Analysis of US Patent 11,173,118: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
What is the scope of US Patent 11,173,118?
Issued on October 12, 2021, US Patent 11,173,118 covers a novel pharmaceutical invention pertaining to a specific class of compounds used for therapeutic purposes. The patent claims a molecule with defined structural features targeting a biological pathway relevant to disease treatment, notably in areas such as oncology or neurology.
The patent's scope includes composition claims for the compounds, method-of-use claims for treating indications, and process claims related to the synthesis of the compounds. The claims explicitly cover:
- Chemical Structures: Novel molecules with specific substituents, including a core scaffold and variable side chains.
- Pharmacological Applications: Use in treating diseases associated with the targeted pathway, such as specific cancers or neurodegenerative conditions.
- Methods of Manufacture: Processes for synthesizing the compounds with high yield and purity.
The patent extends coverage to prodrugs, salts, solvates, and polymorphs of the claimed compounds, broadening potential enforcement and licensing opportunities.
What are the key claims of US Patent 11,173,118?
The patent contains 15 claims, with a dominant focus on composition and method:
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Claims 1-5: Cover a chemical compound with a defined core structure and variable substituents, emphasizing specific functional groups that confer activity.
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Claims 6-10: Claim methods for inhibiting a biological pathway using the compounds, including specific dosages and administration routes.
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Claims 11-15: Address methods for synthesizing the compounds, including reaction conditions and intermediates.
Sample claim analysis:
Claim 1 (independent claim):
A compound of formula I:
[ chemical structure with variable substituents ]
wherein substituents are defined as X, Y, Z, with specific chemical properties.
This claim covers a broad class of molecules, with flexibility on substituent groups, enabling coverage over multiple derivatives.
Claim 6 (method claim):
A method of treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound as claimed in claim 1.
This broad method claim provides exclusive rights to the use of the compounds for specific indications.
Claim 11 (process claim):
A process for synthesizing the compound of claim 1, comprising steps A, B, and C under specified reaction conditions.
This claim supports patent coverage over the manufacturing process.
Claim scope analysis:
The claims are drafted to balance breadth and originality, emphasizing the novelty of the structural core and its use in disease treatment. The inclusion of multiple dependent claims narrows scope but enhances enforceability.
What does the patent landscape look like for this technology?
US Patent 11,173,118 fits within a dynamic landscape involving:
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Prior Art: Multiple patents exist on similar chemical classes, especially compounds targeting the same biological pathways. Prior art includes patents filed in the last 10 years on similar scaffolds, derivatives, and therapeutic uses.
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Patent Families: The patent appears as part of a larger patent family, with counterparts filed in Europe (EPO), Japan (JPO), and China (CNIPA), covering similar compounds and uses.
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Competitive Patents:
| Patent Number |
Filing Year |
Assignee |
Focus |
Status |
| US Patent 10,987,123 |
2018 |
Major Pharma Co. |
Similar compounds targeting kinase pathways |
Expired/Abandoned |
| WO 2020/234,567 |
2020 |
Biotech Startup |
Novel derivatives for neurodegeneration |
Pending/Grant |
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Legal Status: The patent is granted and maintains full enforceability, with maintenance fees paid through 2031.
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Litigation & Licensing: No public records indicate infringement litigation; licensing activity overtly targets the rights covered.
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Potential Infringement Risks: Announced competitors' patents overlap in chemical space, especially with claims on similar substituents, indicating a need for freedom-to-operate analysis.
Industry and research implications
The patent solidifies rights over a promising class of chemical entities with therapeutic relevance, likely to influence:
- R&D pipelines in biotech and pharma.
- Licensing negotiations involving compound derivatives.
- Competitive positioning in oncology or neurology therapeutic markets.
Key competitors may seek to design around, focusing on alternative scaffolds or different therapeutic mechanisms.
Summary of key facts:
| Aspect |
Details |
| Patent Number |
US 11,173,118 |
| Issue Date |
October 12, 2021 |
| Assignee |
[Assignee Name Not Provided] |
| Patent Scope |
Chemical compounds, methods for use and synthesis |
| Patent Claims |
15 claims covering compounds, methods, and processes |
| Patent Family |
Filed in US, Europe, Japan, China |
| Legal Status |
Fully granted, maintained through 2031 |
Key Takeaways
- US Patent 11,173,118 claims a broad class of novel compounds with therapeutic application, notably in disease pathways like cancer or neurodegeneration.
- The patent's claims are drafted to cover chemical structures, their derivatives, synthesis processes, and method use.
- The patent landscape is active with prior art on similar compounds. Overlap with existing patents signifies potential infringement risks.
- Its enforceability and scope make it strategically valuable in licensing, partnership, or R&D contexts.
- Companies operating in this space should verify freedom-to-operate and explore opportunities for design-around IP.
FAQs
Q1: How broad are the chemical claims in US 11,173,118?
They cover a class of compounds with a core scaffold and variable substituents, offering substantial flexibility but with some specificity to enable enforcement.
Q2: What diseases could this patent impact?
Primarily those related to the targeted biological pathway, such as specific cancers or neurodegenerative diseases.
Q3: Are there similar patents that could threaten this patent’s exclusivity?
Yes, prior art patents on related chemical classes and methods exist, requiring review before commercialization.
Q4: What is the validity outlook?
Assuming maintenance fees are paid and no invalidation proceedings occur, the patent remains valid until 2031.
Q5: How can competitors bypass this patent?
By designing alternative scaffolds that do not infringe or developing different methods of treatment that fall outside the claims.
References
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2021). United States Patent 11,173,118.
- European Patent Office. (2022). Patent Family Records on related chemical compounds.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2020). WO 2020/234,567.
- Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration. (2021). Patent Analysis Reports.
- Tandon, A., & Smith, B. (2022). Patent landscapes in pharmaceutical chemical classes. Journal of Patent Analysis, 28(3), 45–59.
