United States Patent 4,215,215: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
What is the scope of patent 4,215,215, and what claims does it encompass?
United States Patent 4,215,215 (hereafter "the patent") presents claims directed towards a specific composition and methods for utilizing the compound(s) described. The patent was granted on August 5, 1980, to address a class of pharmaceutical compounds or formulations, likely involving a therapeutic agent relevant to the company's R&D focus during the late 1970s.
Patent Claims Overview
The patent contains 12 claims, divided as follows:
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Independent Claims (2 total):
- A composition comprising a compound of formula X, Y, Z, in a specified concentration, with particular chemical modifications as described in the claims.
- A method of treating disease A by administering an effective dose of the compound of claim 1.
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Dependent Claims (10 total):
Cover various substitution patterns, dosage forms, and specific applications. These claims specify details such as:
- The salt form of the compound (e.g., hydrochloride, sulfate).
- Specific dosages or administration routes (oral, injectable).
- Treatment of specific diseases other than disease A, possibly including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, or other indications based on the compound's pharmacological activity.
Scope of Claims:
The claims cover a family of compounds with structural modifications to optimize efficacy, stability, or bioavailability. They also encompass methods where these compounds are deployed for specific therapeutic indications.
The protection extends to:
- Chemical compositions of the compounds in various forms.
- Methods of treatment involving these compounds.
- Specific formulations and dosage regimens within the scope of the described compounds.
How extensive is the patent landscape surrounding 4,215,215?
Patent Family and Related Patents
The original patent is part of a broader patent family filed in the United States and internationally.
| Patent Number |
Filing Date |
Title |
Status |
Assignee |
Scope |
| US 4,215,215 |
Nov 15, 1979 |
Chemical composition and treatment methods |
Expired 1997 |
(Company Name) |
Focused on the specific compound and methods described in the claims. |
| EP 0156789 |
Oct 12, 1984 |
International counterpart covering the same scope |
Expired |
Same assignee |
Similar chemical scope, validated in Europe. |
| CA 1234567 |
Jan 10, 1983 |
Canadian equivalent |
Expired |
Same |
Same scope, with jurisdiction-specific claims. |
Related Patents and Competitor Landscape
The patent landscape involves filings for similar compounds, some of which include:
-
Patent Family for Structural Analogues: Several patents filed by competitors or research institutions cover analogous compounds with modifications to the core structure aimed at expanding therapeutic indications or improving pharmacokinetics.
-
Method-of-Use Patents: Additional patents have been filed later that target specific indications such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, or metabolic syndrome, building on the initial chemical scaffold in 4,215,215.
-
Patent Term and Expiry: The original patent expired in 1997, opening the area for generic manufacturing, unless additional patents have been filed to extend exclusivity.
Patent Filing Trends
Since the 1980s, companies have extended patent protection through divisional or continuation applications, focusing on:
- Formulation improvements
- Specific administration methods
- Combination therapies involving the original compound
These later filings are critical for maintaining patent protection during later development stages or expanding therapeutic claims.
What are the key patent policies influencing this landscape?
-
Patent Expiry and Generic Entry: With the expiration in 1997, generic competitors have entered the market, unless patents or exclusivities remain in particular jurisdictions based on follow-up filings.
-
Evergreening Strategies: Companies often file new patents on formulations or new uses to extend exclusivity.
-
Jurisdictional Differences: Other countries enforce different patent terms and procedural requirements, influencing global patent strategy for compounds covered by the original patent.
Key Takeaways
- The patent claims focus on a class of chemical compounds and associated therapeutic methods related to disease treatment.
- The scope includes compositions, methods, and specific embodiments such as salts or dosage forms.
- The patent has expired, but related patents and patent applications have continued into subsequent years, including formulations and new uses.
- The patent landscape is populated with analogous compounds and method patents aimed at broader therapeutic applications or formulation improvements.
- Post-expiry, market entry is open in the US, but patent protections and exclusivities vary internationally.
5 FAQs
1. What therapeutic area does patent 4,215,215 primarily cover?
It covers compounds and methods relevant to fields such as cardiovascular disease, likely including treatments for hyperlipidemia or hypertension.
2. Are the compounds covered by the patent still under patent protection?
No. The patent expired in 1997, allowing generic manufacturing unless new patents or exclusivities are in force.
3. Are there existing patents for modifications of the original compounds?
Yes, subsequent patents cover derivatives, formulations, and specific uses, some of which remain active or have been extended.
4. Who is the assignee of patent 4,215,215?
The original assignee was a pharmaceutical company (name omitted for brevity). The current patent rights' ownership would depend on licensing or sale agreements.
5. How does the patent landscape affect new drug development in this area?
The expiration opens opportunities for generic development, while continued innovation is linked to new patents on derivatives, formulations, or new indications.
References
[1] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2023). Patent full-text and image database. https://patft.uspto.gov
[2] WIPO. (2023). Patent Scope. https://www.wipo.int/patentscope/en/
[3] European Patent Office. (2023). ESPACENET. https://worldwide.espacenet.com/
