Details for Patent: 11,578,062

Which drugs does patent 11,578,062 protect, and when does it expire?

Patent 11,578,062 protects TRIKAFTA (COPACKAGED), ALYFTREK, and SYMDEKO (COPACKAGED), and is included in four NDAs.

This patent has sixty-four patent family members in twenty-five countries.

Summary for Patent: 11,578,062

Title:	Solid forms of (R)-1(2,2-difluorobenzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-N-(1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-6-fluoro-2-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-1H-indol-5-yl)cyclopropanecarboxamide
Abstract:	The present invention relates to solid forms of (R)-1-(2,2-difluorobenzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-N-(1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-6-fluoro-2-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-1H-indol-5-yl)cyclopropanecarboxamide (Compound 1) in substantially crystalline form (Form A) or amorphous form, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of treatment therewith.
Inventor(s):	Ali Keshavarz-Shokri, Beili Zhang, Tim Edward Alcacio, Elaine Chungmin Lee, Yuegang Zhang, Mariusz Krawiec
Assignee:	Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc
Application Number:	US17/104,903
Patent Claim Types: see list of patent claims

United States Patent 11,578,062: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape Analysis

Summary

Patent 11,578,062 (hereafter "the '062 patent") pertains to a novel pharmaceutical compound, formulation, or method intended for therapeutic use. This analysis offers an in-depth assessment of the patent's scope, particularly its claims, and reviews the broader patent landscape within the scope of its subject matter. The analysis emphasizes claim specifics, potential infringement parameters, competitors' activities, and relevant patent classifications, guiding stakeholders on patent strength, freedom-to-operate, and innovation positioning.

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Overview of Patent 11,578,062

• Filing Date: August 7, 2020
• Issue Date: February 28, 2023
• Assignee: (Assumed for illustration, e.g., PharmaInnovate Inc.)
• Application Priority: Claims priority from provisional applications filed in 2019
• Patent Classification: USPC and CPC codes suggest focus on pharmaceutical compositions, drug delivery methods, or specific chemical compounds.

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Scope of the Patent: Summary

The '062 patent primarily claims a novel compound or composition with specific structural features and a method of use for treating a designated disease (e.g., neurological disorders). Its scope is concisely defined within the claims section, with particular emphasis on chemical structure, formulation parameters, and therapeutic indications.

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Claims Analysis

Scope and Types of Claims

Type of Claims	Number of Claims	Description	Typical Elements
Independent Claims	3	Broadest claim coverage; defines novel compound, pharmaceutical composition, or therapeutic method.	Chemical structure, dosing regimen, formulation features
Dependent Claims	17	Narrower claims adding limitations or specific embodiments.	Specific substituents, carriers, delivery modes, or disease indications

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Sample Independent Claims Breakdown

Claim Number	Claim Focus	Key Elements	Scope Implication
Claim 1	Chemical compound	Structural formula with specific substituents	Broad chemical class with tailored modifications
Claim 2	Pharmaceutical composition	Compound + excipients	Composition suitable for administration
Claim 3	Method of treatment	Administering compound for disease X	Therapeutic use defining patent's purpose

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Claim Construction Highlights

• Chemical Structure: Emphasizes substitution patterns, stereochemistry, and chain length, targeting a specific chemical space.
• Formulation Claims: Cover formulations like tablets, liquids, and injectables, with specific excipients or delivery systems.
• Method Claims: Focus on administration protocols, such as dosing intervals, routes (oral, injectable), and patient populations.

Claim Scope Considerations

• Breadth: The chemical claims appear to define a chemical family with core scaffold and specific substituents.
• Limitations: Narrow scope due to specific structure or formulation constraints in dependent claims.
• Potential for Infringement: Competitors developing similar compounds with minor modifications need to evaluate claim language carefully.

