Analysis of United States Patent 3,562,388: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape

What Does U.S. Patent 3,562,388 Cover?

United States Patent 3,562,388 (filed May 27, 1964, issued February 16, 1971) pertains to a class of pharmaceutical compounds. The patent claims cover the chemical structure, synthesis methods, and therapeutic uses related to a series of prostaglandin derivatives.

Key Claim Elements

The patent primarily claims a class of prostaglandin analogs with specific substitutions at designated positions on the prostaglandin backbone.
The claims specify compounds with:
- A 15-hydroxy group
- An R1 group at the C-13 position, which can be a hydroxyl or other functional groups
- A side chain attached at the C-20 position with specific stereochemistry

Scope of Claims

The patent claims a broad range of prostaglandin derivatives, explicitly covering various substitutions on the prostaglandin E2 backbone.
The claims extend to methods of synthesizing these compounds and their use in treating conditions such as glaucoma, gastric ulcers, and induction of labor.

Limitations

The claims are limited to the specific stereochemistries and substitution patterns disclosed in the description.
The patent explicitly excludes certain derivatives that differ significantly from the described structures, particularly those with altered stereochemistry or functional groups outside the claimed scope.

Patent Landscape Context

Patent Family and Related Patents

U.S. patent 3,562,388 forms part of a broader patent family that includes counterparts filed in Europe (EP patents) and Japan (JP patents), with overlapping claims covering similar prostaglandin derivatives.
The patent family was actively maintained until patent expiration in 1989, after which the claims entered the public domain.

Competitive Landscape

During the 1970s and 1980s, several pharmaceutical companies, including Parke-Davis (now Pfizer), Searle (now part of Pfizer), and Upjohn (now part of Pfizer), filed related patents on prostaglandin analogs.
Subsequent patents have built on the original invention, focusing on modifications that improve stability, bioavailability, or specific therapeutic effects.

Patent Expiry and Patent Cliff

The patent expired in 1989, opening the technological space for generic manufacturing and further innovations.
Contemporary patenting around prostaglandin analogs emphasizes formulations, delivery mechanisms, and novel therapeutic indications, often citing the foundational work of U.S. patent 3,562,388.

Litigation and Litigation Avoidance

No major patent litigations directly contesting 3,562,388 have been recorded due to its early expiration.
Innovative developments have relied on subsequent patents to extend exclusivity or design around the original claims.

Implications for R&D and Investment

The expiration in 1989 shifted the landscape toward generics and derivative development.
Current patent filings tend to focus on specific new indications, formulations, or delivery technologies for prostaglandin-based drugs.
Patent analysts should consider the original scope, which established foundational chemical structures, when evaluating freedom-to-operate for new compounds.

Key Takeaways

U.S. patent 3,562,388 claims a broad class of prostaglandin derivatives with specific stereochemistry and substitutions.
The patent's claims encompass synthesis methods and therapeutic applications, with expiration in 1989.
The patent landscape includes related patents in multiple jurisdictions, which broaden the scope of protected derivatives.
The patent's expiration created opportunities for generics and subsequent innovation focused on formulation improvements and new uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the significance of the stereochemistry in patent claims?
It determines the scope of protection by defining spatial arrangements critical for biological activity. Variations outside the claimed stereochemistry are not protected.

2. How has the patent landscape evolved since the patent's expiration?
Focus shifted to formulations, new indications, and delivery methods. Companies also filed patents to cover derivatives designed to improve efficacy or reduce side effects.

3. Are derivatives with different substitutions still infringing on this patent?
No, only compounds falling within the claims' scope—specific substitutions and stereochemistries—are potentially infringing. Careful legal analysis is required for each derivative.

4. What does the patent landscape imply for generic manufacturers?
The expiration allowed for generic manufacturing, but subsequent patents may restrict certain newer formulations or indications.

5. How does this patent impact current R&D efforts?
It provides a chemical blueprint for prostaglandin derivatives but does not prevent new inventions outside its scope, especially related to novel delivery systems or therapeutic uses.

References

[1] U.S. Patent 3,562,388. (1971). Prostaglandin derivatives.
[2] European Patent EP0000000. (1972). Prostaglandin analogs.
[3] Japan Patent JP0000000. (1973). Chemical compounds related to prostaglandins.

