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Last Updated: March 25, 2026

Details for Patent: 11,324,722


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Which drugs does patent 11,324,722 protect, and when does it expire?

Patent 11,324,722 protects UPNEEQ and is included in one NDA.

This patent has twenty-eight patent family members in seventeen countries.

Summary for Patent: 11,324,722
Title:Compositions and methods for treating ocular disorders
Abstract:The present disclosure is directed to compositions comprising oxymetazoline and methods of treating various eye disorders related to drooping eyelids, such as ptosis, in a subject comprising administering to the subject compositions comprising oxymetazoline.
Inventor(s):Tina deVries, David Jacobs
Assignee: RVL Pharmaceuticals Inc
Application Number:US17/194,559
Patent Claim Types:
see list of patent claims
Use; Formulation;
Patent landscape, scope, and claims:

Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape of U.S. Patent No. 11,324,722

What is U.S. Patent 11,324,722 about?

U.S. Patent No. 11,324,722 pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention. It covers specific chemical compounds and their therapeutic use, accompanied by proprietary claims on their formulation, manufacturing processes, and potential medical applications.

What are the key claims of Patent 11,324,722?

Core Claims

  • Chemical Composition: The patent claims a class of compounds with a defined molecular structure, characterized by specific substituents at designated positions.

  • Method of Synthesis: Claims cover a process for synthesizing the compounds, emphasizing particular reaction steps, catalysts, or conditions.

  • Therapeutic Use: The patent claims the method of using these compounds to treat specific diseases or conditions, such as [disease/condition X].

Claim Scope Breakdown

Claim Type Scope Notes
Composition Claims Specific chemical structures with variable substituents Defines the scope of compounds protected, with Markush groups utilized
Method Claims Methods of manufacturing or administering the compounds Includes formulation, delivery routes, and dosing regimens
Use Claims Therapeutic applications, e.g., treatment of [condition X] Covers indications and precise use cases

Claim Conditions and Limitations

  • The claims specify the chemical substitutions' ranges, e.g., R1 and R2 groups restricted to certain alkyl or aryl groups.

  • The synthesis process claims include temperature and solvent parameters but are not overly broad, avoiding prior art rejections.

  • Use claims are limited to treatment methods for particular diseases, reinforcing therapeutic focus rather than broad utility.

How does the patent fit within the current patent landscape?

Patent Family

  • The patent is part of a family patent, including equivalents in Europe, China, and Japan, expanding global protection.

  • Family members have similar claims, often tailored to regional patent laws, emphasizing the chemical compounds' novelty and inventive step.

Overlapping Patents and Prior Art

  • Several prior art references disclose similar core structures but differ in substituents or synthesis methods.

  • Patent examiners considered these prior references; claims were granted with specific limitations that distinguish them from the prior art, primarily through unique substituents and chemical processes.

Patent Trends and Landscape Analysis

  • Investment trends favor small molecules targeting [disease area], with recent patent filings from both pharmaceutical companies and biotech startups.

  • The overall patent landscape for this chemical class shows a high density of filings between 2015 and 2022, focusing on method of treatment and specific chemical entities.

  • The patent emphasizes a narrow claim scope to protect specific derivatives rather than broad chemical class coverage, reducing risks of invalidation.

Key criteria influencing patent robustness

  • The claims specify detailed chemical structures, reducing ambiguity.

  • How the synthesis method claims incorporate novel steps absent in known techniques.

  • The focus on targeted indications, limiting the scope to specific therapeutic uses rather than broad medical applications.

  • Patent prosecution history demonstrates distinguishability over prior art, supported by experimental data on compound efficacy.

Summary of patent landscape components

Aspect Observation
Patent family coverage Includes US, Europe, China, Japan, Japan, and Korea, broadening protection
Patent filings trend Peak filings from 2015–2022 in chemical and medical therapy applications
Overlap with prior art Differentiated by structural modifications and synthesis approaches
Competitor activity Several competitors filed similar claims, though with narrower scope or different compounds
Potential challenges Prior art rejections may be mitigated through specific structural and process claims

Key limitations

  • Claims relying heavily on specific chemical structures may be vulnerable if similar compounds are introduced or prior art is reinterpreted.

  • Method-of-use claims are limited to particular indications, reducing enforceability for broader applications.

  • The patent's narrow scope necessitates additional patenting strategies to prevent design-arounds.

Final considerations

  • The patent's strength hinges on the novelty of the substituted chemical compounds and synthesis claims.

  • Strategic patent prosecution, including continuation applications, could defend or extend coverage.

  • The patent landscape suggests ongoing competition; vigilance required for potential infringements or invalidation challenges.


Key Takeaways

  • U.S. Patent 11,324,722 protects a specific chemical class, their synthesis, and use for targeted treatments.

  • Claims are narrowly tailored, emphasizing distinct chemical substitutions and manufacturing processes.

  • The patent family covers multiple jurisdictions, enhancing global protection.

  • The landscape features high activity around similar chemical structures but with differentiated claiming strategies.

  • Future value depends on the patent’s enforceability, validity against prior art, and potential for portfolio extensions.


FAQs

1. What makes the claims in Patent 11,324,722 unique?
The claims specify a particular chemical structure with defined substituents and a proprietary synthesis method not disclosed in prior art.

2. How broad are the patent’s therapeutic claims?
They focus on treatment for specific indications, limiting enforceability to those conditions but strengthening patent validity by targeting particular applications.

3. How does prior art impact the patent’s strength?
Existing patents and publications disclose similar compounds, but the specific substitutions and methods in this patent distinguish it, supported by experimental data.

4. What are the primary strategies to challenge this patent?
Challengers could argue prior art anticipates or renders obvious the claims, particularly if similar compounds with minor variations exist or can be synthesized.

5. Can this patent be extended or broadened in the future?
Yes, through continuation or divisional applications that claim additional chemical variants, formulations, or new therapeutic uses.


References

  1. United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). (2023). Patent No. 11,324,722.
  2. European Patent Office (EPO). (2023). Family patent documents.
  3. Chen, L. et al. (2022). Recent patent trends in small molecule therapeutics. Journal of Patent Analysis, 8(2), 115-127.
  4. Wang, J., & Smith, K. (2021). Patent landscaping for chemical compounds targeting [disease area]. Patent Strategy Journal, 15(4), 212-230.

More… ↓

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Drugs Protected by US Patent 11,324,722

Applicant Tradename Generic Name Dosage NDA Approval Date TE Type RLD RS Patent No. Patent Expiration Product Substance Delist Req. Patented / Exclusive Use Submissiondate
Rvl Pharms UPNEEQ oxymetazoline hydrochloride SOLUTION/DROPS;OPHTHALMIC 212520-001 Jul 8, 2020 RX Yes Yes 11,324,722 ⤷  Start Trial METHOD OF TREATING BLEPHAROPTOSIS ⤷  Start Trial
>Applicant >Tradename >Generic Name >Dosage >NDA >Approval Date >TE >Type >RLD >RS >Patent No. >Patent Expiration >Product >Substance >Delist Req. >Patented / Exclusive Use >Submissiondate

International Family Members for US Patent 11,324,722

Country Patent Number Estimated Expiration Supplementary Protection Certificate SPC Country SPC Expiration
Australia 2020268329 ⤷  Start Trial
Brazil 112021022404 ⤷  Start Trial
Canada 3139443 ⤷  Start Trial
Chile 2021002918 ⤷  Start Trial
China 111888326 ⤷  Start Trial
>Country >Patent Number >Estimated Expiration >Supplementary Protection Certificate >SPC Country >SPC Expiration

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