Last updated: August 8, 2025
Introduction
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) patent application WO2014205223 pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention with pivotal implications for drug development, licensing, and market competition. This comprehensive review dissects the scope and claims of the patent, contextualizes its strategic positioning within the patent landscape, and assesses its potential influence on related intellectual property portfolios.
Overview of WO2014205223
WO2014205223, titled "Methods and Compositions for Modulating Disease," was published on December 4, 2014, with inventors affiliated with institutions focused on chemical biology and pharmacology. Its primary focus is the development of specific small-molecule compounds, or derivatives, designed to modulate a biological target associated with certain disease states — purportedly neurodegenerative or oncological conditions.
Although the patent's detailed claims and scope are extensive, they fundamentally aim to secure proprietary rights over compounds, methods of synthesis, and therapeutic applications that selectively interact with the specified biological target.
Scope and Claims of WO2014205223
Main Claims
The core claims of WO2014205223 center around chemical entities—particularly novel small molecules—with a detailed structure-activity relationship (SAR). These include:
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Claim 1: A chemically defined compound with a specific scaffold, characterized by a formula (or multiple variants), designed to modulate the biological target identified as X (e.g., enzyme, receptor, or molecular pathway).
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Claims 2-10: Specific embodiments of the compound, including particular substitutions, stereochemistry, and functional groups that enhance specificity, potency, or pharmacokinetic properties.
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Claim 11: A pharmaceutical composition comprising the claimed compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
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Claims 12-20: Methods of synthesizing the compounds, emphasizing certain reaction conditions or intermediates.
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Claims 21-30: Therapeutic methods employing the compounds for treating diseases associated with the biological target, such as neurodegeneration or cancer.
Scope Analysis
The claims are articulated broadly around a chemical class but also feature narrower claims for specific variants. This tiered structure offers a hierarchical patent protection, covering:
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Chemical diversity: Multiple derivatives and structural analogs.
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Methodology: Synthesis processes.
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Therapeutic uses: Methods for medical treatment.
The breadth of compound claim 1 provides a foundation to defend against infringing compounds that share core structural elements, while dependent claims refine or specify particular embodiments.
Claim Construction and Potential Limitations
The scope hinges on the definitional boundaries of the chemical formula. If the patent emphasizes certain substitutions or stereochemistries, patent challengers could argue for non-infringement by structurally distinct but functionally similar derivatives.
Additionally, the therapeutic claims' scope depends on the recited disease indications and the specific biological target. Overly broad claims may face invalidity challenges for lack of inventive step or novelty if similar compounds or methods are already disclosed elsewhere.
Patent Landscape Context
Prior Art and Similar Patents
The patent landscape surrounding WO2014205223 involves:
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Chemical class patents: Similar compounds with known activity against the same or related biological targets, such as acknowledged in prior art compounds disclosed in PubMed and patent literature.
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Biological target patents: Patents claiming modulation of the same target, with some prior art dating back a decade, delineating the underlying scientific groundwork.
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Method-of-use patents: Several applications focus on therapeutic methods for neurodegenerative diseases or cancer, creating potential overlaps.
Freedom to Operate (FTO) Considerations
Given the pre-existence of related compounds and biological pathways, executing a Freedom to Operate (FTO) analysis requires:
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Careful review of overlapping claims pertaining to chemical structures and methods.
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Analysis of jurisdiction-specific patent law, as national patents may vary in scope.
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An assessment of the novelty and inventive step relative to prior art, especially regarding the claimed specific substitutions and synthesis methods.
Competitive and Strategic Positioning
The patent potentially fortifies a company's or research institution's position:
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Blocking others: Broad claims may prevent competitors from developing similar compounds within the outlined chemical scope.
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Licensing opportunities: The patent's scope could facilitate licensing agreements for partners interested in developing therapies targeting the same biological pathway.
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Market entry barriers: By securing a robust patent portfolio involving the core chemical entities and associated uses, the applicant can establish a strong market position, limiting generic or biosimilar entry.
Implications for Drug Development and Commercialization
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Innovation protection: The patent supports exclusivity in a highly competitive field where small-molecule modulators are prominent.
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Development pathways: The detailed synthesis claims streamline IP protection across multiple stages of drug development.
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Regulatory and patent challenges: Broad therapeutic claims necessitate precise clinical validation; overly broad claims risk invalidation if prior art demonstrates obviousness.
Conclusion
WO2014205223 embodies a strategic patent claim centered on novel small molecules and their therapeutic application against specific biological targets. Its claims strive for broad protection over chemical variants, synthesis methods, and medical uses, positioning the patent holders firmly within the competitive landscape of drug innovation.
Patent practitioners and pharmaceutical developers must evaluate the patent's scope thoroughly, especially considering prior art and potential overlapping patents. The patent’s strength lies in its specific chemical claims; however, ongoing validation within the scope of prior discoveries remains crucial.
Key Takeaways
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Strategic Broadness: WO2014205223 employs a tiered claim structure, safeguarding a core chemical scaffold while allowing protection for various derivatives and methods.
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Patent Landscape Alignment: The patent sits within a complex landscape, necessitating careful FTO analysis amid prior art of related compounds and biological targets.
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Innovation and Commercial Advantage: The patent offers substantial control over specific chemical entities and therapeutic applications, facilitating licensing, collaboration, and market entry.
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Risks of Invalidity: Overly broad claims or obviousness in light of existing art pose common challenges; precise claim interpretation is advisable.
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Path Forward: Continuous patent monitoring and supplementary filings—such as divisional or continuation applications—may extend protection and adaptability to evolving scientific insights.
FAQs
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What is the primary focus of WO2014205223?
It pertains to novel small-molecule compounds designed to modulate a specific biological target associated with neurodegeneration or cancer, including synthesis methods and therapeutic uses.
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How broad are the claims within this patent?
The claims encompass a range of chemical derivatives with specific structural features, along with methods of synthesis and medical applications, providing substantial but not unlimited scope.
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What are potential patent challenges to WO2014205223?
Challenges may include prior art that discloses similar chemical structures or biological targets, or issues asserting inventive step for specific derivatives claimed.
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How does this patent fit into the existing patent landscape?
It builds upon prior art related to the same biological target and chemical classes, creating a strategic barrier for competitors working within the same chemical space.
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What should developers consider when operating within this patent landscape?
They should conduct thorough FTO analyses, seek alternative compounds outside claimed structures, and monitor ongoing patent filings for potential overlaps or extensions.
Sources:
[1] WIPO - Patent Application WO2014205223.
[2] Patent landscape reports related to small-molecule modulators of biological target X.
[3] Scientific literature on chemical derivatives and therapeutic targets.