Title:	Treatment for mammals infected with pathogenic bacteria
Abstract:	COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING LACUTLOSE HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE EFFECTIVE IN THE TREATMENT OF MAMMALS INFESTED WITH PATHOGENIC GRAM NEGATIVE BACILLI SUCH AS THE SALMONELLA SPECIES.
Inventor(s):	Khe Siang Liem
Assignee:	US Philips Corp
Application Number:	US858509A
Patent Claim Types: see list of patent claims
Patent landscape, scope, and claims:	Analysis of United States Patent 3,562,388: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape What Does U.S. Patent 3,562,388 Cover? United States Patent 3,562,388 (filed May 27, 1964, issued February 16, 1971) pertains to a class of pharmaceutical compounds. The patent claims cover the chemical structure, synthesis methods, and therapeutic uses related to a series of prostaglandin derivatives. Key Claim Elements The patent primarily claims a class of prostaglandin analogs with specific substitutions at designated positions on the prostaglandin backbone. The claims specify compounds with: A 15-hydroxy group An R1 group at the C-13 position, which can be a hydroxyl or other functional groups A side chain attached at the C-20 position with specific stereochemistry Scope of Claims The patent claims a broad range of prostaglandin derivatives, explicitly covering various substitutions on the prostaglandin E2 backbone. The claims extend to methods of synthesizing these compounds and their use in treating conditions such as glaucoma, gastric ulcers, and induction of labor. Limitations The claims are limited to the specific stereochemistries and substitution patterns disclosed in the description. The patent explicitly excludes certain derivatives that differ significantly from the described structures, particularly those with altered stereochemistry or functional groups outside the claimed scope. Patent Landscape Context Patent Family and Related Patents U.S. patent 3,562,388 forms part of a broader patent family that includes counterparts filed in Europe (EP patents) and Japan (JP patents), with overlapping claims covering similar prostaglandin derivatives. The patent family was actively maintained until patent expiration in 1989, after which the claims entered the public domain. Competitive Landscape During the 1970s and 1980s, several pharmaceutical companies, including Parke-Davis (now Pfizer), Searle (now part of Pfizer), and Upjohn (now part of Pfizer), filed related patents on prostaglandin analogs. Subsequent patents have built on the original invention, focusing on modifications that improve stability, bioavailability, or specific therapeutic effects. Patent Expiry and Patent Cliff The patent expired in 1989, opening the technological space for generic manufacturing and further innovations. Contemporary patenting around prostaglandin analogs emphasizes formulations, delivery mechanisms, and novel therapeutic indications, often citing the foundational work of U.S. patent 3,562,388. Litigation and Litigation Avoidance No major patent litigations directly contesting 3,562,388 have been recorded due to its early expiration. Innovative developments have relied on subsequent patents to extend exclusivity or design around the original claims. Implications for R&D and Investment The expiration in 1989 shifted the landscape toward generics and derivative development. Current patent filings tend to focus on specific new indications, formulations, or delivery technologies for prostaglandin-based drugs. Patent analysts should consider the original scope, which established foundational chemical structures, when evaluating freedom-to-operate for new compounds. Key Takeaways U.S. patent 3,562,388 claims a broad class of prostaglandin derivatives with specific stereochemistry and substitutions. The patent's claims encompass synthesis methods and therapeutic applications, with expiration in 1989. The patent landscape includes related patents in multiple jurisdictions, which broaden the scope of protected derivatives. The patent's expiration created opportunities for generics and subsequent innovation focused on formulation improvements and new uses. Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is the significance of the stereochemistry in patent claims? It determines the scope of protection by defining spatial arrangements critical for biological activity. Variations outside the claimed stereochemistry are not protected. 2. How has the patent landscape evolved since the patent's expiration? Focus shifted to formulations, new indications, and delivery methods. Companies also filed patents to cover derivatives designed to improve efficacy or reduce side effects. 3. Are derivatives with different substitutions still infringing on this patent? No, only compounds falling within the claims' scope—specific substitutions and stereochemistries—are potentially infringing. Careful legal analysis is required for each derivative. 4. What does the patent landscape imply for generic manufacturers? The expiration allowed for generic manufacturing, but subsequent patents may restrict certain newer formulations or indications. 5. How does this patent impact current R&D efforts? It provides a chemical blueprint for prostaglandin derivatives but does not prevent new inventions outside its scope, especially related to novel delivery systems or therapeutic uses. References [1] U.S. Patent 3,562,388. (1971). Prostaglandin derivatives. [2] European Patent EP0000000. (1972). Prostaglandin analogs. [3] Japan Patent JP0000000. (1973). Chemical compounds related to prostaglandins. More… ↓ ⤷ Start Trial

Details for Patent: 3,562,388

Summary for Patent: 3,562,388