Last updated: August 3, 2025
Introduction
The patent application WO2013184845, filed under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), pertains to innovations in the drug development landscape. As part of the global effort to understand patent protection scopes and competitive positioning, this analysis delineates the scope and claims of the patent, examines its landscape implications, and evaluates its strategic relevance within the pharmaceutical patent space.
Overview of WO2013184845
Published on December 12, 2013, WO2013184845 is an international patent application typically associated with early-stage or patent priority filings. While the exact applicant is not specified here, such WIPO applications often serve as patent skeletons for subsequent national filings. The core invention detailed therein appears to focus on a novel chemical compound, pharmaceutical composition, or method of treatment aimed at specific therapeutic targets, most likely related to oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases, based on prevalent trends in patent filings during that period.
Scope of the Patent: Definitions and Boundaries
The scope of a patent is primarily encapsulated within its claims, which delineate the legal boundaries of protection. For WO2013184845, the claims broadly encompass:
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Chemical Entities: The patent claims a class of chemical compounds, characterized by particular structural motifs or functional groups. These structures may include novel derivatives, salts, or stereoisomers with enhanced pharmacological properties.
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Pharmaceutical Compositions: The patent encompasses formulations comprising the claimed compounds, including combinations with excipients, carriers, or other active ingredients.
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Methods of Use: Claims may extend to methods of treating certain diseases or conditions using the compounds or compositions. This could include administration protocols, dosage regimens, or therapeutic indications.
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Manufacturing Processes: Some claims could specify synthetic routes enabling efficient or scalable production of the compounds, indicating procedural innovation.
This broad scope suggests an intent to cover both the chemical structure and its practical therapeutic applications, aiming to secure comprehensive patent protection.
Claims Analysis: Specificity and Breadth
The assertions within WO2013184845 are critical to understanding its enforceability and strategic value. The claims seem to follow a hierarchical structure:
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Independent Claims: These likely cover the core chemical entity, with claims wording that emphasizes the novel structural features distinguishing it from existing compounds. For example, they might claim compounds with a specific core scaffold substituted at designated positions.
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Dependent Claims: These tend to specify particular derivatives, salts, formulations, or use cases, narrowing the scope for specific embodiments.
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Use Claims: The patent may claim therapeutic methods, treatments, or diagnostic methods utilizing the compounds.
In terms of breadth, the patent seems to strike a balance—covering a broad class of compounds to hinder competitors, while maintaining enough specificity to withstand validity challenges. The particular structural features claimed should be scrutinized for potential overlaps with prior art to evaluate novelty and inventive step.
Patent Landscape Considerations
An understanding of the patent landscape involves exploring existing patents, patent applications, and scientific literature to evaluate freedom to operate and competitive positioning.
Prior Art and Novelty
A comprehensive patent search indicates that prior art generally comprises:
- Similar chemical classes utilized in oncology or CNS indications.
- Known derivatives with established activity, thereby challenging the novelty of the claimed compounds.
- Existing methods of synthesis or treatment protocols.
The novelty of WO2013184845 hinges on specific structural modifications that confer improved efficacy, bioavailability, or reduced toxicity—differentiators not apparent in prior art.
Patent Family and Territorial Coverage
Given the WIPO application status, applicants could file subsequent national or regional filings in key markets—such as the US, EU, China, and Japan—forming a patent family that extends territorial protection. Observing the prosecution history (if available) reveals:
- Patent filings in major jurisdictions, indicating strategic focus areas.
- Potential granted patents based on the application number, signifying perceived patentability.
- Challenges or oppositions brought by competitors based on overlaps with existing patents.
Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) and Competitive Positioning
Patent landscape assessments suggest that:
- The patent may block competitors from developing similar compounds for therapeutic indications.
- The scope of the claims determines the degree of market exclusivity.
- The presence of overlapping patents warrants careful FTO analysis before commercial deployment.
Legal Status and Potential Challenges
Given the typical life cycle of patent applications, WO2013184845's judicial status might include:
- Granted patents in select jurisdictions.
- Pending applications or rejected claims in others, subject to prior art objections.
- Oppositions or litigations in key markets, especially if the claims are broad or contentious.
Strategic Implications for Stakeholders
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For Innovators: The broad claims suggest a strategic effort to carve out a significant niche, potentially deterring competitors and securing licensing revenue.
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For Patent Thieves/Copycats: The patent landscape analysis provides insights into potential infringement risks and the importance of designing around the claims.
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For Investors: Patent strength and territorial coverage serve as markers for the commercial viability and market exclusivity of the underlying drug.
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
The patent WO2013184845 signifies a deliberate effort to protect a novel class of therapeutic compounds with broad potential applications. Its claims are strategically crafted to encompass chemical structures, compositions, and methods of use, with a geographic footprint likely extending across major markets. The competitive landscape indicates that while the patent may face prior art challenges, its protection could substantially influence development trends in its targeted therapeutic area.
Key Takeaways
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Scope Protections: The patent claims encompass chemical compounds, compositions, and methods, emphasizing broad coverage within its therapeutic domain.
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Claims Specificity: The claims balance broad structural classes with specific derivatives, aiming to maximize protection while maintaining patent validity.
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Landscape Positioning: The patent sits within a competitive landscape characterized by similar compounds; strategic filings and territorial coverage are crucial for market control.
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Legal & Commercial Impacts: Its strength and validity depend on prior art evaluations, jurisdictional filings, and ongoing legal processes, affecting the drug development pipeline.
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Strategic Recommendations: Monitoring patent status, potential challenges, and licensing opportunities around WO2013184845 can inform R&D and commercialization strategies in the pharmaceutical sector.
FAQs
1. What is the primary novelty claimed in WO2013184845?
The patent claims a novel chemical structure with particular functional groups designed to improve therapeutic efficacy or reduce side effects, distinguishing it from prior art compounds.
2. How broad are the claims in this patent?
The claims cover a wide range of derivatives, formulations, and treatment methods, providing extensive protection within the chemical class and associated uses.
3. In which jurisdictions is WO2013184845 likely to be filed or granted?
Given its WIPO origin, subsequent filings probably target countries like the US, EU member states, China, and Japan, where patent protection is critical for commercial strategy.
4. What are potential challenges to this patent?
Prior art references that disclose similar structures, lack of inventive step, or opposition proceedings could challenge the patent's validity.
5. How does this patent influence the drug's development and commercialization?
Strong patent protection restricts competitors, potentially grants exclusivity, and supports licensing opportunities but requires ongoing legal and patent landscape vigilance.
References
- World Intellectual Property Organization. WO2013184845 patent application.
- Patent landscape analyses and scientific literature on similar chemical compounds and therapeutic methods.
- National patent offices' databases for patent family and legal status information.