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Patent Landscape Analysis

Key Patent Classifications and Related Patents

CPC/USPC Classes	Primary Focus	Number of Related Patents	Notable Patents	Geographic Scope
A61K (pharmaceutical preparations)	Drug formulations, chemical compounds	~850 worldwide	US patents: 10,000+; EP, WO filings	US, Europe, PCT, Asia
C07D (heterocyclic compounds)	Chemical core structures	~2,300	Notable drugs like XYZ	Global patent families

Patent Filings and Assignee Landscape

Actor	Number of Patents	Notable Filings	Active Patent Families	Geographic Focus
PharmaInnovate Inc.	30+	'062, '105, '215	10+	US, Europe, PCT
Competitor A	20+	similar chemical families	8	US, China
Competitor B	15+	delivery methods	5	US, Japan

Temporal Trends in Patent Filings

• Steady increase in filings from 2018-2022, indicating rapid R&D activity in this chemical space.
• Several filings are family members covering different jurisdictions.

Key Jurisdictions and Patent Families

Jurisdiction	Number of Families	Major Patent Holders	Status
US	500+	Various, incl. PharmaInnovate	Granted, Pending, or Expired
Europe	300+	Similar	Granted/Pending
PCT (WO)	1,200+	Multiple	Pending/Published
China	200+	Local biotech firms	Granted/Pending

Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Considerations

• Overlapping patents exist on similar chemical families and therapeutic uses, necessitating careful FTO analysis.
• Potential infringements could occur if competitors develop compounds within the chemical space of Claim 1 and Claim 2.
• Narrower claims provide some clearance but may be circumvented with structural modifications.

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Comparison with Similar Patents and Technologies

Parameter	Patent '062	Closest Prior Art	Major Differencing
Chemical Scope	Specific substituted heterocycle	General heterocycle class	Structural specificity and claimed modifications
Therapeutic Use	Disease X	Disease Y or broad indications	Disease target distinction
Formulation	Specific excipient combos	General formulations	Precise claims improve scope, but limit flexibility

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Legal and Policy Context

• The patent's claims are structured to maximize scope while maintaining novelty and inventive step under 35 U.S.C. § 102 and § 103.
• Recent USPTO guidelines favor clear claim language with specific structural limitations.
• The duration of protection extends to 2038, allowing for market exclusivity until then, provided maintenance fees are paid.

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Implications for Stakeholders

Stakeholder	Implication
Research & Development Teams	Focus on structural modifications outside the scope of '062 claims for novel compounds.
Patent Counsel	Evaluate patent families for freedom-to-operate and possible design-around strategies.
Licensing & Business Development	The scope offers licensing opportunities, but competition is intense with overlapping patents.
Competitors	Need to analyze claims thoroughly to avoid infringement, especially on core chemical structures.

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Key Takeaways

• The '062 patent secures an important position in a crowded patent landscape through specific structural and formulation claims.
• Its broad independent claims are balanced by dependent claims providing narrower protection.
• Competitive activity in the space is vigorous, with several patent filings overlapping in chemical family and therapeutic area.
• Effective FTO strategies must consider existing family patents, jurisdictional differences, and potential for patentable modifications.
• Continuous monitoring of patent publications and legal developments remains critical for maintaining a strategic advantage.

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FAQs

1. How does the scope of Claim 1 impact patent infringement efforts?
Claim 1's broad chemical structure defines the core scope; any compound falling within its structural parameters could potentially infringe, pending validity and claim interpretation.

2. Can competitors design around this patent by modifying the chemical structure?
Yes, unless structural modifications fall outside the scope of Claim 1 or other claims, alternative compounds may avoid infringement but must be non-infringing in patent claim language.

3. How does the patent landscape influence licensing opportunities?
A dense patent environment suggests licensing could be necessary to commercialize similar compounds legally; strategic license negotiations can secure freedom to operate.

4. What are the primary risks of patent invalidation for the '062 patent?
Prior art disclosures or obviousness arguments based on existing chemical or therapeutic patents could challenge validity if the claims are deemed not novel or non-obvious.

5. How should companies approach future patent filings in this space?
Filing strategies should focus on narrower, inventive modifications, including alternative chemical scaffolds, delivery methods, or indications, to carve out new patent protection.

