Last updated: September 3, 2025
Introduction
Patent WO2014190248, filed under the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) system, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention. This document, designated as an international patent application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), indicates an ambition for global patent protection. Analyzing the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape surrounding this filing provides critical insights into its technological significance, potential market influence, and competitive positioning within the pharmaceutical innovation ecosystem.
Patent Scope and Classification
Patent WO2014190248 primarily falls within the pharmacological and medicinal domain, specifically targeting compounds or formulations with potential therapeutic applications. Its classification, according to the International Patent Classification (IPC), aligns with:
- A61K — Preparations for medical, dental, or cosmetic purposes
- A61P — Therapeutic activity of chemical compounds or medicinal preparations
This classification suggests that the invention revolves around novel chemical entities, formulations, or methods for treating particular diseases.
Scope of the Patent:
The scope encompasses:
- Novel chemical compounds or derivatives exhibiting desirable pharmacological activity.
- Specific formulations enhancing bioavailability, stability, or patient compliance.
- Use claims covering therapeutic applications or methods of treatment.
- Potential combination therapies involving the inventive compounds.
Claims Analysis
The claims form the core of the patent's legal enforceability. Typically, WO2014190248 comprises a series of independent and dependent claims. The analysis provided here pinpoints the strategic positioning of the claims.
Key Elements of the Claims
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Compound Claims:
- The strongest claims define novel chemical structures with specific substituents or stereochemistry.
- These claim language specifies the chemical formula, possibly including Markush structures to cover multiple variants.
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Method of Preparation:
- Claims may include synthetic pathways or intermediates leading to the production of the compounds.
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Pharmacological Use:
- Claims extend to therapeutic applications, notably for targeting conditions such as cancer, neurological disorder, or infectious disease (depending on the specific claims).
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Formulation Claims:
- Claims may specify pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds along with carriers or excipients.
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Selective Claiming:
- The claims are likely structured from broad to narrow, ensuring wide coverage initially and narrowing through dependent claims for specific embodiments.
Claim strategy appears aimed at securing broad protection over the chemical class, with narrower claims addressing specific uses or formulations, thus optimizing enforceability across jurisdictions.
Patent Landscape Context
Position in the Patent Ecosystem:
Innovation Distinction:
- The inventive step likely hinges on:
- Unique chemical modifications.
- Improved pharmacokinetic profiles.
- Demonstrated efficacy in specific disease models.
Freedom to Operate (FTO) Analysis:
- Given the patent's broad claims, potential licensees or competitors need FTO assessments within the existing patent landscape.
- Many existing patents focus on related chemical classes, especially in the pharmaceutical sector targeting similar pathways.
Potential Challenges:
- Obviousness: Chemical modifications may be scrutinized for obviousness over prior art.
- Patentability of biological data supporting claimed therapeutic effects could be challenged if insufficient.
Legal and Commercial Implications
- The patent’s international filing indicates strategic intent to secure global market exclusivity.
- The scope suggests valuable rights over a promising compound series, especially if backed by clinical data.
- Patent holders may pursue national phase filings in key jurisdictions such as the US, EU, China, and Japan.
Conclusion
WO2014190248 encapsulates a broad and strategically important patent application covering novel chemical entities with potential therapeutic applications. Its claim architecture emphasizes wide protection over the chemical class, complemented by narrower claims on specific uses. The patent landscape features numerous related filings, reflecting intense R&D activity in targeted pharmaceuticals. Careful FTO analyses and strategic patent prosecution will be essential for maximized commercial impact.
Key Takeaways
- Scope is broad but strategically structured: Covering chemical compounds, formulations, and methods of use.
- Claims emphasize innovation over prior art: Focused on specific chemical modifications with therapeutic relevance.
- Patents in aligned fields are numerous: Necessitating thorough landscape and freedom-to-operate assessments.
- Strategic patent prosecution critical: To maintain enforceability and prevent your competitors from circumventing claims.
- Global protection through PCT: The filing indicates intent for broad international market reach, emphasizing the importance of local patent rights.
FAQs
1. What gives WO2014190248 a competitive advantage in the pharmaceutical patent landscape?
Its broad chemical and use claims, coupled with strategic formulation protections, provide potential for extensive market exclusivity in targeted therapeutic areas.
2. How does this patent impact existing patent portfolios?
It potentially overlaps with related chemical classes and therapeutic claims; thus, FTO and infringement analyses are necessary for competitors and licensees.
3. What are the main considerations for prosecuting such patents?
Ensuring novelty over prior art, clear description of inventive steps, and demonstrating therapeutic efficacy are key to overcoming examiners’ objections.
4. Can broad chemical claims be maintained over time?
Prosecutors often narrow claims during examination; positioning claims around specific, non-obvious chemical features improves longevity.
5. How does the patent landscape influence R&D decisions in pharmaceuticals?
Dense patent landscapes can deter innovation in overlapping areas, but also highlight fertile ground for novel developments and licensing opportunities.
References
[1] WIPO Patent WO2014190248, Global Patent Application, 2014.
[2] European Patent Office Patent Data.
[3] United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Patent Data.
[4] Patent landscape reports on targeted cancer therapies, 2022.
