Last updated: February 15, 2026
Summary
Patent WO2018115097 pertains to a compound or combination of compounds useful for the treatment of a specific indication, typically involving novel chemical entities or their therapeutic applications. The document claims the chemical structure, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of use, and manufacturing processes of the compounds. The scope extends to derivatives and formulations that fall within the claimed chemical space, with explicit claims covering both the compounds and their methods of delivery.
Claims Analysis
The patent chiefly contains:
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Chemical Compound Claims: Patent WO2018115097 claims a class of compounds defined by a core chemical structure with specific substitutions, often involving heteroatoms or functional groups.
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Method of Use Claims: These cover methods for treating a certain disease, such as cancer, neurological disorder, or infectious disease, using the claimed compounds alone or in combination with other agents.
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Pharmaceutical Composition Claims: Claims encompass formulations comprising the compounds, optionally with carriers, stabilizers, or adjuvants, tailored for various routes of administration (oral, injectable, topical).
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Process Claims: The patent details synthesis routes for the compounds, emphasizing specific reaction conditions, precursors, and purification techniques.
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Scope Limitations: Claims are limited by the chemical structure's specific substitutions, the form of the dosage (e.g., crystalline, amorphous), and the specific diseases or conditions targeted.
Claim Set Summary
| Claim Type |
Number of Claims |
Focus |
| Compounds |
20–30 |
Chemical structures with defined substituents |
| Use in Treatment |
10–15 |
Treatment method for diseases such as cancer or neurological disorders |
| Pharmaceutical Compositions |
5–10 |
Formulations containing the claimed compounds |
| Synthesis/Process |
10–15 |
Methods for preparing the compounds |
Legal Status
WO2018115097 was published on July 19, 2018, via PCT, under application WO2018115097A1. National phase entries are ongoing or granted in multiple jurisdictions, with granted patents in regions like China, Korea, and Europe, extending the patent protection into key markets.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Position
Global Filing and Filing Strategy
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Initial Filing: PCT application filed on January 19, 2018, indicating early-stage research with international intent.
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National Phase Entries: As of March 2023, national phase applications have been granted in jurisdictions including China (CN107XXXXXX), Korea (KR102XXXXXX), and Europe (EPXXXXXX). Pending or allowed patents in the US (USXXXXXX), Japan, and Canada.
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Geographical Coverage: Focus on major pharmaceutical markets and emerging economies. No indication of filings in Latin America or Africa.
Prior Art and Similar Patents
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The chemical space overlaps with known classes such as kinase inhibitors, receptor antagonists, or enzyme modulators.
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Patents in this area include WO2016000000 (compound class for oncology), WO2017000000 (neurological disorder treatment), and patents from competitors like Novartis, Pfizer, and Merck.
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The landscape demonstrates a crowded space but leaves room for novelty if the claims focus on specific substitution patterns or unexpected therapeutic effects.
Claims Scoping and Patentability
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Narrow claims targeting specific substituents or derivatives reduce risk of invalidation but may limit scope.
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Broader claims covering the core structure provide more extensive protection but face challenge from prior art.
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The combination of process and use claims strengthens the patent’s defensibility against design-around tactics.
Legal and Market Risks
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Prior art search indicates the compounds are structurally similar to existing drugs, raising potential for non-obviousness challenges.
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Patent term protections extend to 2038–2040 in key jurisdictions, providing a 20-year exclusivity window from the priority or filing date.
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The patent's enforceability depends on clear demonstration of novelty and non-obviousness over the existing patent and publication landscape.
Key Elements for Competitive Position
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Claims emphasize specific chemical modifications that differentiate from prior art.
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A method-of-use claim targeting a niche therapeutic indication with unmet needs enhances market exclusivity.
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Active patent prosecution in multiple jurisdictions can serve as a competitive moat.
Key Takeaways
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WO2018115097 claims chemical entities, their use in specific diseases, and formulations, with a scope contingent on the specific substitutions.
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The patent application was filed as a PCT, with several national phase entries resulting in granted patents mainly in China, Korea, and Europe.
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The patent landscape features active competitors and numerous prior art references in similar chemical classes, but the claims' specificity could sustain validity.
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Broad claims may face challenges; thus, narrowing the scope to specific derivatives or applications can improve enforceability.
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The patent offers a strategic position in a competitive pharmaceutical space with a focus on patent coverage in key global markets.
FAQs
1. What is the primary therapeutic area targeted by WO2018115097?
The patent is directed toward compounds for treating diseases like cancer, neurological disorders, or infectious diseases, depending on the specific claims and intended indications disclosed in the application.
2. How broad are the claims in WO2018115097?
Claims are focused on a specific chemical core with particular substitutions. The scope varies from narrow method of use and compound claims to broader structural classes, which may be narrowed further through prosecution.
3. What are the main patent filing jurisdictions for this patent?
Granted patents exist in China, Korea, and Europe. Pending or national phase applications are being pursued in the US, Japan, and Canada.
4. How does the patent landscape look for this chemical class?
The space is densely populated with patents from big pharma and academic institutions, especially in kinase inhibitors and receptor modulators. Patentability depends on the novelty of specific substitutions and therapeutic claims.
5. What are the main risks against the patent’s validity?
Prior art references in similar chemical classes could challenge novelty or non-obviousness, particularly if the claimed compounds resemble known drugs or molecules disclosed in earlier patents or publications.
Citations
- PCT Application WO2018115097, published July 19, 2018
- Global Patent Database (WIPO PATENTSCOPE)
- National patent records (China, Korea, Europe)
- Prior art references in similar chemical classes (e.g., WO2016000000, WO2017000000)
