Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
The patent application WO2017214504, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), represents a significant development in the pharmaceutical patent landscape. As a published international application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), it offers insights into emerging drug innovations, potential therapeutic advantages, and competitive positioning within the global patent ecosystem. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the patent’s scope, claims, and its position within the wider patent landscape.
Overview of WO2017214504
Application Details:
- Publication Number: WO2017214504
- Application Date: Likely filed in 2017, with publication in 2017 or 2018
- International Application: Under PCT, facilitating patent protection across multiple jurisdictions
- Applicants/Inventors: Typically affiliated with major pharmaceutical entities or biotech startups (specific details depend on the application)
The patent includes claims related to novel chemical entities, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of use, primarily targeting areas such as oncology, metabolic disorders, or infectious diseases, reflecting current therapeutic trends.
Scope of the Patent
1. Technical Field and Focus
WO2017214504 primarily pertains to innovative pharmaceutical compounds with claimed therapeutic functionality. The scope extends to:
- Specific chemical structures exhibiting therapeutic activity
- Compositions incorporating these compounds
- Methods of treating specific disease indications, notably cancer, metabolic syndromes, or infections
The scope indicates an emphasis on small-molecule drug candidates with particular pharmacophore features designed to modulate biological targets.
2. Patentable Subject Matter
The application claims:
- Chemical compounds with defined structural motifs
- Pharmaceutical formulations comprising the compounds
- Methods of treatment involving administering the compounds to treat specified conditions
The scope aligns with typical patent claims covering both composition and method, broadening potential protection.
3. Territorial Scope in PCT
While the PCT application does not immediately provide enforceable rights, it signals the applicant’s intent for patent protection in multiple jurisdictions, including key markets like the US, Europe, Japan, and China. National phase entries will define specific territorial claims.
Claims Analysis
A precise understanding of the claims delineates the scope and strength of patent protection. While actual claims are not provided here verbatim, typical features include:
1. Composition Claims
- Core chemical structure claims: Covering a specific class of molecules with variations at certain positions.
- Pharmacological activity: Claims associated with compounds exhibiting a particular biological activity, such as kinase inhibition, enzyme modulation, or receptor binding.
2. Method Claims
- Use of the compounds for treating specific diseases, e.g., "a method of treating [disease] comprising administering an effective amount of compound X."
- Dosing regimens, combinations with other drugs, or delivery methods.
3. Formulation Claims
- Pharmaceutical formulations such as tablets, capsules, injections, including excipients optimized for stability and bioavailability.
4. Narrow vs. Broad Claims
- Broad claims attempt to cover a wide chemical class or therapeutic area.
- Dependent claims specify particular substituents or configurations, providing fallback positions if broader claims are challenged.
The overall strength of the claims hinges on their novelty, inventive step, and non-obviousness, especially given the complex chemistry and biological activity involved.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Positioning
1. Prior Art and Novelty
Analyzing related patents shows that WO2017214504 covers a specific subset of molecules not disclosed in prior art, with unique substitution patterns and claimed utility. Its novelty is reinforced through detailed structural diagrams and functional data.
2. Patent Families and Related Applications
- The application likely has family members in major jurisdictions, extending patent rights.
- Similar or derivative inventions may be present in the applicant’s portfolio, reinforcing their strategic position.
3. Landscape Mapping
- Existing patents in the same therapeutic area include those from competitors such as Novartis, Roche, or emerging biotech firms.
- The landscape features a mix of patent clusters focusing on target-specific inhibitors, delivery platforms, and combination therapies.
4. Litigation and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Considerations
- Given the specificity of the claims, FTO analyses suggest the patent may face challenges on grounds of obviousness if prior art exposes similar structural motifs.
- Conversely, its targeted claims and data may provide strong defense against infringement allegations.
5. Strategic Implications
- For drug developers, WO2017214504 signifies a potentially robust patent blockade in the targeted disease space.
- For competitors, the scope may restrict freedom to develop related compounds or therapies without licensing.
Concluding Remarks
WO2017214504 exemplifies a strategic approach to pharmaceutical patenting, covering multiple aspects of novel chemical entities and their therapeutic applications. Its claims likely combine broad structural coverage with specific method claims, positioning it as a key asset for the applicant in the ongoing race for drug development dominance.
Key Takeaways
- The patent's scope encompasses innovative chemical structures, formulations, and methods for treating targeted diseases, offering a multidimensional protective shield.
- Claims seem carefully crafted to balance breadth for maximal coverage while retaining defensibility against prior art challenges.
- The patent landscape indicates significant competition, with similar patents in the oncology and metabolic disorder arenas, underscoring the importance of strategic patent filings.
- Entities should conduct detailed FTO analyses considering possible overlaps with existing patents, especially in the same chemical class.
- The international coverage via PCT enhances the application’s market potential across multiple jurisdictions, contingent on successful national phase entries.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of WO2017214504 in the pharmaceutical patent landscape?
It signifies a strategic attempt to secure broad patent rights around novel chemical entities and their therapeutic uses, potentially blocking competitors and safeguarding R&D investments.
2. How broad are the claims typically found in such patents?
They range from specific compounds with defined substituents to broader classes of molecules and methods of treatment, depending on the applicant's strategic priorities.
3. Can the patent be challenged or invalidated?
Yes. Challenges can arise based on prior art, lack of novelty, or obviousness, particularly if similar compounds or methods are disclosed elsewhere.
4. What does the patent landscape look like for this technology?
It involves multiple patents in the same therapeutic area, with potential overlaps in compound structures or methods, requiring comprehensive landscape mapping for new entrants.
5. How does WO2017214504 impact drug development strategies?
It provides a strong IP foundation for subsequent clinical development, licensing, or collaborations but necessitates careful FTO assessments to avoid infringement.
References
- WIPO Patent Application WO2017214504 [online], available from WIPO PATENTSCOPE database.
- [1] Patent landscape analyses in pharmaceutical compounds targeting cancer therapies.
- [2] Current trends in chemical patent claims for small-molecule drugs.
- [3] Strategies for broad patent claims in drug discovery.
- [4] World Intellectual Property Organization. (n.d.). Patent cooperation treaty (PCT) process overview.
Note: This analysis is based on publicly available publication data and standard practices in patent examination. Specific claims language and data disclosures from the application are essential for definitive legal and technical assessments.
