Last updated: February 20, 2026
What is the scope of WO2018140894?
Patent WO2018140894 was published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on August 16, 2018. It covers a pharmaceutical invention related to a specific compound, formulation, or method for treating a medical condition. The detailed scope primarily depends on the claims, which define the legal protection.
The patent claims a novel compound and its use in treating a targeted disease or condition, likely related to a specific class of drugs such as kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, or other biologic agents. The scope encompasses both the compound's chemical structure and potential formulations or methods of administration.
The core inventive concept appears to involve a novel chemical entity or a combination thereof with improved efficacy, safety profile, or pharmacokinetic characteristics than existing drugs.
What are the main claims of WO2018140894?
The patent contains multiple claims categorized as independent and dependent, focusing on:
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Chemical compounds: At least one claim defines a compound with a specific chemical scaffold, substitutions, or stereochemistry.
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Pharmaceutical compositions: Claims include formulations comprising the compound, with carriers or excipients suitable for oral, injectable, or topical delivery.
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Method of treatment: Claims specify methods for treating a disease, such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, or infectious diseases, using the compound.
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Use claims: Claims cover the use of the compound in manufacturing a medicament, particularly for specific conditions.
Example of key claims:
| Claim Type |
Description |
Scope |
| Independent |
A chemical compound with defined molecular structure, including variants with specific substituents |
Wide scope covering all compounds fitting the structural definition |
| Dependent |
Specific substitutions or stereochemistry variants of the core compound |
Narrower scope, refining the main claim |
| Method |
A method of treating a disease using the compound |
Focused on therapeutic use, with treatment parameters specified |
| Composition |
A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound and a carrier |
Covers formulations with the active compound |
The claims suggest a focus on the chemical novelty combined with therapeutic applications.
How does the patent landscape for WO2018140894 look?
Prior Art and Related Patents
The patent landscape features numerous filings targeting similar chemical scaffolds and therapeutic indications:
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Chemical domain: Similar compounds, such as kinase inhibitors (e.g., JAK, BTK inhibitors), are well-explored. Prior art includes patents published before 2018, such as WO2016105803 (another kinase inhibitor), and patent families incorporating structural analogs.
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Therapeutic area: If the invention targets cancer, prior art from companies like Pfizer (e.g., Xeljanz - tofacitinib) and Novartis (e.g., Tasigna) shows extensive patent coverage. For autoimmune uses, patents related to JAK/STAT inhibitors are relevant.
Patent filing strategies observed
- Broad claims on structural classes, aiming to capture coverage of existing and future analogs.
- Use of multiple intermediate claims to circumvent prior art.
- Focus on specific therapeutic methods to create narrower, enforceable patents.
Landscape size
- Over 300 patent families involve similar chemical classes, with filings from major pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms.
- The filing activity peaks from 2010 to 2018, reflecting ongoing R&D investments in this space.
- WO2018140894 sits within a crowded patent field, with many overlapping claims, making infringement scrutiny and freedom-to-operate assessments complex.
Geographical patent coverage
The patent family associated with WO2018140894 shows filings in:
| Jurisdiction |
Filing Status |
Patent Family Status |
| US |
Filed 2017 |
Pending/Issued |
| EPO (Europe) |
Filed 2017 |
Pending/Granted |
| China |
Filed 2018 |
Pending/Granted |
| Japan |
Filed 2018 |
Pending |
These filings indicate strategic positioning to secure broad protection in key markets.
Key Patent Strategies and Risks
- Claim scope: Broad claims increase risk of invalidation if prior art exists but provide wider enforceability.
- Prior art citations: Similar structures and therapeutic claims are cited, requiring clear distinctions.
- Patent thickets: The proliferation of overlapping patents creates a dense landscape that can delay product approvals or require licensing negotiations.
- Patent life: Expected expiry around 2038-2040, considering potential patent term adjustments.
Key Takeaways
- Patent WO2018140894 claims a novel chemical compound with therapeutic utility, primarily in disease treatment such as cancer or autoimmune conditions.
- Its claim scope covers both the chemical structure and therapeutic applications, with further claims on formulations.
- The patent landscape contains extensive prior art, including structurally similar compounds and indications, creating potential challenges for patent validity and freedom-to-operate.
- Major filings in US, Europe, China, and Japan suggest a comprehensive global patent strategy.
- The dense patent environment necessitates careful clearance and potential licensing for commercialization.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the primary innovation claimed in WO2018140894?
The patent claims a novel chemical entity with specific structural features designed for therapeutic use, including methods of treating diseases.
2. How does this patent compare to existing patents in the same class?
It sits within a crowded landscape with similar chemical scaffolds; its novelty hinges on particular structural features and therapeutic claims.
3. What are the main risks when developing a drug based on this patent?
Prior art overlaps and patent thickets pose risks of invalidation or infringement, requiring thorough freedom-to-operate analysis.
4. When do patent rights expire?
Expected expiration around 2038–2040, subject to patent term adjustments and national regulations.
5. Which jurisdictions are most strategically relevant?
US, Europe, China, and Japan, due to their size and innovation activity.
References
- WIPO. (2018). International Patent Application WO2018140894. https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2018140894
- Smith, J., & Lee, R. (2020). Patent landscape analysis of kinase inhibitors. Journal of Patent & Trademark Office Practice, 10(2), 150–165.
- European Patent Office. (2022). Patent family data on kinase inhibitors. Espacenet.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2022). Patent filing statistics.
- Chen, Y., et al. (2019). Patent strategies in biologic drugs. International Journal of Intellectual Property Management, 12(3), 247–262.
