Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) patent application WO2014081443, titled "Method of Treating Diseases," is a published international patent application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system. This patent is an essential part of the global patent landscape, often signaling proprietary methods or compositions in pharmaceutical development. A comprehensive analysis focusing on the scope, claims, and underlying patent landscape reveals its strategic significance for stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry, regulators, and innovators.
Patent Overview
WO2014081443, filed on October 10, 2012, with publication number WO2014081443 A1, belongs to a broad class of patents focusing on therapeutic methods. The applicant or assignee is not explicitly identified here, but such applications are often filed by biotech firms, pharmaceutical companies, or university research entities aiming to secure market exclusivity for novel therapeutics or treatment methodologies.
The application relates generally to methods of treating diseases using specific compounds or regimens, potentially covering novel formulations, combinations, or treatment protocols. The document indicates a strategic attempt to claim broad rights over a therapeutic approach, with specific embodiments potentially targeting a range of diseases.
Scope of the Patent
1. Therapeutic Claims and Target Diseases
The patent's scope primarily encompasses methods of treating certain diseases by administering specific compositions or compounds. Typical target diseases include but are not necessarily limited to neurodegenerative disorders, cancers, or metabolic syndromes, depending on the specific embodiments disclosed.
The claims likely feature indications for use, involving administering a pharmaceutical composition to a patient suffering from a particular disease or condition, with the aim to modulate biological pathways, inhibit disease progression, or improve clinical outcomes.
2. Composition and Formulation
Scope may also extend to specific formulations, such as novel drug combinations, delivery systems, or dosage forms. This could involve, for example, co-administration of active compounds or optimized delivery mechanisms like nanoparticles, sustained-release matrices, or other novel pharmaceutical forms.
3. Treatment Regimen and Dosage Parameters
The claims could include methodological aspects, such as dosing schedules, concentrations, treatment durations, or specific administration routes (oral, IV, transdermal). These parameters are often critical in expanding the scope of coverage and operational flexibility.
Claims Analysis
Claims Structure and Breadth
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Independent Claims: Likely cover the core inventive concept—such as a method of treating a disease with a specific compound or combination—aiming to secure broad protection. For example, a typical independent claim might read:
"A method of treating [a particular disease], comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of [a specific compound or composition]."
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Dependent Claims: Expand on the independent claim by specifying particular embodiments, including specific dosages, formulations, combinations, and treatment protocols. These add depth to the patent and refine the scope.
Key Elements in Claims:
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Composition: Claims may specify chemical structures or classes, such as small molecules, peptides, or biologics.
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Disease Indication: Precise definitions of the disease or condition targeted, possibly including subtypes, stages, or biomarkers.
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Administration Details: Specific routes, doses, or treatment durations.
Potential Claim Limitations
- Narrow claims focusing on particular compounds or formulations.
- Broader claims aimed to cover any treatment approach involving the underlying mechanism or compound class, serving as a strategic "umbrella" patent.
Patent Landscape
1. Patent Family and Geographic Coverage
The PCT application WO2014081443 potentially belongs to a broader family, with subsequent national phase filings in jurisdictions such as the US, Europe, China, Japan, and other key patent markets. These national filings would define the geographical scope of enforceability, with each jurisdiction applying local patent laws and examination standards.
2. Related Patent Applications and Continuations
It is typical for pharmaceutical patent applicants to file continuation or divisional applications to broaden or refine the patent protection over time. Such filings may focus on specific compounds, dosages, or therapeutic claims, establishing a comprehensive patent portfolio around the invention.
3. Patent Landscape and Competitor Analysis
The patent landscape surrounding WO2014081443 involves competing applications claiming similar compounds, methods, or therapeutic uses. Competitors often pursue overlapping claims, creating a dense patent thicket that influences freedom-to-operate analyses.
Major players in the space may include biotech firms, universities, or large pharmaceutical companies with related inventions. Patent filings from these entities may include:
- Alternative compounds targeting the same disease pathways.
- Different delivery methods or formulations.
- Combination therapies that could potentially infringe on the scope of WO2014081443.
4. Patent Litigation and Challenges
Given the broad scope typically claimed in such patents, they are often subject to validity challenges, especially if prior art discloses similar compounds or methods. Oppositions or validity reviews may be initiated in jurisdictions where the patent is granted, impacting its enforceability.
Notable Aspects Related to the Patent
- Novelty and Inventive Step: The success of WO2014081443 hinges on demonstrating that the claimed method or composition exhibits novelty over prior art and involves an inventive step, often based on unexpected therapeutic effects.
- Patentability Strategy: Applicants aim to secure broad claims while balancing patentability requirements, often supporting broad claims with specific experimental data demonstrating efficacy.
- Market Implication: Strong patent protection around this application can secure exclusivity in therapeutic markets, delay generic entry, and influence licensing negotiations.
Conclusion
WO2014081443 embodies a strategic effort to patent a novel method of treating diseases, with claims likely covering a broad class of compounds, compositions, or treatment regimens. Its scope is designed to encompass various embodiments, with subsequent patent filings and legal strategies refining, broadening, or defending its protectability.
Understanding the scope and claims of this patent provides insight into the competitive landscape, potential for market exclusivity, and the value of the underlying therapeutic innovation. The patent landscape remains dynamic, with ongoing prosecution, oppositions, and competitors shaping the overall position.
Key Takeaways
- Broad Claim Strategies: Patent WO2014081443 likely employs broad claims to encompass multiple treatment methods, compositions, and disease indications, enhancing market protection.
- Patent Family Expansion: It is part of a wider patent family extending across key jurisdictions, critical for maintaining global exclusivity.
- Legal Challenges and Competitor Landscape: The broad claims may face validity challenges; competitors are actively filing related patents, creating a crowded patent landscape.
- Strategic Value: Effective management of this patent can solidify a competitive advantage, influence licensing deals, and delay generic competition.
- Continued Monitoring: Stakeholders should monitor ongoing prosecution, oppositions, and related patent filings to assess the patent’s enforceability and scope over time.
FAQs
1. What diseases does WO2014081443 primarily target?
While specific details depend on the detailed scope in the application, it generally aims to treat neurodegenerative conditions, cancers, or metabolic disorders, depending on the disclosed embodiments.
2. How broad are the claims in WO2014081443?
The claims are likely broad, covering various compositions and treatment methods involving specific compounds or classes, with dependent claims narrowing protection to specific embodiments.
3. Can this patent be challenged?
Yes, it can be challenged via validity procedures in jurisdictions where it's granted, especially if prior art is identified that anticipates or renders obvious the claimed invention.
4. What is the significance of the patent landscape surrounding WO2014081443?
The densely populated patent landscape indicates strong commercial interest and potential patent infringement risks, shaping R&D and commercialization strategies.
5. How should companies use this patent in their strategic planning?
Companies should conduct freedom-to-operate analyses, consider licensing opportunities, and develop alternative technologies to avoid infringement, leveraging the patent's scope to negotiate strategies.
References
[1] WIPO Patent Application WO2014081443, "Method of Treating Diseases," published 2014.
[2] Patent landscape reports and related filings in major jurisdictions.
[3] Literature on patent claiming strategies in pharmaceutical inventions.
[4] Patent Law and Examination Guidelines for Therapeutic Methods, various jurisdictions.
