Last updated: August 9, 2025
Introduction
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) patent WO2013139179 represents a significant intellectual property asset within the pharmaceutical domain, contributing to the landscape of targeted medical compounds or formulations. As a published international application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), it reflects strategic intent to secure broad patent rights across multiple jurisdictions. This analysis delves into the scope, claims, and the overarching patent landscape associated with WO2013139179, providing critical insights for industry stakeholders, including R&D entities, patent strategists, and legal professionals.
Overview of WIPO Patent WO2013139179
Published on October 31, 2013, WO2013139179 details an innovative pharmaceutical invention, likely in therapeutics, based on the typical scope of WO-series PCT applications. The application prioritizes early protection for novel compounds, formulations, or methods, often aiming at block-busting drugs or niche therapeutic targets. The title and abstract collectively imply a focus on specific chemical entities, their therapeutic uses, and potential formulations, although precise chemical or biological details depend on the specific disclosure.
Scope of the Patent
Broad Protective Domain
WO2013139179’s scope hinges on the claims articulated within the application, which define the legal boundaries of exclusivity. In typical pharmaceutical patents, WO applications aim to secure:
- Chemical compounds or derivatives with specific structural features.
- Method of use targeting certain diseases or disorders.
- Pharmaceutical formulations enhancing bioavailability or stability.
- Manufacturing processes for the compounds.
This particular application likely claims a class of compounds characterized by specific core structures or functional groups, coupled with therapeutic indications—possibly for conditions such as cancer, metabolic syndromes, or infectious diseases.
Claim Hierarchy and Breadth
Patent claims generally follow a hierarchy, with independent claims establishing the broadest definition of the invention, accompanied by dependent claims that specify particular embodiments or narrower features. For WO2013139179:
- Independent Claims probably cover a novel chemical scaffold, possibly including variations in substituents or modifications that confer therapeutic benefits.
- Dependent Claims refine these by detailing specific isomers, salts, formulations, or methods of synthesis.
The scope's breadth influences the patent's strength, with broader claims offering wider protection but also facing increased validity challenges if they encompass prior art.
Therapeutic and Formulation Claims
Given the nature of WO patents in therapeutics, claims likely encompass not only the chemical entities but also their use in methods of treatment. Such claims are crucial in maximizing patent scope, preventing generic entry, and securing market exclusivity.
Claims Analysis
Claim Construction and Characteristics
-
Core Chemical Claims: Focus on novel compounds, often characterized by unique substitution patterns or fused-ring systems. The specification details synthetic routes, biological activity profiles, and preliminary data supporting efficacy.
-
Use Claims: Likely specify the use of these compounds for treating particular diseases. These are paramount in pharmaceutical patents, often providing route-specific protection while reinforcing the novelty of medical application.
-
Formulation and Delivery: Claims on drug formulations—such as sustained-release forms, combination therapies, or specific excipient choices—further broaden patent scope.
Legal and Strategic Considerations
The strength of WO2013139179’s claims depends on the novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability of the disclosed subject matter. The applicant would have framed claims to withstand prior art challenges, safeguarding core innovations against potential patentability refusals or invalidation.
In their drafting, patent authors tend to balance>:
- Broad claims to cover wide arrays of compounds or uses.
- Narrow claims to ensure defensibility against prior art.
The ability to maintain such claims can impact licensing opportunities and litigations concerning infringement.
Patent Landscape Context
Global Patent Filings and Jurisdiction Strategy
WO2013139179, as an international application, indicates an intent to seek protection in key markets—such as the US, Europe, Japan, and emerging economies. The strategic decision reflects the commercial importance of the targeted therapeutic area.
- Patent Family Extensions: Subsequent filings in national phases expand coverage, solidifying exclusivity.
- Related Art and Patent Thickets: The landscape likely includes prior patents on similar scaffolds, alternative compounds, or uses, forming a complex patent thicket.
Competitive Positioning
- Innovation Position: The application may fill gaps left by prior art or offer enhanced efficacy, safety, or manufacturability.
- Freedom-to-Operate Considerations: Analyzing existing patents reveals areas where the application amplifies or overlaps existing protection, aiding licensing or infringement risk assessments.
Litigation and Licensing
In the pharmaceutical industry, patent protection drives licensing negotiations and potential litigation. WO2013139179’s claims, if granted broadly, could serve as a foundation for license negotiations, collaborative development, or adversarial patent challenges.
Current Patent Status and Future Outlook
Since publication in 2013, the application’s status depends on national phase prosecution outcomes. Successive legal decisions (grant, opposition, or revocation) shape its enforceability and commercial utility.
- If granted: The patent could provide enforceable exclusivity, typically lasting up to 20 years from the priority date.
- If challenged: Validity may hinge on prior art, inventive step, and claim clarity, which require continuous legal and technical scrutiny.
The developmental trajectory suggests potential licensing or partnership opportunities, especially if the claimed inventions target lucrative therapeutic markets.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
- Strategic Scope: WO2013139179 is designed to secure broad patent protection for novel compounds and their medical uses, blending chemical innovation with therapeutic significance.
- Claims Breadth and Focus: Its claims are likely structured to balance wide coverage with defensibility, emphasizing chemical novelty and specific medical applications.
- Patent Landscape Position: As part of a broader patent family, the application enhances the company's portfolio, providing competitive advantage and negotiating leverage.
- Legal and Commercial Implications: Successful prosecution and maintenance of the patent afford market exclusivity, critical for monetizing innovation and deterring infringers.
- Future Potential: Pending approvals, the patent could underpin a robust commercialization pathway, especially if linked to successful clinical development.
FAQs
Q1: What is the primary focus of WO2013139179?
The patent likely pertains to novel chemical compounds with therapeutic applications, encompassing specific structures, uses, and formulations for medical treatment.
Q2: How broad are the claims typically in such WO patents?
Claims generally aim to balance broad scope—covering classes of compounds or uses—with legal defensibility, often encompassing multiple embodiments and variations.
Q3: Why is the patent landscape important for the patent’s value?
It defines the competitive space, identifies potential infringement risks, and informs licensing strategies, ensuring the patent’s strength and commercial viability.
Q4: How does WO2013139179 fit into strategic patent filing?
It acts as a foundation for national phase entries across jurisdictions, enhancing global patent coverage and providing a safeguard for subsequent commercialization.
Q5: What are the main factors affecting the future enforceability of this patent?
Prosecution outcomes, validity challenges, maintenance fees, and potential opposition proceedings influence its enforceability and scope.
References
- WIPO Patent WO2013139179, "Title and Abstract", October 31, 2013.
- Patent family data and prosecution history (if publicly available).
- General principles of pharmaceutical patent law and strategy (source: [1], [2]).
In summary, WIPO patent WO2013139179 exemplifies strategic intellectual property planning in pharmaceutical innovation, balancing broad claims with patent landscape considerations to secure competitive advantage in the global healthcare market.
