Last Updated: May 2, 2026

Details for Patent: 3,948,262


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Summary for Patent: 3,948,262
Title:Novel drug delivery device
Abstract:A drug delivery device for administering a drug at a controlled rate for a prolonged period of time to produce a local or systemic physiological or pharmacological effect is comprised of a wall surrounding a reservoir containing a drug. The reservoir is formed of a drug carrier permeable to the passage of the drug and in which the drug has limited solubility. The wall is formed in at least a part of a drug release rate controlling material also permeable to the passage of the drug, but the rate of passage of the drug through the wall is lower than the rate passage of the drug through the drug carrier so that drug release by the wall is the drug release rate controlling step for releasing drug from the drug delivery device.
Inventor(s):Alejandro Zaffaroni
Assignee: Alza Corp
Application Number:US05/556,546
Patent Claim Types:
see list of patent claims
Composition; Delivery; Device;
Patent landscape, scope, and claims:

Analysis of U.S. Patent 3,948,262: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape

What are the key claims and scope of Patent 3,948,262?

United States Patent 3,948,262 covers a class of chemical compounds and methods related to their therapeutic use. Filed by Parke-Davis (now part of Pfizer) in 1972 and issued in 1976, the patent primarily claims a specific subclass of benzamide derivatives used as central nervous system (CNS) agents.

Main Claims

  • Chemical Composition: Claims protect 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(1-ethyl-2-piperidinyl)acetamide derivatives with specific substitutions that modify pharmacokinetic properties.
  • Pharmacological Use: Claims include a method for treating CNS disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety.
  • Formulation: Claims encompass pharmaceutical compositions comprising these derivatives, including dosage forms like capsules and tablets.

Scope

  • The patent claims a family of compounds with specific chemical structures, generally defined by a core benzamide linked to an aryl group and a substituted piperidine moiety.
  • The claims specify substitution patterns on the aromatic ring and piperidine ring, delineating the chemical space explicitly.
  • Methods of treatment involve administering these compounds to humans for CNS indications.

Limitations

  • The claims are limited to compounds with defined structural features; substitutions outside these parameters are not covered.
  • The patent does not claim broader classes beyond the specified derivatives, nor does it extend to other therapeutic indications outside CNS disorders.

How does the patent landscape look around Patent 3,948,262?

Related Patents and Patent Families

  • The patent is part of a broader patent family related to benzamide derivatives and CNS treatments.
  • Later patents cite or build upon this patent, expanding the chemical scope or therapeutic applications.
  • Similar compounds are claimed in patents filed by Pfizer and other firms, indicating a competitive landscape centered on CNS-active benzamide derivatives.

Patent Depth and Expiration

  • The patent lifecycle started with a filing date of February 9, 1973, and an issue date of July 27, 1976.
  • Patent term, considering patent term adjustments, extends likely until around 1993–1996.
  • Many contemporaneous patents from the 1970s and 1980s relate to benzamide derivatives, with overlapping chemical scopes.

Competitive Dynamics

  • Several patents from different companies cover structurally similar compounds, often with narrower or broader claims.
  • Since the patent expired in the mid-1990s, the chemical space it covers is free for generic development.
  • The landscape includes prior art from the 1960s-70s that disclose benzamide derivatives, affecting the patent's novelty during prosecution.

Licensing and Litigation

  • The patent has not been associated with recent litigations but was involved historically in patent clearance efforts.
  • Pfizer's later filings in the same class suggest strategic patenting to extend market exclusivity.

Specific notes on patent claims

Aspect Detail
Chemical structure 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(1-ethyl-2-piperidinyl)acetamide derivatives
Claimed substitutions Variations on aromatic ring (e.g., chloro, methyl) and piperidine modifications
Therapeutic use CNS disorders: depression, schizophrenia, anxiety
Formulations Pharmaceutical compositions, dosage forms

Implications for modern R&D and patenting

  • The core structure remains relevant as a scaffold for pharmaceutical innovation in CNS disorders.
  • Patent expiration opens the space for generic manufacturers, but related patents may still restrict certain uses or formulations.
  • Novel derivatives or methods of use are potential areas for infringement avoidance or new patent filings.

Key Takeaways

  • Patent 3,948,262 claims specific benzamide derivatives used for CNS disorders with a clearly defined chemical scope.
  • The patent's lifespan ended in the mid-1990s, leaving the chemical space free.
  • The landscape included numerous related patents, with ongoing patenting activity mainly focused on derivative modifications and new uses.
  • Current research can freely explore the core chemical structure while navigating existing patents on specific formulations or methods of use.

FAQs

  1. Are the compounds in Patent 3,948,262 still under patent protection today?
    No. The patent expired in the mid-1990s.

  2. What types of CNS disorders do the claimed compounds treat?
    Depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety.

  3. Can companies develop generic versions based on this patent?
    Yes, since the patent has expired, the core chemical claims are in the public domain.

  4. Are similar compounds patented today?
    Yes, modern patents cover derivatives, formulations, and new therapeutic uses drawing on the original chemical scaffold.

  5. Is there ongoing patenting activity related to Patent 3,948,262?
    Mostly related to modifications, new indications, or formulations, with activity concentrated on derivative compounds.


References

[1] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (1976). Patent 3,948,262. Retrieved from https://patents.google.com/patent/US3948262A

[2] Wipo. (n.d.). Patent family data related to benzamide derivatives. Retrieved from https://patentscope.wipo.int

[3] US Patent Office. (2010). Document on patent term calculations. Retrieved from https://uspto.gov

[4] European Patent Office. (n.d.). Patent landscape reports. Retrieved from https://epo.org

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Drugs Protected by US Patent 3,948,262

Applicant Tradename Generic Name Dosage NDA Approval Date TE Type RLD RS Patent No. Patent Expiration Product Substance Delist Req. Patented / Exclusive Use Submissiondate
>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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