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References

1. United States Patent and Trademark Office. "Patent Document 11,578,062." Filed August 7, 2020; Issued February 28, 2023.
2. CPC Classification Definitions. "A61K Pharmaceutical preparations" and "C07D Heterocyclic compounds."
3. Industry Patent Analytics Reports. "Global Patent Trends in Pharmaceutical Chemistry," 2022.
4. PatentScope and Lens.org databases for patent family analysis.
5. USPTO Official Gazette. "Recent Trends in Pharmaceutical Patent Applications," 2021.

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Note: The above analysis is based on publicly available patent information and standard industry practices. For precise legal or patent advice, consult a qualified patent attorney.

Drugs Protected by US Patent 11,578,062

Applicant	Tradename	Generic Name	Dosage	NDA	Approval Date	TE	Type	RLD	RS	Patent No.	Patent Expiration	Product	Substance	Delist Req.	Patented / Exclusive Use	Submissiondate
Vertex Pharms Inc	TRIKAFTA (COPACKAGED)	elexacaftor, ivacaftor, tezacaftor; ivacaftor	GRANULES;ORAL	217660-001	Apr 26, 2023		RX	Yes	No			Y			TREATMENT OF CF IN PATIENTS AGED 2 TO
Vertex Pharms Inc	TRIKAFTA (COPACKAGED)	elexacaftor, ivacaftor, tezacaftor; ivacaftor	GRANULES;ORAL	217660-001	Apr 26, 2023		RX	Yes	No			Y			TREATMENT OF CF IN PATIENTS 6 YEARS AND OLDER WHO HAVE IN THE CFTR GENE AT LEAST ONE F508DEL MUTATION OR A RESPONSIVE MUTATION BASED ON CLINICAL AND/OR IN VITRO DATA BY ADMINISTERING ELX, IVA, AND A SOLID DISPERSION ACCORDING TO US 11578062 CLAIM 1
Vertex Pharms Inc	TRIKAFTA (COPACKAGED)	elexacaftor, ivacaftor, tezacaftor; ivacaftor	GRANULES;ORAL	217660-002	Apr 26, 2023		RX	Yes	Yes			Y			TREATMENT OF CF IN PATIENTS AGED 2 TO
Vertex Pharms Inc	TRIKAFTA (COPACKAGED)	elexacaftor, ivacaftor, tezacaftor; ivacaftor	GRANULES;ORAL	217660-002	Apr 26, 2023		RX	Yes	Yes			Y			TREATMENT OF CF IN PATIENTS 6 YEARS AND OLDER WHO HAVE IN THE CFTR GENE AT LEAST ONE F508DEL MUTATION OR A RESPONSIVE MUTATION BASED ON CLINICAL AND/OR IN VITRO DATA BY ADMINISTERING ELX, IVA, AND A SOLID DISPERSION ACCORDING TO US 11578062 CLAIM 1
Vertex Pharms Inc	ALYFTREK	deutivacaftor; tezacaftor; vanzacaftor calcium	TABLET;ORAL	218730-001	Dec 20, 2024		RX	Yes	No			Y			TREATMENT OF CYSTIC FIBROSIS IN PATIENTS AGED 6 YEARS AND OLDER WHO HAVE AT LEAST ONE F508DEL MUTATION OR ANOTHER RESPONSIVE MUTATION IN THE CFTR GENE WITH VANZACAFTOR, DEUTIVACAFTOR, AND A SOLID DISPERSION ACCORDING TO CLAIM 1 OF US 11,578,062

International Family Members for US Patent 11,578,062

Country	Patent Number	Estimated Expiration	Supplementary Protection Certificate	SPC Country	SPC Expiration
European Patent Office	2826776		301105	Netherlands
European Patent Office	2826776		122021000025	Germany
European Patent Office	2826776		LUC00207	Luxembourg
European Patent Office	2826776		PA2021508	Lithuania
European Patent Office	2826776		2021C/517	Belgium