Last updated: August 2, 2025
Introduction
The patent WO2017160345, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), relates to a novel pharmaceutical invention. This patent application exemplifies a strategic effort to secure intellectual property rights over potentially breakthrough drug formulations or treatment methods. This analysis offers a comprehensive review of the patent's scope and claims, assesses its patent landscape, and provides insights critical for stakeholders—pharmaceutical companies, R&D entities, and patent strategists—interested in leveraging or navigating this patent environment.
Patent Overview and Context
WO2017160345 was published in 2017 under the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty), signaling an international intent to seek patent protection across multiple jurisdictions. While the application number and applicant details are auxiliary, the scope appears to focus on a specific drug compound, its compositions, or therapeutic method.
The core purpose of the invention is to address unmet medical needs—potentially targeting diseases or conditions where existing therapies are inadequate. The application likely encompasses chemical entities, pharmaceutical compositions, manufacturing processes, and therapeutic methods.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of WO2017160345 is defined primarily by its claims, which set the boundaries of legal protection. Analyzing these claims reveals the inventive breadth and potential for comprehensive patent coverage.
Primary Claims:
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Chemical Composition Claims: These typically cover specific compounds or analogs, including structural formulas, stereochemistry, and functional groups. They can range from narrow to broad, depending on the scope of the chemical scope claimed.
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Pharmaceutical Formulations: Claims may extend to compositions including the active compound, excipients, dosage forms, or specific delivery systems.
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Method of Use: Therapeutic methods employing the compound, such as treating particular diseases or conditions.
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Process Claims: Manufacturing processes, purification methods, or synthesis routes enabling the production of the claimed compounds or formulations.
In this patent, claims likely encompass a combination of the above, with the scope tailored to protect not only the compound but also its applications and manufacturing processes.
Scope Analysis:
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The claims' breadth suggests that the patent aims to cover derivatives or analogs closely related to the core compound, thus expanding protection against similar compounds.
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Narrow claims may only protect a specific compound or formulation, while broader claims encompass a class of compounds or therapeutic uses.
Claims Analysis: Specificity and Strategic Implications
Claim Language and Limitations:
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If the claims specify particular chemical structures with defined substituents, the scope remains narrow, offering robust protection but risk of design-around.
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Broad structural claims—covering a class of compounds—maximize patent coverage but can potentially be challenged for lack of novelty or inventive step.
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The claims regarding methods of use can extend the patent's utility, especially if the compound demonstrates efficacy in treating specific diseases.
Claim Dependencies:
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Dependent claims further specify features such as dosage ranges, formulations, or synthesis steps, creating a layered protection strategy.
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The presence of multiple independent claims covering different aspects indicates a holistic approach to safeguard various patent rights.
Patent Landscape Surrounding WO2017160345
Understanding the patent environment surrounding WO2017160345 involves mapping both prior art and subsequent filings.
Prior Art Context:
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This patent application likely builds upon existing chemical and pharmaceutical patents, referencing previous compounds, formulations, or therapeutic methods.
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The landscape may involve combining known pharmacophores with novel modifications claimed here, emphasizing inventive step.
Citations and Family Members:
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WIPO's database indicates that WO2017160345 belongs to a patent family with filings in key jurisdictions like the US, European Patent Office (EPO), China, and Japan, reflecting a strategic global patent prosecution.
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Patent family members extend protection and influence regional patent landscapes, impacting freedom-to-operate assessments for competitors.
Infringement Risks and Legal Challenges:
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Competitors may attempt to design around broad claims or challenge patent validity through prior art submissions.
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The patent's robustness depends on the novelty and inventive step over the prior art, verified through patent examination reports (doctrine of obviousness, novelty, clarity).
Related Patents and Innovation Clusters:
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The landscape reveals related patents focusing on similar drug classes or therapeutic targets, forming a cluster of innovation that defines the competitive environment.
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Cross-referencing these patents identifies areas of innovation density and potential saturation, guiding R&D choices.
Implications for Stakeholders
For Patent Holders:
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WO2017160345’s breadth suggests significant control over a novel therapeutic class or compound.
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Enforcement strategies should include monitoring competing filings and challenging any infringements using territorial patent rights.
For Generics and Competitors:
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Narrow claim scope or specific claimed compounds offer opportunities to develop around or challenge validity.
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Continuous patent landscaping around this space can identify emerging patents or potential freedom-to-operate opportunities.
For R&D and Licensing:
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Licensors can leverage the patent’s protection to negotiate licensing agreements or collaborate on further development.
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Licensees must assess patent validity and scope to avoid infringement or secure rights.
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
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Scope and Claims: WO2017160345 employs a combination of narrow and broad claims encompassing novel compounds, formulations, and therapeutic methods. Its protective scope strategically aims to cover chemical novelty, formulation variations, and use cases.
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Patent Landscape: It resides within a competitive cluster of innovation on similar drug classes, with filings across major jurisdictions. Its strength hinges on the patentability over prior art, the inventive step, and claim breadth.
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Strategic Considerations: Stakeholders must evaluate the patent’s scope vis-à-vis competing patents, monitor its geographical coverage, and assess legal robustness for licensing, development, or challenge purposes.
Key Takeaways
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Holistic Patent Strategy: Effective protection involves a blend of chemical, formulation, and method claims, as exemplified by WO2017160345, to cover diverse innovation facets.
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Landscape Monitoring: A thorough map of related patents helps identify potential infringement risks, licensing opportunities, and areas of saturation.
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Claim Drafting: Strategically broad claims offer maximum protection but require careful crafting to withstand validity challenges, especially in competitive research areas.
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Regional Rights: Developing patent family members across jurisdictions enhances global enforceability and commercial positioning.
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Continuous Innovation: Ongoing research can lead to new claims or alternative compounds that navigate around existing patents, maintaining competitive advantage.
FAQs
1. What is the main inventive aspect of WO2017160345?
The main inventive aspect likely pertains to the chemical structure of a novel pharmaceutical compound, its specific formulation, or its therapeutic application, although explicit claim details are needed for precise determination.
2. How broad are the claims in WO2017160345?
The claims probably range from narrow to moderately broad, covering specific compounds, methods of use, and formulations. Broader claims increase market coverage but face greater scrutiny during patent prosecution.
3. What is the patent landscape for similar drug compounds?
The landscape contains numerous patents targeting similar therapeutic targets or class of compounds, often crowded within specific chemical or therapeutic clusters, requiring precise landscape analysis for strategic planning.
4. How can patent challenges be conducted against WO2017160345?
Potential challenges include submitting prior art that predates the filing date or demonstrating the claims lack novelty or inventive step during patent opposition proceedings.
5. What is the significance of patent WO2017160345's international filing?
Its PCT publication indicates a global strategic approach, aiming to secure rights in multiple jurisdictions, thus maximizing commercial and legal protection worldwide.
References
- WIPO Patent Database, WO2017160345.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) procedures and strategies.
- Patent Landscape Reports and patent family data from WIPO, EPO, USPTO, and CNIPA.
- Patentability guidelines as per the European Patent Office and USPTO for chemical/pharmaceutical inventions.
