclosure of invention, not a finished product.
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How can a company determine if its new compound infringes on the claims of WO2007031933?
A comprehensive freedom-to-operate (FTO) analysis is required. This involves claim charting, comparing the structure and intended use of the new compound against each granted claim of WO2007031933 and its corresponding national patents, considering claim construction and potential doctrines of equivalence.
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What are the primary kinases targeted by the compounds in WO2007031933?
The patent explicitly identifies Janus Kinases (JAKs), particularly JAK1 and JAK2, as primary targets, along with other tyrosine kinases implicated in disease pathways.
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What is the strategic value of WO2007031933 for Bristol-Myers Squibb?
The patent provides foundational intellectual property for a broad chemical space of kinase inhibitors, enabling BMS to protect its research and development in the lucrative oncology and immunology markets. It serves as a barrier against competitors developing similar pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-based therapies.
Citations
[1] Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. (2007). Pharmaceutical compound and method of treatment. World Intellectual Property Organization. (WO2007031933 A1)
