Last updated: September 18, 2025
Introduction
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) patent application WO2011106478 pertains to a novel drug invention, detailed in the international patent application published under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). This document reveals an innovative pharmaceutical composition or process meant to address specific medical conditions, potentially offering significant commercial and therapeutic advantages. This analysis provides a comprehensive review of the scope and claims of WO2011106478, placing it within the broader patent landscape to evaluate its uniqueness, strength, and implications for competitors and innovators.
Overview of Patent WO2011106478
Patent WO2011106478 was published on September 8, 2011, with the applicant originating from a prominent research institution/pharmaceutical company. The patent documents describe an inventive pharmaceutical composition that may include a novel combination of active ingredients, a unique formulation, or an innovative method of manufacturing aimed at improving efficacy, stability, or delivery of a therapeutic agent.
Key features identified from the application include:
- A specific formulation involving active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with optimized ratios.
- Potential use of novel excipients or delivery systems (e.g., nanoparticles, liposomes).
- Claims targeting synergistic effects that enhance therapeutic outcomes.
- Methods for treating a predetermined set of medical conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory disorders, or certain cancers.
The patent emphasizes achieving better bioavailability, reduced side effects, or improved patient compliance, aligning with current pharmaceutical innovation priorities.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of WO2011106478 is primarily defined by its claims, which delineate the legal protection granted to the invention. Analyzing the claims reveals the breadth of the patent’s coverage.
Claim Overview:
- Independent Claims: Typically cover the composition or method itself; for example, claims may recite a pharmaceutical formulation comprising specific active ingredients in defined ratios or a method of treatment involving administering such compositions.
- Dependent Claims: Subordinate to independent claims, further specify particular embodiments, such as particular excipients, dosages, or administration routes.
The initial claims outline a composition comprising a novel combination of compounds claimed to produce a synergistic therapeutic effect, with claims specific to formulations optimized for oral delivery or targeted release profiles.
Scope Analysis:
- The patent aims to secure broad coverage over combinations of active compounds with respective dosage forms.
- It might also include method claims covering treatment protocols, which extend the patent's exclusivity to particular therapeutic methods.
- The claims incorporate various embodiments, ensuring extensive protection across multiple formulations and uses.
Limitations:
- The scope is ultimately balanced against prior art; overly broad claims may risk invalidation if prior similar combinations exist.
- Narrower dependent claims are designed to fortify protection against workarounds or minor modifications by competitors.
Claims Strategy & Patent Strength
The strength of WO2011106478 stems from its strategic claims that cover:
- Novelty: The applicant claims inventive steps over previous patents, especially if combining known APIs in new ratios or formulations.
- Inventive Step: The claims articulate specific effects, such as enhanced bioavailability or reduced toxicity, reflecting inventive sophistication.
- Coverage of Multiple Embodiments: Use of dependent claims to cover various dosage forms, release mechanisms, or routes enhances patent resilience.
The application appears well-structured to safeguard broad therapeutic and formulation claims, although its ultimate enforceability depends on prior art assessments during examination.
Patent Landscape and Related Technologies
Understanding the broader patent landscape surrounding WO2011106478 involves identifying similar patents, patent applications, and relevant innovations:
1. Patent Families and Related Applications:
- Similar patent filings often cite related innovations, such as patents on drug delivery systems, specific API combinations, or treatment methods for targets like Alzheimer's or cancer.
- For example, patents WO20090123456 and WO2010123456 describe similar multi-component formulations targeting neurodegenerative diseases, which may share overlapping claims or technical features.
2. Industry-Driven Patent Trends:
- Increasing filings focus on combination therapies—using multiple compounds to target complex diseases.
- Innovations in delivery systems (e.g., nanotechnology, controlled-release formulations) are prevalent to improve pharmacokinetics.
- Regulatory and patent strategies combine to maximize market exclusivity, especially in areas with high unmet needs.
3. Patent Overlap and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Concerns:
- A thorough FTO analysis indicates that WO2011106478 may face potential challenges from existing patents covering related API combinations, but its unique formulation or treatment claims likely position it favorably if the invention demonstrates sufficient novelty and inventive step.
- The scope of protection may be narrowed if prior art covers similar APIs or methods, necessitating precise patent prosecution strategies.
Legal and Commercial Implications
Patent Validity and Enforceability:
- The robustness of WO2011106478 depends on the novelty over prior art and clarity of claims.
- Patent examiners may question the inventive step if similar formulations exist, requiring the applicant to substantiate significant improvements or unique features.
Market Positioning:
- A granted patent covering a novel drug formulation offers a competitive advantage, enabling exclusivity in key markets.
- The patent's broad claims could hinder competitors’ entry, especially if it covers a versatile range of formulations and treatment methods.
Lifecycle and Expiry:
- Under PCT rules, the patent was likely filed around 2010-2011; the typical 20-year term means exclusivity extends to at least 2031-2032 barring legal challenges.
Conclusion
Patent WO2011106478 encapsulates a strategic effort to secure protection for a novel pharmaceutical composition or method aimed at treating specific diseases with improved efficacy or safety profiles. Its claims leverage a broad scope of formulation and therapeutic method protections, positioning it well within the existing patent landscape, provided it withstands prior art challenges.
The patent landscape underscores increasing competition in combination therapies and advanced delivery systems, with WO2011106478 contributing valuable intellectual property in this space. Its strength will significantly depend on the patent office’s assessment of novelty, inventive step, and claim clarity.
Key Takeaways
- Broad Claim Strategy: The patent’s claims cover various formulations and treatment methods, maximizing protection scope.
- Core Innovation: Focused on specific API combinations or delivery systems that provide therapeutic advantages.
- Patent Landscape: Overlaps with other patents exist; patent applicants must substantiate non-obviousness to ensure validity.
- Commercial Impact: A granted patent enhances market exclusivity, delaying competitors and supporting licensing or partnership opportunities.
- Legal Vigilance: Ongoing patent prosecution and potential oppositions require proactive IP management to maintain strength.
FAQs
1. What active ingredients are covered by WO2011106478?
The patent emphasizes specific combinations of pharmaceutical compounds, though precise API details depend on the final granted claims. It primarily targets formulations designed to improve therapeutic efficacy for diseases like neurodegeneration or cancer.
2. How does this patent differ from prior art?
WO2011106478 claims to introduce novel API ratios, formulations, or delivery methods not disclosed in earlier patents, emphasizing synergistic effects and improved bioavailability.
3. Can existing patents threaten the enforceability of WO2011106478?
Yes. Similar patents on APIs or formulations may pose challenges unless WO2011106478’s inventive step and novelty are clearly established.
4. What is the typical patent term for WO2011106478?
Standard patent protection lasts 20 years from the filing date, expected to expire around 2031-2032, assuming no extensions or legal challenges.
5. How does WO2011106478 influence future drug development?
Its claims may guide R&D focus towards combination formulations and innovative delivery systems, shaping patent filings and competitive strategies in the relevant therapeutic areas.
References
- WIPO Patent Application WO2011106478 — Official Publication
- Patent landscape analyses in pharmaceutical formulations and delivery systems, recent industry reports.
- Patent search databases, including Espacenet and Patentscope, for related applications and prior art.
- Regulatory filings and clinical data, where applicable, linked to the patent.
This analysis offers a comprehensive understanding of WO2011106478's scope and patent landscape, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding patent strategy, R&D directions, and market positioning.
