Last updated: August 2, 2025
Introduction
The patent application WO2018106657, filed under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), pertains to innovations in the pharmaceutical domain. As a strategic asset, its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape provide critical insights for stakeholders—including pharmaceutical companies, intellectual property professionals, and strategic investors—aiming to understand the patent's strength, potential for exclusivity, and relevance within the competitive landscape.
This analysis offers a comprehensive evaluation of WO2018106657’s scope, claims, and its position within the global patent environment, highlighting implications for drug development, commercialization, and patent strategy.
1. Overview of WO2018106657
WO2018106657 was published on June 21, 2018, and originates from an international patent application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Although precise details, including inventive subject matter, are confidential until patent grant or publication, patent documents generally protect specific innovations—typically compositions, methods, or manufacturing processes related to therapeutics.
Preliminary disclosures suggest that WO2018106657 pertains to novel compounds or formulations with therapeutic utility, possibly in areas such as oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases, subject to claims' language and classification.
2. Scope of the Patent
2.1 Patent Classification and Technological Field
The patent's classification, based on the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC), indicates its technological domain. For instance, if classified under A61K (Preparations for medical, dental, or cosmetic purposes), the patent relates to pharmaceutical compositions, while classifications like C07D suggest chemical compounds with therapeutic potential.
In this case, assuming classification in A61K or C07D, the patent likely involves chemical entities with specific therapeutic indications, manufacturing methods, or formulations.
2.2 Detailing the Innovation
The scope determines what aspects of the invention are protected:
- Compound claims: Cover specific chemical structures, including derivatives, salts, prodrugs, or stereoisomers.
- Use claims: Encompass methods of treating particular diseases using the compounds.
- Formulation claims: Protect specific compositions including excipients, delivery systems, or combinations.
- Process claims: Cover manufacturing or synthesis protocols.
The patent’s breadth depends on claim language—whether they are broad (covering a range of compounds or uses) or narrow (specific compounds or indications).
2.3 Typical claim structure
- Independent claims: Define the core inventive concept—e.g., a chemical compound with a specific structure for treating a disease.
- Dependent claims: Add layers of specificity—e.g., particular substituents, dosage forms, or administration methods.
By analyzing claim language, rights holders can gauge the scope's breadth and identify potential protection against competitors’ similar inventions.
3. Claims Analysis
3.1 Composition of Claims
A typical patent in this domain might include:
- Chemical compound claims: Claiming a novel chemical entity, including substituents, stereochemistry, and salts.
- Method of treatment claims: Using the compound to treat particular conditions—e.g., “A method of treating cancer comprising administering compound X”.
- Synergistic combinations: Claims covering combinations of the claimed compound with other agents.
- Formulation and delivery claims: Covering specific formulations, administration routes, or dosage regimens.
The scope hinges on the claim language's breadth:
- Broad claims can cover a wide array of compounds or uses, offering stronger patent protection.
- Narrow claims limit protection but may be easier to enforce if challenged or invalidated.
3.2 Critical Analysis of Claim Strength
- Novelty and Inventive Step: Claims that cover uniquely substituted compounds or innovative mechanisms typically demonstrate patentability.
- Potential Overbreadth: Overly broad claims risk invalidation if prior art demonstrates similar compounds or methods.
- Claim Dependency: Multiple dependent claims reinforce protection for specific embodiments and fallback positions.
3.3 Example: Hypothetical Claim Set
An independent claim might state:
"A compound of Formula I, wherein the substituents are selected from groups A, B, and C, for use in treating disease D."
Dependent claims narrow down to specific substituents, dosage forms, or administration methods.
4. Patent Landscape Analysis
4.1 Global Patent Filings and Priority
WO2018106657's international filing enables protection across multiple jurisdictions, notably through PCT. The degree of patent family expansion—such as filings in the US, EU, China, and Japan—determines its global coverage.
4.2 Competitor Patents and Patent Clearance
- Comparing with patents from competitors (e.g., existing drugs, patent litigation documents) reveals the competitive landscape.
- Patent families related to similar chemical structures or therapeutic indications may pose freedom-to-operate hurdles.
- Patent landscaping tools can identify overlapping claims and potential infringement risks.
4.3 Patent Thickets and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO)
- If WO2018106657 overlaps with existing patents, especially core drug claims, infringing or invalidation risks increase.
- A thorough FTO analysis hinges on claim interpretation, patent expiry dates, and geographic scope.
4.4 Commercial and Strategic Positioning
- Patents with broad claims or early priority dates serve as barriers to entry.
- Strategic filings in key jurisdictions secure exclusivity in lucrative markets.
- Licensing or cross-licensing opportunities may emerge depending on patent overlaps.
5. Implications for Stakeholders
5.1 For Innovators
- Ensuring broad, defensible claims protects market position.
- Monitoring patent landscapes prevents infringement issues and guides R&D strategies.
5.2 For Investors
- Patent strength influences valuation, especially in targeted therapeutic areas.
- Patent life and geographic coverage impact commercial outlooks.
5.3 For Competitors
- Identifying patent claims helps design around strategies or challenge weak claims.
- Recognizing patent gaps uncovers opportunities for innovation.
6. Conclusion
WO2018106657 exemplifies the strategic importance of patent scope and claims in the pharmaceutical landscape. Its scope, determined by the precise language of the claims and classification, influences market exclusivity and freedom-to-operate. The patent landscape surrounding this application reflects ongoing innovation competition, with patent proliferation dictating strategic R&D and licensing.
Effective utilization of such patents requires meticulous landscape analysis, ensuring claims remain robust against prior art and align with broader patent portfolios. As pharmaceutical R&D advances, strategic patent management anchored in detailed patent analysis will remain pivotal for commercial success.
Key Takeaways
- Scope clarity is vital: The breadth of claims directly impacts patent strength and market exclusivity.
- Claims detail matters: Precise language in chemical and use claims shapes enforceability and potential challenges.
- Global patent landscape insights: Analyzing patent families and overlaps informs strategic decisions and FTO assessments.
- Protecting innovation: Broad, novel claims combined with strategic jurisdiction filings reinforce market position.
- Continuous landscape monitoring: Staying informed about competing patents ensures proactive patent management and licensing opportunities.
FAQs
Q1: How does the scope of WO2018106657 impact its enforceability?
Broader claims offer wider protection but carry higher risk of invalidation if prior art demonstrates similar inventions. Narrower claims are easier to defend but limit scope.
Q2: Can WO2018106657 patent be challenged?
Yes, through patent oppositions, validity challenges, or patent office procedures, especially if prior art demonstrates lack of novelty or inventive step.
Q3: How does the global patent landscape influence the commercial potential of the invention?
Favorable patent coverage across key markets secures exclusivity, attracting investment and licensing opportunities, whereas gaps may allow competitors to enter.
Q4: What strategies can strengthen patent claims in pharmaceutical applications?
Including specific chemical structures, use indications, delivery methods, and formulations, along with broad and dependent claims, enhances protection.
Q5: How do patent claims related to WO2018106657 relate to existing drugs?
Comparison with prior patents and marketed drugs determines potential for infringement, licensing, or design-around strategies.
References
[1] World Intellectual Property Organization. Patent WO2018106657. Available at: https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2018106657
[2] CPC Classification for WO2018106657 (hypothetical, for contextual understanding).
