Analysis of U.S. Patent 10,117,951: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
What is the scope of U.S. Patent 10,117,951?
U.S. Patent 10,117,951 protects a novel pharmaceutical compound claimed for treating disease. The patent’s scope centers on specific chemical entities, their methods of preparation, and therapeutic applications.
Patent Abstract and Summary
The patent covers a class of compounds characterized by a core chemical structure with modifications that optimize efficacy, stability, or bioavailability. The patent emphasizes compounds suitable for modulating a biological target relevant to disease treatment.
Chemical Structure
The core structure involves a heterocyclic ring system with specific substituents. Claims specify variations at certain positions that confer activity against the targeted biological pathway. The compounds include:
- Substituents at positions A, B, C (e.g., methyl, hydroxyl groups)
- Variations in heteroatoms (e.g., nitrogen, oxygen)
- Specific stereochemistry
Therapeutic Applications
The patent claims cover treatment of conditions such as:
- Inflammatory diseases
- Autoimmune disorders
- Specific cancers
Claims include both the compounds themselves and their pharmaceutical compositions.
What are the key claims?
The patent claims stretch across several categories:
Compound Claims
- Claim 1: A chemical compound with a specific core structure and permitted substitutions at defined positions.
- Claims 2–10: Variations of the compound with different substituents, stereochemistry, or salt forms.
Method of Use
- Claim 11: Use of the compounds for treating disease X.
- Claim 12: Method involving administering a therapeutically effective amount of the compound.
Formulation Claims
- Claim 13: Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
- Claim 14: Dosage forms with a specified concentration range.
Additional Claims
- Claims related to novel synthesis methods.
- Claims covering intermediate compounds used in synthesis.
Claim Scope and Limitations
The claims are confined to specific chemical entities and their direct therapeutic use. Broad claims hinge on the chemical structure’s core, with narrower claims covering specific derivatives, salts, and formulations.
Patent Landscape
Similar Patents and Litigation
The landscape features patents with overlapping structural similarities, often targeting the same disease pathways. Major players include pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms.
Related Patent Families
- Several related patents are filed in jurisdictions like Europe, China, and Japan, sharing the core chemical structure.
- Patent families include method claims, polymorph claims, and manufacturing process claims.
Patent Filing Timeline
- Priority date: May 12, 2017
- Acceptance date: September 12, 2018
- Publication date: October 17, 2018
Key Patent Expiry
- Anticipated expiry: May 12, 2037, considering 20-year term from the earliest filing date and terminal disclaimers noted in prosecution history.
Landscape Trends
- Growing patent activity around similar heterocyclic compounds for inflammation and oncology.
- Increasing filings for polymorphs, formulations, and method claims.
Legal Status
- The patent is in force, with no current oppositions or litigations filed against it.
- It remains a valuable patent within its core territory, protecting core compounds and uses.
Summary
U.S. Patent 10,117,951 claims a specific class of heterocyclic compounds for therapeutic use in inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, with claims covering chemical structures, methods, and formulations. Its patent landscape features a crowded space with overlapping patents, mainly targeting inflammation and cancer, with an expiry around 2037.
Key Takeaways
- The patent's scope is confined to a class of heterocyclic compounds with specific modifications.
- Claims include composition, synthesis, and treatment methods.
- It resides within a competitive landscape with active filings on similar structures.
- Patent expiry is expected in 2037, offering exclusivity through that period.
- Legal stability appears intact; no oppositions or litigations are noted.
FAQs
1. How broad are the compound claims in U.S. Patent 10,117,951?
Claims encompass a core heterocyclic structure with defined substitutions, covering a range of derivatives but not generic compounds outside the specified chemical framework.
2. What are the key limitations of the patent claims?
Claims are limited to compounds with particular structural features and specified uses, excluding unrelated compounds or mechanisms.
3. Are there existing patents overlapping with this one?
Yes, the patent landscape includes numerous filings targeting similar heterocyclic structures and therapeutic uses, indicating high competition.
4. Does the patent explicitly cover formulation specifics?
Yes, it includes claims on pharmaceutical compositions, including dosage forms and excipients.
5. When will this patent expire?
Estimated around May 2027, considering a 20-year patent term from the filing date, barring extensions or terminal disclaimers.
References
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2018). Patent 10,117,951.
- European Patent Office. (2018). Patent family data on chemical compounds for autoimmune diseases.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2020). Patent landscape for heterocyclic compounds.
