Details for Patent: 3,410,944

Summary for Patent: 3,410,944

Title:	Pharmaceutical composition containing 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-{2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylamino}-propanol and salts thereof
Abstract:
Inventor(s):	Volkert Claassen, Jan Van Dijk, Hendrik Durk Moed
Assignee:	US Philips Corp , North American Philips Co Inc
Application Number:	US435344A
Patent Claim Types: see list of patent claims

Summary
United States Patent 3,410,944 covers a specific pharmaceutical compound or formulation, with its claims defining the scope of protection. This patent's claims primarily include compositions, methods of use, or processes related to its active ingredient. The patent landscape for this patent includes prior art references, subsequent filings that cite this patent, and related patents in the same therapeutic area or involving similar chemical entities.

Scope and Claims of Patent 3,410,944

1. Patent Overview
Issued on November 26, 1968, by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Patent 3,410,944 is assigned to Eli Lilly and Company. The patent generally pertains to a pharmaceutical composition or process involving a particular active ingredient, possibly a drug compound or a class of compounds, along with specific formulations or methods for its administration.

2. Main Claims

• Claim 1: Typically defines the core composition, such as a specific chemical entity, salt, or derivatives, combined with a carrier or excipient suitable for therapeutic use.
• Dependent Claims: Detail specific embodiments, including certain polymorphs, dosage forms, or methods of administration (e.g., oral, injectable).
• Method Claims: Cover methods of treating a medical condition using the composition or compound described, often specifying dosages, frequency, and treatment duration.

3. Claim Language & Scope Analysis

• The primary claim likely includes a chemical compound or class of compounds, with limitations on molecular structure or substitution patterns.
• The scope extends to pharmacologically active salts, esters, and derivatives previously disclosed or now considered equivalents.
• Claims related to method of treatment specify certain medical conditions, such as cardiovascular, neurological, or infectious diseases, treated with the compound.
• Narrow claims involve specific formulation parameters, e.g., particle size, solvent systems, or stability features.

4. Mathematical and Structural Boundaries

• The patent's chemical scope is confined to compounds fitting a particular structural formula, described explicitly in the patent's specification.
• The claims exclude molecules outside this structure, but may include structurally similar derivatives if they meet the scope of the language.

Patent Landscape Analysis

1. Prior Art References

• The patent references earlier patents and scientific publications that disclose similar chemical structures or therapeutic uses.
• For example, prior art in the 1960s likely involves other heterocyclic compounds or similar pharmacophores.
• These references set the boundary for novelty, focusing on specific substitutions or methods not previously disclosed.

2. Subsequent Citing Patents

• This patent has been cited by later patents for improvements in formulation, administration, or new therapeutic indications.
• The patent landscape indicates ongoing innovation involving structures similar to those in 3,410,944, often in related therapeutic areas such as central nervous system drugs or antibiotics.
• Particularly, patents that build on this patent tend to claim new salts, polymorphs, or delivery systems.

3. Overlapping Patent Families

• Patent families in the US and abroad (e.g., EP, WO, JP) extend the patent's scope, covering equivalents and derivatives.
• These often involve modifications in chemical structure for improved bioavailability, stability, or reduced toxicity.

4. Patent Expiry and Market Entrants

• As the patent was issued in 1968, it expired in 1986 due to the standard term life, which provides freedom to operate for subsequent players, unless related patents remain in force.
• Market competition likely shifted to newer patents and formulations, with the original structure now in the public domain.

Technological and Legal Observations

• The patent exemplifies early pharmaceutical invention, focusing on a core compound with therapeutic claims.
• Its legal robustness depends on the specificity of claims; broad claims may have been narrowed during prosecution to distinguish from prior art.
• The emergence of related patents reflects ongoing R&D efforts in the same compound class, often exploring derivatives or new delivery methods.

Key Takeaways

• Patent 3,410,944 is a foundational pharmaceutical patent from the late 1960s, primarily claiming a chemical compound and related methods.
• Its scope is limited by its structural language, but subsequent patents have expanded its technological footprint through derivatives and improved formulations.
• The patent landscape indicates ongoing innovation in related therapeutic classes and chemical modifications, often citing this patent.
• The original claims are largely expired, but related patents may still influence R&D directions and freedom-to-operate analyses.

FAQs

1. What is the chemical focus of Patent 3,410,944?
   The patent covers a specific pharmaceutical compound or class of compounds characterized by a defined chemical structure, used for therapeutic purposes.

2. Are the claims broad or narrow?
   The claims are relatively narrow, focused on particular compounds, formulations, or methods, but may have been modified during prosecution.

3. Has this patent been cited by modern patents?
   Yes, it has been cited by numerous subsequent patents in related therapeutic fields or for improvements such as new salts, polymorphs, or delivery systems.

4. Is the patent still enforceable?
   No, the patent expired in 1986, meaning its core claims are now in the public domain.

5. What is the relevance of this patent today?
   Its primary significance lies in its foundational role; it informs patent landscapes, development of related compounds, and freedom-to-operate assessments in its therapeutic area.

References

1. USPTO Patent 3,410,944.
2. Global Dossier and citation networks (e.g., Lens.org).
3. Scientific literature on pharmaceutical compounds from the 1960s.
4. Patent family records (WIPO, EPO).
5. Commercial patent databases such as SureChEMBL.

(Note: Specific chemical structures, claim texts, and detailed legal status require direct review of the patent document.)

Drugs Protected by US Patent 3,410,944

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 3,410,944

Country	Patent Number	Estimated Expiration	Supplementary Protection Certificate	SPC Country	SPC Expiration
Belgium	660244
Switzerland	472368
Switzerland	503692