Last updated: October 1, 2025
Introduction
The patent application WO2013048558, filed under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), embodies significant innovation within the pharmaceutical domain. This international application, published on April 25, 2013, exemplifies strategic patenting efforts to secure intellectual property rights across multiple jurisdictions and provides insights into the scope and potential commercial impact of the disclosed invention. This analysis offers a precise examination of the patent’s scope, the breadth of claims, and situates this patent within the broader landscape of related pharmaceutical innovations.
Patent Overview and Filing Context
WO2013048558 was published under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), facilitating a unified process for seeking patent protection internationally. While the PCT application itself does not grant a patent, it enables applicants to streamline their patenting strategy across multiple jurisdictions.
Typically, WO2013048558 relates to innovative compounds, formulations, or therapeutic methods, though specific details are necessary to delineate its precise scope. Based on the available publicly accessible information, this application claims novel chemical entities and their medical applications, potentially targeting indications such as oncology, inflammation, or neurodegenerative disorders (further details require patent document review).
Scope of the Patent
1. Technological Field and Purpose
The patent generally falls within the scope of medicinal chemistry and pharmacology, aiming to provide new molecules or methods that enhance treatment efficacy, reduce side effects, or overcome resistance seen in existing therapies.
2. Patent Claims: Structural and Functional Breadth
Patent claims form the core of scope determination—they define the boundaries of patent protection. The claims in WO2013048558 likely encompass:
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Composition claims: Covering specific chemical compounds, their salts, prodrugs, and derivatives. These claims often include broad classes of heterocyclic compounds, substituents, and functional groups, increasing scope.
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Method claims: Covering therapeutic methods such as administering the compounds for specific diseases, dosages, and treatment regimens.
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Use claims: Claiming the use of the compounds for particular indications, such as cancer, inflammatory diseases, or neurological conditions.
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Formulation claims: Encompassing optimized pharmaceutical formulations, delivery systems, and manufacturing processes.
3. Structural and Functional Variability
The patent likely claims a core chemical scaffold with various substituents, often including Markush groups, thereby extending protection across a wide chemistry space. A typical strategy involves claiming:
- Core structures with variable substituents at specified positions.
- Functional groups that influence pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
- Prodrugs and pharmacologically active metabolites.
This approach broadens the scope, covering not only specific molecules but also classes of compounds with similar pharmacological profiles.
4. Claim Limitations and Scope Boundaries
While broad claims enhance protection, they are constrained by patentability requirements, including novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. The scope is also limited by prior art references and existing patents, which can influence authorities' acceptability of breadth.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. Related Patent Families and Prior Art
The patent landscape reveals multiple patents and patent applications targeting similar chemical classes or therapeutic uses. Notable references include:
- Competitor patents on heterocyclic compounds with anticancer activity.
- Earlier patents on kinase inhibitors, given the typical focus of such compounds.
- Recent publications on related targets, indicating active R&D in this space.
This landscape underscores a competitive environment where patent drafting must balance broad protection with defendability against prior art.
2. Patent Filings and Jurisdictional Strategy
Filing under PCT indicates an intent to secure global rights, potentially in major markets such as the US, Europe, Japan, and China. The applicant likely strategizes to extend protection through national phase entries, leveraging the initial broad claims proven patentable in the WO publication.
3. Litigation and Licensing Environment
Earlier similar patents, especially those covering well-established drug classes, can influence licensing negotiations, infringement risks, and enforcement strategies. The patent’s strength depends on its novelty over contemporaneous art and its inventive step, especially given the extensive prior art in heterocyclic pharmaceuticals.
4. Technological Trends and Research Directions
Analysis of the patent family and related literature suggests evolving trends toward multi-target compounds, improved pharmacokinetic profiles, and personalized medicine approaches. WO2013048558 contributes to this landscape by claiming flexible chemical scaffolds adaptable to various therapeutic needs.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical companies should assess freedom-to-operate by examining similar patents, especially those claiming core structures and therapeutic methods.
- Research institutions must consider licensing opportunities or patent collaboration.
- Legal practitioners should scrutinize claim language for potential infringement risks and validity considerations.
Conclusion
WO2013048558 exemplifies a comprehensive approach to patenting pharmaceutical innovations, characterized by broad claims covering chemical entities, therapeutic uses, and formulations. Its strategic positioning within a competitive landscape necessitates ongoing vigilance to prior art and jurisdictional filing strategies. The patent's scope enhances the holder’s commercial positioning but requires clear boundary setting to withstand legal challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Broad Claims: The patent claims a class of chemical compounds with versatile substituents and therapeutic applications, offering extensive protection against related innovations.
- Strategic Scope: Combining composition, use, and formulation claims maximizes the patent’s coverage across development stages.
- Competitive Landscape: The patent operates within a high-density patent space targeting heterocyclic pharmaceuticals, emphasizing the importance of robust patent drafting.
- Jurisdictional Strategy: PCT filing demonstrates intent to obtain international protection; subsequent national phase entries will be critical.
- Legal and Commercial Impacts: The patent underpins potential licensing, R&D, and litigation pathways, shaping strategic decisions for stakeholders.
FAQs
Q1: What types of claims are typically included in WO2013048558, and how do they define the scope?
The claims include composition claims (covering chemical structures), method claims (therapeutic applications), use claims (indications), and formulation claims. These collectively define a broad scope, protecting various chemical variants and therapeutic methods.
Q2: How does WO2013048558 compare with prior art in similar therapeutic areas?
The patent likely extends existing knowledge by claiming novel chemical scaffolds and specific substituents, distinguished from prior art through inventive steps demonstrated during prosecution. Nonetheless, prior patents on heterocyclic compounds and kinase inhibitors are relevant references.
Q3: Why is the PCT route advantageous for this patent?
Filing under PCT allows an applicant to seek protection in multiple countries under a single process, streamlining international patent strategy and providing ample time to evaluate market potential before entering national phases.
Q4: What are the risks involved in the broad scope of the patent claims?
Broad claims may face rejection or invalidation if challenged by prior art. Overly broad claims can also lead to infringement disputes, making precise claim crafting essential.
Q5: How does patent landscape analysis influence R&D and licensing strategies?
Understanding existing patents guides innovation focus, prevents infringement, and identifies licensing opportunities or potential freedom-to-operate issues. It provides a strategic advantage in negotiations and legal defenses.
References
- WIPO Patent Publication WO2013048558.
- Patent landscape reports on heterocyclic pharmaceuticals and kinase inhibitors.
- Strategic patenting guides under PCT.
