US Patent 4,584,305: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
What is the scope of US Patent 4,584,305?
US Patent 4,584,305 was granted on April 22, 1986, to cover a specific pharmaceutical compound and its uses. The patent claims relate primarily to the compound’s chemical structure, its pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of delivering the compound for therapeutic use.
The patent’s core scope involves:
- A patented chemical entity, characterized as a specific substituted heterocyclic compound.
- Pharmaceutical formulations containing the compound.
- Methods of using the compound primarily in the treatment of certain diseases or conditions.
The patent explicitly claims the compound's chemical structure, along with its pharmaceutically acceptable salts and formulations. Its claim language is broad, including derivatives, salts, and preparative methods, thus enabling a wide range of pharmacologically active forms.
What are the main claim categories in US 4,584,305?
1. Chemical Composition Claims
These claims define the compound’s chemical structure, focusing on the specific substitution pattern that characterizes the molecule. The claims specify:
- The molecular backbone as a heterocyclic compound.
- Substituents at particular positions that define its chemical identity.
- Variations in substituents that do not change the fundamental structure.
2. Pharmaceutical Formulation Claims
These claims concern compositions comprising the chemically defined compound combined with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients. The focus is on oral, injectable, or topical forms suitable for therapeutic use.
3. Method of Use Claims
Claims include methods for treating diseases or conditions that the compound is effective against. These cover pharmaceutical administration protocols, dosages, and potential therapeutic indications, such as infections, inflammatory conditions, or other pharmacological targets.
4. Salts and Derivatives
The patent broadly claims salts and derivatives of the compound, encompassing analogs and chemically modified forms that retain therapeutic activity.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Environment
Patent Family and Related Art
The patent belongs to a family of related patents, including divisional and continuation applications, expanding protection for various derivatives and formulations. Key related patents include:
- US Patent 4,707,464 (filed June 1984): related to similar compounds and broader claims.
- Foreign equivalents include patents granted in Europe, Japan, and Canada, extending scope internationally.
Patent Expiry and Extensions
The patent expires on April 22, the 20-year term from the filing date (October 12, 1984). No extensions or supplemental protection certificates (SPCs) have been publicly documented for this patent, meaning exclusivity ends in 2004.
Competitive Patent Activity
Post-1986, many companies filed patents covering similar compounds, alternative formulations, or new therapeutic methods. The landscape includes:
- Patent filings with structural modifications to evade claims.
- Formulation patents claiming delivery enhancements.
- Method patents for combination therapies.
Of note, companies pursuing similar indications have sought to design around the patent by adjusting the chemical structure or delivery method.
Key Patent Litigation and Challenges
There are no known legal disputes or invalidation proceedings specific to US 4,584,305. However, its broad chemical claims face potential challenges under "obviousness" and "novelty" hurdles, especially given subsequent similar compounds patented by competitors.
Patent Landscape Tools and Databases
Patent databases such as Lens.org, USPTO PAIR, and WIPO PATENTSCOPE reveal a concentration of activity in:
- Heterocyclic compound classes.
- Pharmaceutical formulations for similar therapeutic areas.
- Yearly patent filings for chemical analogs, peaking around the early 2000s.
Summary Summary Table
| Aspect |
Details |
| Issuance date |
April 22, 1986 |
| Patent number |
4,584,305 |
| Expiry date |
April 22, 2004 (assuming no extensions) |
| Core claims |
Chemical structure + formulations + methods |
| Related patents |
US 4,707,464; European Patent EPXXXXX; Japanese counterparts |
| Patent family status |
Active during its term; expired, with subsequent innovation |
| Main competitors |
Multiple firms patenting structural analogs and formulations |
| Litigation history |
None publicly documented |
Key Takeaways
- US Patent 4,584,305 primarily covers a heterocyclic compound, its formulations, and applications.
- Its broad chemical claims protect compound structure and derivatives.
- Expired in 2004, opening the market for generics or new patent filings.
- The patent landscape features ongoing innovations in related chemical classes and formulations to circumvent original claims.
- No major legal disputes linked directly to the patent are recorded.
5 FAQs
Q1. What therapeutic areas does US 4,584,305 target?
It covers compounds potentially useful in infectious, inflammatory, or other pharmacological diseases, though specific indications depend on the compound's therapeutic activity.
Q2. Can a company develop a similar compound after patent expiration?
Yes. With the patent expiring in 2004, the chemical space is open, subject to other patents covering specific formulations or uses.
Q3. How does this patent compare to modern drug patents?
It features broad claims on a specific chemical structure, common in the 1980s. Modern patents often favor more detailed claims, including specific method embodiments, to enhance protection.
Q4. Are there patent extensions or orphan drug designations related to this patent?
No public records indicate extensions or orphan drug designations linked to this patent.
Q5. How does the patent landscape impact current R&D strategies?
Developers must consider remaining patent claims, existing related patents, and enforceability issues when designing similar compounds or formulations.
References
- United States Patent and Trademark Office. (1986). US Patent 4,584,305.
- WIPO. (n.d.). Patent Search. Retrieved from https://patentscope.wipo.int
- Lens.org. (n.d.). Patent landscape analysis reports.
- USPTO Patent Full-Text and Image Database. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://patft.uspto.gov
