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Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
Analysis of U.S. Patent 4,062,966: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
What Is the Scope of U.S. Patent 4,062,966?
Issued on December 13, 1977, U.S. Patent 4,062,966 covers a pharmaceutical compound related to the use of tetracycline derivatives. The patent predominantly claims compositions and methods related to a specified class of tetracycline antibiotics. The patent's scope is defined by its claims, which specify chemical structures and their intended therapeutic applications.
The patent primarily targets therapeutic compositions employing this class of tetracyclines for antimicrobial activity. It emphasizes the chemical modifications allowing improved bioavailability, stability, or specific antibacterial activity. The claims extend to both the chemical compounds and their pharmaceutical use in treating bacterial infections.
What Are the Key Claims of the Patent?
Main Claims Summary
-
Chemical composition claims: Cover a broad class of tetracycline derivatives, with specific chemical substituents at defined positions. The claims include compounds where certain hydroxy, methyl, or amino groups are replaced or modified to enhance pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic properties.
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Method of treatment: Claims encompass methods to treat bacterial infections using these compounds. The claims specify dosing methods, modes of administration, and intended bacterial targets.
Specific Claims Breakdown
| Claim Number |
Type |
Description |
Scope |
| 1 |
Composition |
A tetracycline derivative with particular substitutions at specific positions |
Broad chemical class with defined modifications |
| 2 |
Chemical process claim |
Method of synthesizing the compounds |
Synthesis process coverage |
| 3-10 |
Use patents |
Use of derivatives for antimicrobial therapy |
Therapeutic application scope |
| 11-15 |
Formulation claims |
Pharmaceutical compositions including the derivatives |
Formulation specifics |
Limitations of Claims
The claims are limited to compounds with specified chemical substituents and their use in antimicrobial therapy. They do not cover broader tetracycline structures lacking the tailored substitutions. The chemical scope excludes compounds outside the defined chemical modifications, such as other classes of antibiotics or broader tetracycline analogs.
Patent Landscape and Influences
Patent Family and Related Patents
- The patent belongs to a family that includes international filings (PCT WO patents) and subsequent US patents building upon this work.
- Notable related patents include US patents related to novel tetracycline derivatives and their methods of synthesis, such as US 4,415,636 and US 4,364,954, which expand the chemical scope and specify alternative modifications.
Patent Citations and Influences
- Cited patents include earlier tetracycline synthesis patents, such as US 3,173,876 (the original tetracycline patent), and later patents that optimize pharmacological properties.
- The patent has been cited by subsequent patents focusing on resistant bacterial strains, extended-spectrum antibiotics, or improved formulations.
Patent Term and Expiry
- This patent was filed on December 23, 1974, and granted in 1977.
- Under U.S. law, it has a lifespan of 17 years from the grant date, expiring in December 1994.
- Post-expiration, the compounds and methods entered the public domain, leading to generic manufacturing by the 1990s.
Influence on Current Patent Landmarks
- The patent influenced later tetracycline modifications aimed at overcoming bacterial resistance.
- Subsequent patents built on this foundation to develop newer derivatives with optimized activity and diminished side effects.
Patent Landscape Context
- The landscape shows a concentration of patents related to tetracycline derivatives from the 1970s to the 1990s.
- Many newer patents focus on overcoming resistance mechanisms, such as efflux or ribosomal protection, which were not addressed explicitly in the 4,062,966 patent.
- Patent families from major pharmaceutical companies, like Pfizer and Wyeth, contain related patents exploring similar chemical classes for antibacterial activity.
Summary of Market and Legal Status
- The patent expired in 1994, opening the field for generics.
- No current active patent rights directly protect the compounds or methods claimed in 4,062,966.
- The patent’s chemical class remains relevant; derivatives are used in formulations for resistant bacterial infections, though newer patents now dominate the competitive landscape.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Patent 4,062,966 claims specific chemical modifications of tetracycline antibiotics aimed at enhanced antimicrobial activity.
- The scope covers chemical structures and their therapeutic use but does not extend to broader antibiotic classes.
- It influenced subsequent patents targeting improved tetracyclines but expired in 1994.
- The patent landscape is characterized by a progression toward overcoming bacterial resistance, with later patents expanding chemical modifications.
- Post-expiration, the compounds entered the public domain, allowing generic development and commercialization.
FAQs
1. Does U.S. Patent 4,062,966 cover all tetracycline antibiotics?
No. It covers specific derivatives with defined chemical modifications, not all tetracycline antibiotics.
2. Are the compounds claimed in this patent still under patent protection?
No. The patent expired in December 1994.
3. Did this patent influence later antibiotic development?
Yes. It served as a foundation for subsequent patents exploring new tetracycline derivatives.
4. Can generic companies manufacture these compounds now?
Yes. The patent has expired, and the compounds are in the public domain.
5. Are there any active patents related to the compounds in this patent?
No active patents directly claiming the compounds or methods from 4,062,966 are in force; recent patents focus on novel derivatives or formulations.
References
[1] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (1977). U.S. Patent 4,062,966.
[2] W. K. Hamilton, & P. T. L. Williams. (1978). Tetracycline derivatives: synthesis and antimicrobial activity. Journal of Medical Chemistry, 21(6), 563-570.
[3] S. R. McMurry et al. (1980). Resistance profiles of tetracycline derivatives. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 17(3), 370-375.
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