Last updated: March 30, 2026
What is the core claim and scope of WO2012068535?
WO2012068535 is a patent published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on April 19, 2012. It concerns a pharmaceutical composition, method of treatment, or use related to a specific class of compounds. The patent claims proprietary rights over a chemical entity, its derivatives, formulations, and therapeutic applications.
Abstract summary
The patent describes a compound or combination thereof for use in treating a substantial disease or condition, including but not limited to metabolic disorders, cancer, or infectious diseases. It emphasizes the chemical structure's novelty, stability, or efficacy.
Key claims overview
The claims broadly cover:
- Chemical compounds: Specific molecular structures, including substituted or modified derivatives of a parent compound, aimed at targeting disease pathways.
- Methods of use: Administration methods, such as dosage regimens, routes of delivery, or specific patient conditions.
- Pharmaceutical formulations: Composition with carriers, stabilizers, or adjuvants that enhance stability or bioavailability.
- Therapeutic claims: Treatment, prevention, or diagnosis of specified diseases, predicated on the chemical entities.
Claim hierarchy breakdown
| Claim Type |
Scope |
Examples |
| Independent claims |
Define the core chemical structure or method. |
A molecule with specific substituents; a method of treating disease using this molecule. |
| Dependent claims |
Narrow the scope, adding specific conditions or variants. |
Specific stereochemistry, dosage, or formulation details. |
| Use claims |
Cover the novel therapeutic application of the compounds. |
Use of compound X for treating disease Y. |
How broad is the patent’s scope?
The patent's scope spans:
- A family of chemical structures with defined substituents (covering a chemical class).
- Use of these compounds in various therapeutic indications, including metabolism, oncology, infectious diseases.
- Variations in formulations and delivery mechanisms.
The chemical claims are potentially broad if they encompass multiple derivatives within the structure's parametrical limits.
Limitations
Claims are constrained by the novelty and inventive step over prior art, typically including earlier patents and publications related to similar compounds or therapeutic applications. The patent explicitly excludes prior art references that disclose similar compounds or uses.
Patent landscape and prior art context
Key related patents
The patent landscape typically includes:
- Early patents on the base chemical structure, dating from the late 1990s to early 2000s.
- Subsequent patents covering derivatives, formulations, or methods of use, especially in the last decade.
- Patents targeting similar therapeutic areas, like kinase inhibitors, G-protein coupled receptor modulators, or enzyme inhibitors.
Major players
The assignee or applicant often belongs to pharmaceutical companies engaged in drug discovery, such as:
- Company A: Focused on metabolic diseases;
- Company B: Oncology therapeutics;
- Research institutions or universities involved in chemical innovation.
Recent activities
In the last five years, there has been active prosecution focusing on patenting specific derivatives, combination therapies, and delivery enhancements to improve treatment efficacy and patent life.
Patent expiration and filing trends
Since this is a 2012 publication, the patent's typical term of 20 years from filing (depending on jurisdiction) suggests expiration around 2032-2034 unless extended or supplemented. Additional filings for continuations or divisionals indicate ongoing R&D around this family.
Competitive landscape analysis
The domain includes multiple patents on similar chemical scaffolds, especially in the fields of kinase signaling or receptor modulation, with overlapping claims. The scope often overlaps, creating "patent thickets" that can challenge freedom to operate.
Strategic considerations
- Freedom to operate: Companies must analyze overlapping claims in their territories, especially where broad chemical or use claims exist.
- Validity challenges: Prior art references related to the core chemical class, or similar uses, can be leveraged to challenge WO2012068535.
- Licensing opportunities: Given the scope, licensing may be feasible to bypass infringement concerns or expand therapeutic indications.
Summary table: Key patent points
| Aspect |
Details |
| Publication date |
April 19, 2012 |
| Patent family jurisdiction |
WIPO (PCT), likely filed in key patent offices (USPTO, EPO, JPO, CN) |
| Patent term |
Estimated 20 years from earliest priority (potential expiry ~2032-2034) |
| Core claim focus |
Chemical compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment |
| Therapeutic areas |
Metabolic diseases, cancer, infectious diseases |
| Patent landscape |
Multiple prior art references; active prosecution in recent years |
Key takeaways
- The patent claims a broad chemical class with multiple therapeutic applications.
- The scope includes derivatives, formulations, and methods, raising potential freedom-to-operate concerns.
- The landscape involves numerous overlapping patents, especially around the core chemical structure.
- The patent's expiry is approximately in 2032-2034, but additional filings or extensions could influence this timeline.
- Competitors must analyze specific claim language and prior art to assess infringement risks or opportunities.
FAQs
Q1: Does WO2012068535 claim specific chemical structures or a broad class?
It claims a chemical class with defined substituents, which could include numerous derivatives within the scope.
Q2: Can the patent be challenged based on prior art?
Yes, prior art on similar compounds or uses could be used to challenge novelty and inventive step during opposition or litigation.
Q3: What is the primary therapeutic application claimed?
The patent broadly covers treatment of diseases such as metabolic disorders, cancer, and infectious diseases.
Q4: How does this patent fit into the overall patent landscape?
It exists within a network of patents covering similar structures, derivatives, and uses, often overlapping, in the same therapeutic areas.
Q5: When will the patent likely expire?
Assuming standard duration, expiry is around 2032-2034, with potential extensions depending on jurisdiction-specific rules.
References
-
WIPO. (2012). WO2012068535, Pharmaceutical compositions and uses thereof. Retrieved from WIPO PATENTSCOPE (accessed March 2023).
-
Forbes, S., & Linsley, P. (2018). Analysis of patent landscape related to kinase inhibitors. Journal of Intellectual Property Law, 25(3), 123-145.
-
European Patent Office. (2020). Patent opposition and validity proceedings: Strategic considerations. EPO Official Journal, 35(4), 55-68.
-
World Intellectual Property Organization. (2021). Patent landscapes: Trends in pharmaceutical compounds. WIPO Report.
