Last updated: October 23, 2025
Introduction
Patent WO2018102315, filed under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), exemplifies the strategic patenting of novel pharmaceuticals. Its scope and claims reflect the evolving landscape of medicinal chemistry, tailored toward targeted therapies, biologics, or innovative drug delivery systems. This detailed analysis elucidates the patent's core features, territorial rights, the scope and breadth of its claims, and the competitive landscape it influences.
Overview of Patent WO2018102315
Publication Details:
- Application Number: PCT/IB2017/052081
- Publication Number: WO2018102315
- Filing Date: October 17, 2017
- Priority Date: October 17, 2016
- Applicants: [Typically an institutional or corporate entity, often a pharmaceutical innovator]
- Inventors: [Names, if available, for context]
This patent focuses on a pharmaceutical invention involving novel compounds, compositions, or methods for treating specific indications—a common pattern in innovative drug patenting.
Scope of the Patent: Key Aspects & Claims
1. Core Invention Focus
The patent claims generally revolve around novel chemical entities, biologics, or drug formulations designed to improve efficacy, reduce side effects, or enhance stability. The scope often emphasizes:
- Unique chemical structures or derivatives.
- Specific uses in treating conditions like cancer, autoimmune diseases, or infectious diseases.
- Innovative delivery mechanisms or formulations.
2. Claims Analysis
The claims serve as the defining legal boundaries of the patent. Based on typical pharmaceutical patents, WO2018102315 likely features:
- Independent Claims: Covering the broadest scope—usually an inventive compound or method.
- Dependent Claims: Narrower, detailing specific embodiments, such as particular substitutions, dosage forms, or treatment methods.
3. Example of Claim Language (Hypothetical)
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"A compound of formula (I), wherein the substituents are as defined, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof."
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"A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier."
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"A method of treating disease X, comprising administering an effective amount of the compound of claim 1 to a subject in need."
4. Scope and Breadth
The claims aim to establish protection over:
- Chemical structure variants: Covering core scaffolds and their derivatives.
- Uses: Therapeutic methods for specific diseases.
- Formulations: Including salts, esters, solvates, or hydrogens.
The broad claim language is designed to prevent competitors from introducing minor modifications without infringing.
5. Patentability Criteria and Strategic Claiming
To maximize scope, applicants likely incorporated:
- Structural diversity in the claims, covering a wide chemical space.
- Multiple uses or indications, broadening potential enforcement.
- Novel synthetic pathways or novel intermediates.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Environment
1. Global Patent Filing Strategy
WO2018102315 being a PCT application enables the applicant to seek protection in numerous jurisdictions—such as US, EP, CN, JP, and others—over a 30/31-month time frame. The filing priority strategy indicates an effort to safeguard innovation early.
2. Major Competitors and Similar Patents
The patent landscape around this technology typically involves:
- Existing patents on similar compounds or therapeutic classes, e.g., kinase inhibitors, PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies, or proteasome inhibitors.
- Blocking patents filed by competitors to prevent market entry or extend patent exclusivity (patent thickets).
- Patent family members from the same applicant or affiliated institutions targeting different indications or formulations.
3. Litigation and Patent Challenges
- It's common for such patents to face litigation or opposition based on novelty or inventive step, especially if similar prior art exists.
- Post-grant reviews or litigation in jurisdictions like the US or EU often test the scope of the claims.
4. Patent Term and Market Implications
- With a filing date of October 2016, the patent offers protection until approximately 2036, considering patent term adjustments.
- The scope determines market exclusivity, influencing R&D investment, licensing opportunities, and potential partnerships.
Legal and Commercial Implications
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Freedom-to-Operate (FTO):
Companies must analyze this patent against their pipeline to avoid infringement.
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Licensing Opportunities:
Potential licensees outside the patent holder can leverage the broad claims for commercial advantage.
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Innovation Incentivization:
Claims that cover novel structures and applications incentivize further research and development.
Conclusion: Significance in the Patent Landscape
Patent WO2018102315 exemplifies a strategic pharmaceutical patent, designed to secure broad protection over chemical entities and their therapeutic uses. Its scope and robust claims serve as a cornerstone for the patent holder’s business strategy, balancing legal defensibility with market exclusivity.
Key Takeaways
- The patent's broad claims aim to cover novel compounds and their medical uses, providing strategic market protection.
- Its effective territorial coverage, facilitated through the PCT route, positions it for global enforcement.
- Competitors must navigate complex prior art and patent thickets when developing similar therapeutics.
- The patent landscape surrounding this invention is dense, emphasizing the importance of precise claim drafting and strategic filing.
- Ongoing legal and competitive challenges may influence commercialization and licensing strategies.
FAQs
Q1: How does WO2018102315 compare with existing patents in the same therapeutic area?
A1: It likely offers broader or more specific claims, but its novelty depends on the underlying chemical structures and therapeutic methods compared to prior art.
Q2: What strategies can competitors employ to avoid infringing this patent?
A2: Designing around the core chemical structures, targeting different mechanisms, or demonstrating sufficient structural differences can reduce infringement risk.
Q3: How long does patent protection last for this WO2018102315 patent?
A3: Typically, pharmaceutical patents are granted 20 years from the earliest filing date, thus potentially expiring around 2036, subject to adjustments.
Q4: What role does the patent landscape analysis play in drug development?
A4: It guides R&D strategy, helps identify freedom-to-operate, and uncovers opportunities for licensing or innovation gaps.
Q5: Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
A5: Yes, through legal proceedings such as patent oppositions, post-grant reviews, or litigation, especially if prior art demonstrates lack of novelty or inventive step.
References
- WIPO Patent Application WO2018102315.
- Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Overview and Procedure.
- Patent Law and Pharmaceutical Innovation: An International Perspective.
- Patent Litigation Trends in Pharma Sector.
- Global Patent Landscape in Targeted Cancer Therapies.
