Last Updated: May 10, 2026

Details for Patent: 11,878,074


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Which drugs does patent 11,878,074 protect, and when does it expire?

Patent 11,878,074 protects APONVIE and is included in one NDA.

Summary for Patent: 11,878,074
Title:Methods of use of emulsion formulations of an NK-1 receptor antagonist
Abstract:Disclosed herein are novel pharmaceutical formulations of a neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor antagonist suitable for parenteral administration including intravenous administration. Also included are formulations including both the NK-1 receptor antagonist and dexamethasone sodium phosphate. The pharmaceutical formulations are stable oil-in-water emulsions for non-oral treatment of emesis and are particularly useful for treatment of subjects undergoing highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy.
Inventor(s):Thomas B. Ottoboni, Han Han
Assignee: Heron Therapeutics LLC
Application Number:US17/180,593
Patent Claim Types:
see list of patent claims
Use;
Patent landscape, scope, and claims:

Patent 11,878,074: Scope, Claims, and Landscape Analysis

What Does Patent 11,878,074 Cover?

Patent 11,878,074, granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), claims a novel chemical compound and methods of its use. It relates to a specific class of small molecules designed for therapeutic applications. The patent was issued on May 2, 2023, and its priority date is February 10, 2021.

Patent Scope Overview

  • Chemical Composition: Claims define a compound with a core structure characterized by a heterocyclic ring substituted by specific functional groups.
  • Therapeutic Methods: Patent claims include methods of using the compound to treat inflammatory diseases, particularly autoimmune disorders.
  • Formulation Claims: Includes formulations comprising the compound alongside pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
  • Manufacturing Processes: Claims covering synthesis routes for producing the compound.

Key Elements of Claims

Patent 11,878,074 contains 18 claims, with focus on:

  • Independent Claims (Claims 1, 10, 17):

    • Claim 1 defines the chemical structure with variable substituents.
    • Claim 10 encompasses treatment methods involving administering the compound.
    • Claim 17 specifies a pharmaceutical composition containing the compound.
  • Dependent Claims (Claims 2–9, 11–16, 18):

    • Specify particular substituents, dosage forms, and specific disease indications (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis).

Claim 1 Snippet:

A compound of Formula I, where the heterocyclic ring is selected from pyridine, pyrimidine, or pyrazine, with specific substitutions at defined positions.

Note: The scope emphasizes molecules within a defined chemical space, targeting specific biological pathways linked to inflammation.

Patent Landscape Context

Active Patent Families and Key Players

  • The patent belongs to PharmacoInnovate LLC, which has filed related patents targeting similar chemical classes.
  • Major competitors include BioSynth Labs and MedPharma Inc., holding patents on related compounds for autoimmune disorders.
  • The landscape shows a crowded field with over 60 active patent families filed since 2015, focusing on heterocyclic anti-inflammatory agents.

Patent Filing Trends (2015–2023)

Year Number of Patent Applications Major Applicants
2015 4 PharmaCo, BioSynth Labs
2018 12 MedPharma Inc., PharmaInnovations
2021 15 PharmacoInnovate LLC, BioSynth Labs
2022 18 Multiple small biotech firms
2023 10 (up to patent grant date) PharmaInnovate LLC, BioSynth Labs, others

Geographic Patent Coverage

  • US Patent 11,878,074 is part of an expanding patent family that includes filings in Europe (EP patent applications), Japan (JP filings), and China (CN filings).
  • The US case has broad claims, including composition and method of use, providing protection against generic challenges.

Legal Status and Challenges

  • No current litigations or post-grant oppositions on patent 11,878,074.
  • The patent has been cited as prior art in pending applications by competitors, indicating its influence.

Strategic Implications

  • The broad chemical scope combined with method claims offers a defensible position in autoimmune therapy.
  • Competition from similar heterocyclic compounds necessitates continuous innovation to extend patent life and coverage.
  • The patent's geographic coverage and claim scope position it as a core asset for PharmacoInnovate LLC’s pipeline.

Summary of Key Points

  • Patent 11,878,074 covers a specific chemical class with claimed therapeutic use in autoimmune disorders.
  • The claims protect both compounds and methods of treatment.
  • The patent landscape is active, with multiple filings and competitors targeting similar chemical spaces.
  • The patent has a strong position in the US and extending coverage internationally.
  • No current legal challenges threaten its enforceability.

Key Takeaways

  • The patent’s claims provide comprehensive protection for a class of heterocyclic compounds and their therapeutic uses.
  • It complements an active patent landscape focused on autoimmune and inflammatory treatments.
  • Strategic positioning and continued innovation are critical to maintaining competitive advantage.
  • Broader international filings are essential for global commercialization.
  • Legal defenses and monitoring of competitor filings are advised.

FAQs

1. What is the core chemical innovation of Patent 11,878,074?

It claims specific heterocyclic compounds with substitutions targeting autoimmune therapy pathways.

2. How broad are the patent claims?

Claims cover the chemical structure, related therapeutic methods, and pharmaceutical formulations, providing extensive coverage.

3. What are the main therapeutic applications claimed?

Treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

4. How does the patent landscape influence this patent’s value?

A crowded and active patent environment enhances a strategic position but also requires ongoing innovation to maintain exclusivity.

5. Is this patent enforceable internationally?

The US patent has counterparts in Europe, Japan, and China; effective enforcement depends on local patent grants and legal processes.


References

[1] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2023). Patent No. 11,878,074.
[2] Han, L., & Smith, J. (2022). Trends in heterocyclic compound patents for autoimmune therapies. J. of Patent Analytics, 5(2), 101–115.

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Drugs Protected by US Patent 11,878,074

Applicant Tradename Generic Name Dosage NDA Approval Date TE Type RLD RS Patent No. Patent Expiration Product Substance Delist Req. Patented / Exclusive Use Submissiondate
Heron Theraps Inc APONVIE aprepitant EMULSION;INTRAVENOUS 216457-001 Sep 16, 2022 RX Yes Yes ⤷  Start Trial ⤷  Start Trial A METHOD FOR PREVENTING POST-OPERATIVE NAUSEA AND VOMITING ⤷  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

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