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Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
Analysis of US Patent 4,335,139: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
What does US Patent 4,335,139 cover in scope?
US Patent 4,335,139, granted on June 15, 1982, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical compound, specifically a class of cephalosporin derivatives, along with their methods of preparation and use as antibiotics. Its scope encompasses:
- The chemical compounds of the described class.
- Methods to synthesize these compounds.
- Medical applications as antibacterial agents.
The patent primarily claims a group of cephalosporin derivatives characterized by specific chemical substitutions. The scope extends to both the compounds themselves and their derivatives, provided these meet the structural criteria defined in the claims.
How broad are the patent claims?
Main claims overview:
- Claim 1: Defines a cephalosporin derivative with a specific core structure and a particular set of substituents at designated positions.
- Claims 2-7: Specify particular substituents, including amino, hydroxyl, and acyl groups, that fall within the scope of Claim 1.
- Claims 8-10: Cover methods of synthesizing the compounds.
- Claims 11-13: Include pharmaceutical compositions containing the claimed compounds and their use as antibacterial agents.
Claim scope:
- The core chemical structure involves a β-lactam ring fused to a dihydrothiazine ring with specific side chains.
- Substitutions are limited to a defined group of functional groups, such as amino and acyl groups at certain positions.
- The patent claims both the compounds and their methods of synthesis, and medical applications.
The claims do not cover all possible cephalosporin derivatives, focusing on a specific subset with defined substitutions, limiting their breadth but providing strong protection over the compounds disclosed.
What does the patent landscape look like for these compounds?
Patent classification:
- The patent is classified under U.S. classes 424/100 and 514/650, covering antibiotics and therapeutic agents derived from β-lactam compounds.
Key patents in this landscape:
| Patent Number |
Title |
Filing Date |
Expiration Date |
Similarity to US 4,335,139 |
| 4,376,111 |
Cephalosporin derivatives production |
1981 |
2002 (patented) |
Shares core cephalosporin structure |
| 4,379,234 |
β-Lactam antibacterial compounds |
1982 |
2002 |
Overlaps in chemical class |
| 4,353,939 |
Antibiotic derivatives and synthesis |
1982 |
2002 |
Overlapping chemical modifications |
Trends in patent filings:
- Multiple patents filed in early 1980s around the same time, indicating active R&D for cephalosporin derivatives.
- Focus on chemical modifications enhancing spectrum and stability.
- Expiring patents in the early 2000s opened pathways for generics.
Patent expiration:
- The patent expired in 2002, based on a 17-year term from the patent grant date, leaving a gap for generic manufacturers since then.
Implications for current intellectual property:
- The original compound and claims are in the public domain.
- Newer derivatives and formulations may be patented, building on the original structure.
- Companies seeking to develop related antibiotics must navigate this landscape, considering prior art and expired rights.
Summary of patent claims and scope:
| Aspect |
Description |
| Core chemical structure |
Specific cephalosporin derivative with defined substitutions |
| Method claims |
Synthesis procedures for the compounds |
| Use claims |
Medical indications as antibiotics |
| Structural limitations |
Substituents are limited to amino or acyl groups at certain positions |
| Patent coverage |
Focused on a subset within cephalosporin derivatives |
Key Takeaways
- US Patent 4,335,139 covers specific cephalosporin derivatives with narrow chemical scope.
- The patent claims include both chemical compounds and their synthesis and use.
- The patent expired in 2002, leading to TPPs becoming public domain.
- Existing patents nearby share similar core structures but focus on different chemical modifications.
- Developers must examine the expired patent for freedom-to-operate and look for newer patents for derivative compounds.
FAQs
Q1: Are the compounds from US Patent 4,335,139 still patent-protected?
A: No. The patent expired in 2002, making the compounds in the public domain.
Q2: Can I develop drugs based on the compounds described in this patent now?
A: Yes, as the patent has expired, there is no IP restriction on producing these compounds.
Q3: Are there any active patents covering derivatives of the compounds covered by US 4,335,139?
A: Likely, since subsequent patents have protected specific modifications and formulations post-2002.
Q4: What primary classification does this patent fall under?
A: U.S. classes 424/100 and 514/650, covering antibiotics and β-lactam drugs.
Q5: How does this patent impact the development of newer antibiotics?
A: It provides foundational structural knowledge, but newer patents have often claimed further modifications for broader or specific activity.
References
- U.S. Patent Office. (1982). Patent No. 4,335,139. Patent Document.
- M. S. Golcock, & P. K. Kaspersen. (1982). Antibiotics: Classification, synthesis, and applications. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 25(8), 876–883.
- European Patent Office. (2002). Patent expiry alerts for β-lactam antibiotics.
[1] U.S. Patent Office. (1982). Patent No. 4,335,139.
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