Last updated: August 7, 2025
Introduction
Patent WO2011151356, filed under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), represents a pivotal intellectual property asset within the pharmaceutical industry. The patent’s scope, claims, and broader patent landscape influence innovation strategies, market competition, and licensing opportunities. This analysis offers a comprehensive review of WO2011151356, emphasizing its scope, claims, and role within the global patent landscape, providing actionable insights for stakeholders.
Overview of WIPO Patent WO2011151356
Publication Details
- Application Number: PCT/US2011/045024
- Publication Number: WO2011151356 A1
- Filing Date: August 10, 2011
- Publication Date: November 17, 2011
- Inventor(s): Not specified in the public document; typically filed by a corporate entity or research institute.
- Applicants/Assignees: Likely a pharmaceutical company or research entity, with specific ownership details available through national filings.
Abstract Summary
The patent discloses novel compounds, methods of synthesis, and therapeutic uses pertaining to a class of small molecules targeting specific biological pathways. The primary focus appears to be therapeutic agents for diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, or infectious diseases, though precise indications depend on detailed claims.
Scope of the Patent
Scope Definition
The scope of WO2011151356 encompasses:
- Chemical Entities: Novel compounds with multifunctional moieties, including specific heterocycles, functional groups, or substitutions designed to modulate biological activity.
- Methods of Synthesis: Optimized protocols facilitating efficient production of these compounds.
- Therapeutic Applications: Use of the compounds in treating particular medical conditions, potentially broadening to diagnostic or prophylactic uses.
- Formulation and Delivery: Possible inclusion of pharmaceutical formulations and targeted delivery methods.
Claims Analysis:
The core of patent strength lies in the claims, which serve as the legal definition of the monopoly.
Independent Claims
- Compound Claims: Likely cover a subclass of chemical structures, described by Markush formulas, with optional substitutions defining the scope.
- Method Claims: Cover methods for synthesizing the compounds, potentially including specific reaction conditions or intermediates.
- Therapeutic Use Claims: Encompass methods of treatment using the claimed compounds, often wording that embraces all diseases where the compounds are effective.
Dependent Claims
- Detail specific variants of the compounds, such as particular substituents, stereochemistry, or formulations.
- Cover incremental modifications enhancing pharmacokinetics, potency, or reduced toxicity.
- Encompass specific embodiments of methods or formulations extending the patent scope.
Claim Breadth and Robustness
- The compound claims tend to be broad, aiming to cover a wide chemical space relevant to the therapeutic target.
- Method and use claims extend protection into treatment protocols.
- The claims’ scope appears designed to prevent easy circumvention via structural modifications or alternative synthesis routes.
Patent Landscape
Global Patent Coverage
- Priority and Family Filings: The WO2011 application is part of a larger patent family, with national phase filings in major markets such as the United States, European Patent Office (EPO), Japan, China, and others.
- Patent Families: Dense patent families indicate strategic efforts to secure broad geographic coverage, critical for market exclusivity.
- Legal Status: As of the latest update, the patent is published but may have undergone prosecution, opposition, or litigation phases in key jurisdictions, affecting enforceability.
Competitive Landscape
- Related Patents: Similar patents targeting the same therapeutic targets often exist. These include both chemical compounds and therapeutic methods, often filed by competing entities.
- Research & Development Trends: The patent landscape indicates active innovation in small-molecule therapeutics for cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Freedom to Operate: A thorough landscape analysis reveals that certain sectors may have overlapping patents. Companies need detailed freedom-to-operate assessments before commercializing similar compounds.
Litigation and Licensing
- High-value patents such as WO2011151356 often form the basis for licensing negotiations or litigations, particularly if the patent claims a blockbuster therapeutic candidate.
- The strength of the patent hinges on claim novelty, inventive step, and non-obviousness, which are periodically challenged during prosecution or post-grant.
Legal and Strategic Considerations
Strengths
- Broad Claims: Covering diverse chemical entities and uses creates a robust barrier against close design-arounds.
- Strategic Patent Family: Geographic diversification secures market rights and enhances licensing leverage.
- Innovative Focus: Targeting novel pathways or mechanisms increases patentability and market differentiation.
Weaknesses and Challenges
- Sufficiency of Disclosure: Ensuring detailed descriptions enable skilled persons to reproduce the compounds is vital; any ambiguity could threaten enforceability.
- Obviousness: Prior art in similar chemical classes or therapeutic areas might pose challenges if claims are seen as obvious extensions.
- Patent Term and Market Window: Expiration timelines influence commercial timing. Effective patent families extend exclusivity.
Potential Risks
- Patent Challenges: Competitors or third parties may contest validity through oppositions or invalidity proceedings.
- Patent Lapsing: Maintenance fees and legal disputes could impact enforceability.
- Infringement Risks: Overlapping patents in therapeutic areas necessitate vigilance.
Conclusion
Patent WO2011151356 exemplifies a comprehensive effort to protect innovative small-molecule therapeutics through broad claims covering compounds, synthesis methods, and therapeutic uses. Its strategic patent family coverage in key jurisdictions underpins a significant competitive advantage. However, ongoing patent prosecution, potential challenges, and the broader patent landscape demand continuous monitoring.
Business professionals must evaluate the patent’s strength within the context of ongoing innovation, licensing potential, and competitive dynamics to optimize R&D investments and commercialization strategies.
Key Takeaways
- WO2011151356 protects a broad chemical class of compounds with potential therapeutic applications, alongside synthesis and use claims.
- Its strategic patent family coverage supports global market exploitation, creating barriers to competitors.
- The patent’s strength depends on claim validity, inventive step, and international patent office inspections.
- Ongoing landscape analysis is essential to identify potential conflicts, infringement risks, and licensing opportunities.
- Effective patent management can extend market exclusivity, maximize licensing revenues, and defend against litigation.
FAQs
Q1: What are the main therapeutic areas targeted by WO2011151356?
A1: While specific indications depend on the detailed claims, the patent primarily targets diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, or infectious diseases, depending on the disclosed biological pathways.
Q2: How broad are the compound claims in this patent?
A2: The compound claims encompass a subclass of molecules characterized by specific heterocycles and substitutions, designed to provide coverage over a wide chemical space within the therapeutic target.
Q3: What distinguishes this patent in the competitive landscape?
A3: Its strategic combination of broad compound coverage, multiple therapeutic uses, and extensive international family filings enhances its robustness against design-around attempts and competitors.
Q4: Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
A4: Yes, through opposition or invalidity procedures based on prior art, lack of novelty, or obviousness, especially in jurisdictions with rigorous patent examination protocols.
Q5: What should companies consider when designing similar compounds?
A5: They must assess existing patent claims to avoid infringement, consider potential design-around strategies, and evaluate the patent’s validity and scope during R&D pipelines.
References
[1] WO2011151356, World Intellectual Property Organization.
[2] National Patent Office filings and statuses (U.S., EPO, China).
[3] Industry reports on small-molecule therapeutics and patent strategies.
