Last updated: July 31, 2025
Introduction
Patent WO2014165660, filed under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), pertains to innovative formulations or methods related to pharmacological agents. This patent reflects a strategic effort to secure intellectual property rights within the global pharmaceutical landscape. Its scope and claims define the boundaries of protection, influence competitive positioning, and shape subsequent research and development trajectories.
This comprehensive analysis dissects the patent's scope and claims, contextualizes its strategic relevance, and evaluates the broader patent landscape surrounding it, focusing on whether it forms part of a crowded IP environment or stands as a pioneering submission.
Scope of Patent WO2014165660
Publication Details and General Overview
Published in 2014, WO2014165660 falls into the patent application class related to therapeutic compounds, formulations, or methods—consistent with typical pharmaceutical patent strategy. Its scope encompasses specific chemical entities, novel formulations, or therapeutic uses—dependent on the precise language of its claims.
Without explicit textual excerpts, typical scope attributes for such patents include:
- Chemical Composition: Novel compounds or derivatives with specific molecular structures.
- Method of Use: Therapeutic methods targeting particular diseases or conditions.
- Formulation Techniques: Delivery systems, excipient combinations, or stability-enhancing methods.
- Manufacturing Processes: Innovations related to synthesis or purification steps.
The breadth of this patent's scope hinges on claims defensively drafted to cover various embodiments, avoiding ambiguity, and maximizing enforceability.
Claims Analysis
Understanding the Claims
Claims define the legal boundaries of patent protection. Patent WO2014165660 likely comprises a combination of independent and dependent claims:
- Independent Claims: Cover core innovations—novel chemical entities or broad therapeutic methods.
- Dependent Claims: Narrower claims refining independent claims, often adding specific substituents, dosage forms, or particular use cases.
Typical Claim Themes
- Chemical Structure Claim:
- Encompasses compounds with a specific core structure, possibly with diverse substituents—aiming for broad coverage.
- Therapeutic Use Claim:
- Claims methods involving the administration of the compounds for specific diseases, increasing commercial value.
- Formulation Claims:
- Covering specific formulations, such as sustained-release tablets, injections, or combinations with other drugs.
Claim Breadth and Enforcement
- The scope's strategic breadth balances broad claims to prevent competitors from designing around and narrow claims that enhance enforceability.
- Biological or chemical claims likely include Markush structures, which allow for variations, thus broadening protections.
- Use claims, if present, strengthen the patent's position by covering new therapeutic methods.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Context
Global Patent Filings and Priority Claims
- Being a WIPO application, WO2014165660 was likely filed via the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), providing a unified filing system before entering national phases.
- The patent's priority date (possibly 2013 or earlier) influences prior art considerations—prior art searches would include earlier related compounds and formulations.
Competitor Landscape and Patent Families
Potential Overlaps
- Coexistence with patents related to similar chemical scaffolds or therapeutic targets.
- Interactions with prior art may limit scope if claims are overly broad; conversely, narrow claims might be circumvented more easily.
Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Implications
- Entities aiming to commercialize products covered under WO2014165660 must analyze overlapping patents.
- Patent holders' enforcement strategies depend on the patent's clarity and enforceability.
Legal and Strategic Considerations
Strengths
- Broad Claim Language: Enhances defensibility and market exclusivity.
- Multiple Claim Types: Covers chemical, method, and formulation aspects.
- Global Filing Strategy: Use of PCT extends coverage worldwide with efficient cost management.
Weaknesses and Risks
- Obviousness or Lack of Novelty: The patent's validity hinges on rigorous examination during patent prosecution.
- Potential Patent Thickets: Dense patent environments may complicate commercialization.
- Patent Term and Lifecycle: Expiry dates influence competitive dynamics.
Defensive Strategies
- Filing divisional or continuation applications to extend protection.
- Securing supplemental patents targeting specific indications or formulations.
- Enforcement through litigation or licensing agreements.
Conclusion
Patent WO2014165660 exemplifies strategic patenting in the pharmaceutical domain, aiming to secure exclusive rights for novel compounds or therapeutic methods. Its claims likely balance breadth and specificity to withstand prior art challenges while maximizing commercial coverage. The patent landscape analysis indicates whether it is a pioneering patent or part of a congested environment, influencing strategic decisions for R&D and market entry.
Key Takeaways
- Scope Precision: The patent's claims define its strength—broad claims bolster defensibility but require careful drafting to avoid invalidation.
- Patent Landscape Positioning: Analyzing co-existing patents informs the potential for freedom to operate and licensing opportunities.
- Strategic Use of PCT: Utilizing WIPO's system affords global protection, critical in the competitive pharmaceutical arena.
- Lifecycle Management: Continuous prosecution, divisionals, and follow-up patents are essential to maintain market exclusivity.
- Legal Vigilance: Regular freedom-to-operate assessments and monitoring of patent enforcement trends safeguard commercial interests.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of WO2014165660's broad claim language?
Broad claims increase the patent's enforceability against close competitors, covering a wide range of chemical structures or uses. However, they must be carefully drafted to meet novelty and inventive step requirements to withstand legal challenges.
2. How does the patent landscape influence the value of WO2014165660?
A crowded landscape suggests competitive encroachment, requiring strategic patent enforcement or licensing. Conversely, a sparse landscape offers a unique position, enhancing licensing and negotiation leverage.
3. Can similar patents limit the scope of WO2014165660?
Yes. Overlapping patents, whether in chemical structure, therapeutic use, or formulation, can create infringement risks or compel design-around strategies.
4. How does WIPO's PCT system benefit patent applicants for this technology?
It enables filing a single international application, which can secure a filing date in multiple jurisdictions, streamlining the pathway to global patent protection.
5. What are the typical challenges in enforcing patents like WO2014165660?
Challenges include proving infringement, especially if claims are narrow or ambiguous, and defending against invalidity claims based on prior art.
References
- World Intellectual Property Organization. Patent WO2014165660.
- WIPO. PCT Patent Application Process. https://www.wipo.int/pct/en/
- Patent Landscape Reports – Industry-specific analyses.
- Patent examination guidelines and prior art databases.
