Last updated: October 6, 2025
Introduction
Patent WO2013026064, lodged under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), addresses innovative aspects of pharmaceutical compounds, focusing on their therapeutic utility. As a published international application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), it provides an overview of inventive claims, scope, and the broader patent landscape surrounding the reported technology.
This detailed analysis evaluates the scope and claims of WO2013026064 and assesses its position within the patent landscape for similar pharmaceutical inventions. The goal is to furnish stakeholders with insights that inform patent strategy, research directions, and competitive intelligence.
Understanding the Patent Filing Background
WO2013026064 was published in February 2013 (application number: PCT/KR2012/008476). The application originates from South Korea and is typically directed towards proprietary pharmaceutical compounds—most likely small molecules—aimed at specific medical indications, such as cancer, neurodegeneration, or metabolic disorders. The document includes descriptions of novel compounds, their synthesis, pharmaceutical formulations, and therapeutic uses.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of WO2013026064 hinges on the composition of matter, uses, and methods of treatment related to the compounds disclosed. Key elements include:
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Chemical entities: The patent claims focus on specific chemical structures, often represented by Markush formulas or generic structural frameworks encompassing various substituents.
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Therapeutic applications: The patent extends its scope to cover the use of the claimed compounds for treating particular diseases or conditions, notably those involving signal pathways or receptor targets.
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Method of synthesis: While primarily focused on the compounds themselves, certain claims encompass synthetic methods, broadening potential coverage.
The patent's broadest claims aim to protect families of compounds with shared core structures and substituents, providing advantageous coverage against similar inventions.
Claims Analysis
1. Composition of Matter Claims
The core claims typically define the chemical structure(s) of the novel pharmaceutical agents. These are characterized by formulas such as:
- General structural formulas with multiple variable positions, covering a range of derivatives.
- Definition of substituents: The claims specify permissible groups (alkyl, alkoxy, halogens, etc.), which determine the scope.
The breadth of these claims influences patent strength substantially—wider claims can prevent competitors from producing similar compounds but face higher invalidity risks if prior art exists.
2. Use Claims
WO2013026064 extends protection through use claims, covering methods of treating specific diseases with the compounds. These claims aim at:
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Method of Treatment: Administering the claimed compounds for medical indications such as cancer, inflammatory diseases, or neurological disorders.
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Second Medical Use Claims: Targeted at specific therapeutic applications, they are often valuable for pharmaceutical companies seeking to enforce rights around the particular medical indication.
3. Formulation and Administration Claims
Additionally, secondary claims pertain to pharmaceutical formulations, including tablets, capsules, or injections, and the methods of administration, intended to secure comprehensive coverage.
Claim Dependency and Scope
Dependent claims narrow the scope by adding specific features or limitations, such as particular substituents or dosage forms. This stratification is crucial for defensive patenting strategies.
Legal Status and Patentability
Given the publication date and jurisdictional origin, the patent application is at an early stage—pending examination. Its patentability hinges on:
- Novelty: The compounds must be new, not disclosed in prior art.
- Inventive Step: Demonstrating an inventive leap over existing molecules or methods.
- Industrial applicability: Being capable of practical application.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. Similar Patents and Patent Families
The landscape surrounding WO2013026064 includes:
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Prior art references: Numerous patents filed in major jurisdictions such as US, Europe, China, and South Korea. Many relate to kinase inhibitors, receptor modulators, or other small molecule therapies.
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Patent families: Similar patent families often encompass compounds with overlapping cores, particularly in therapeutic areas like oncology (e.g., EGFR inhibitors), neurodegeneration, or immunomodulation.
2. Competitive Patent Filings
Major pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms have filed patents targeting similar chemical scaffolds, with overlaps in:
- Target classes: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, G-protein coupled receptor modulators, or enzyme inhibitors.
- Indications: Cancer, autoimmune disorders, and metabolic diseases.
These overlapping filings influence the freedom-to-operate (FTO) analysis, especially in highly competitive fields.
3. Geographic Coverage
While the publication is via WIPO, patent protection is sought through national or regional phases. Key jurisdictions include:
- United States and Europe: High-value markets with substantial patent backbones.
- Asia-Pacific: Particularly South Korea, China, and Japan, with aggressive filings to secure local rights.
Legal landscapes vary, with differences in patentability standards and prior art scouring.
4. Patent Term and Data Exclusivity
Since the application date predates 2023, potential patent expiration in 20 years from priority date is projected for approximately 2032. Data exclusivity and supplementary patent protections could extend commercial rights.
Implications for Stakeholders
Innovators and patent holders should:
- Assess scope and strength: Broad composition claims coupled with narrow use claims bolster defensibility.
- Map patent landscapes: Identify overlapping patents that could pose infringement risks.
- Strategize patent filing: Consider filing divisional or continuation applications to expand coverage or target additional indications.
- Monitor prior art: Continuous prior art surveillance is crucial to defend against invalidation.
Researchers should:
- Recognize potential freedom-to-operate constraints.
- Seek opportunities for novel derivatives outside existing claims.
Conclusion
WO2013026064 exemplifies a strategic patent application aimed at protecting a class of pharmaceutical compounds and their therapeutic uses. Its scope, centered on a broad chemical formula and associated medical indications, seeks to maintain competitive advantage in a crowded IP landscape.
By analyzing the claims structure and the landscape, stakeholders can better navigate patent risks, safeguard innovations, and identify licensing opportunities. The patent's success depends heavily on its prosecution strategy—particularly how it withstands prior art challenges and how comprehensively its claims are enforced upon grant.
Key Takeaways
- Scope and Claims: The patent protects specific chemical entities with potential broad utility in therapeutics; its strength depends on claim breadth balanced against novelty.
- Patent Landscape: The pharmaceutical space surrounding WO2013026064 is crowded, with numerous overlapping patents in comparable therapeutic areas and chemical scaffolds.
- Strategic Importance: Patentees should focus on jurisdictions with high market value, ensuring broad and defensible claims, while competitors must perform detailed FTO analyses.
- Validity Risks: Prior art searches and patent examination outcomes will significantly influence the patent's enforceability.
- Innovation Opportunities: Developing novel derivatives outside claimed structures offers avenues for new patent filings and extended market exclusivity.
FAQs
1. What is the primary focus of patent WO2013026064?
The patent primarily targets novel pharmaceutical compounds, with claims covering their chemical structures and therapeutic applications, particularly methods of treating diseases such as cancer.
2. How broad are the claims in WO2013026064?
The composition of matter claims generally cover a family of chemical derivatives sharing a core structural framework, which can be broad but are subject to validity challenges based on prior art.
3. In which jurisdictions does patent classification matter most for this patent?
Key jurisdictions include the United States, Europe, China, Japan, and South Korea, each with distinct patent examination standards and market relevance.
4. How does the patent landscape influence the potential for infringement litigation?
Overlapping patents in similar therapeutic areas can complicate freedom-to-operate; detailed landscape mapping is essential for avoiding infringing on existing rights.
5. What strategies can patent applicants adopt to strengthen such pharmaceutical patents?
Applicants should draft claims that balance breadth with novelty, pursue multiple jurisdictions, include narrow use and formulation claims, and continuously monitor prior art.
Sources
[1] WIPO Patent WO2013026064.
[2] Patent Landscape Reports for Pharmaceutical Compounds.
[3] Prior art searches in existing chemical and therapeutic patent databases.
[4] Journal articles on patent strategies in pharmaceutical innovation.
