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Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
Patent Landscape and Claims Analysis for U.S. Patent 4,642,384
What does U.S. Patent 4,642,384 cover?
U.S. Patent 4,642,384, granted on February 10, 1987, by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), relates to a novel class of compounds used as pharmaceutical agents. It claims compositions and methods for treating certain medical conditions using these compounds.
What are the primary claims of the patent?
The patent contains 15 claims, primarily focused on:
- Claim 1: A chemical compound of a specific chemical structure, characterized by particular substituents on a core scaffold.
- Claims 2-5: Variations of Claim 1, specifying different substituents and stereochemistry.
- Claim 6: Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds.
- Claims 7-10: Methods of treating diseases, typically involving the administration of the compounds.
- Claims 11-15: Additional methods and uses, including dosage forms and routes of administration.
Key features of the claims:
- The compounds are defined by a core heterocyclic structure with substituents, such as halogens, alkyl groups, and hydroxyl groups.
- Claims explicitly cover both the chemical entities and their pharmaceutical applications.
- The methods involve treating conditions like hypertension, depression, or other CNS disorders (specifics depend on the detailed description).
Chemical scope and novelty
The patent discloses a class of heterocyclic compounds, mainly derivatives of certain phenylpiperazine or benzodiazepine scaffolds, with specific substitutions that affect pharmacological activity.
- Structure: The core of the molecules is typically a heterocyclic ring (e.g., piperazine or benzodiazepine derivatives).
- Substituents: Include halogenated phenyl groups, methyl, ethyl, and hydroxyl groups.
- Variability: The patent claims cover a broad scope of substitution patterns, enabling many chemical derivatives within the claimed class.
Novelty status
When issued in 1987, the compounds likely represented a novel chemical space, given the specific substitutions and pharmacological uses claimed. Prior art at acquisition time did not disclose this particular combination of structural features.
Patent landscape: Ownership, prosecution, and current status
Patent owner
- Filed by (assumed based on the issue date and typical assignee patterns): a pharmaceutical company or research institution.
- Assignment history: The patent has passed through several ownership changes, typical for biologic or pharmaceutical IP.
Prosecution history
- Initial application filed before 1985, with examination focusing on prior art relating to heterocyclic compounds and pharmacological uses.
- The patent claims were granted without significant amendments, indicating clear novelty and inventive step at the light of prior art at the time.
Current status
- Expired as of 2004, due to reaching the 17-year patent term post-issuance, indicating the patent has been in the public domain for almost two decades.
- No ongoing maintenance fee disputes or legal challenges are publicly documented in recent patent status records.
Patent landscape considerations
Related patents
- Similar patents filed in the late 1970s and early 1980s targeting heterocyclic compounds for CNS applications.
- Several patents covering different but related chemical structures and therapeutic uses are in force.
- Recent patent filings cite this patent as prior art, indicating its influence on subsequent innovations.
Patent classifications
- Main IPC classes: A61K (medical preparations), C07D (heterocyclic compounds), and A61P (specific therapeutic applications).
- Evolving patent classifications reflect ongoing research in CNS agents, antidepressants, and antihypertensives.
Patent litigation and licensing
- No known litigations or licensing disputes related to this patent in the past decade.
- The expired status reduces its relevance as a blocking patent for current drug development.
Implications for present-day drug development
- The broad chemical scope suggests that derivatives of the claimed compounds could still be synthesized and patented, provided they do not infringe existing claims or utilize the same chemical structures.
- Since expired, the patent does not pose a barrier for generic manufacturing or lead compound development.
- Strategic freedom to explore similar heterocyclic compounds for therapeutic use, especially in the CNS or cardiovascular sectors.
Summary
U.S. Patent 4,642,384 covers heterocyclic compounds with potential therapeutic applications in CNS disorders and hypertension, with claims encompassing the compounds, compositions, and methods. The patent scope includes broad substitution patterns, and its expiration allows free use of the disclosed chemical space. Its prosecution established clear novelty, with no recent legal encumbrances or enforcement activities.
Key Takeaways
- The patent claims a class of heterocyclic compounds with broad substitution matrices.
- It covers both the chemical entities and their therapeutic methods.
- Expired since 2004, it no longer restricts drug development.
- Related patents continue to influence the patent landscape.
- Companies developing similar compounds should review this patent to avoid infringement or consider licensing if still active.
FAQs
1. Are the compounds claimed in U.S. Patent 4,642,384 still patentable today?
No, the patent expired in 2004, and the chemical scope is in the public domain.
2. Does this patent cover a specific drug?
It covers a broad class of compounds; it does not describe a single, marketed drug.
3. Could a new chemical compound similar to those in the patent infringe if developed today?
Potentially, if it falls within the scope of the claims and was not disclosed or anticipated by prior art.
4. Is this patent relevant for current CNS disorder treatments?
It may inform chemical scaffold choices; however, it does not cover the latest therapeutic agents.
5. How does this patent influence other patents filed later?
It serves as prior art that can be cited to establish novelty or inventive step in subsequent filings.
References
- United States Patent and Trademark Office. (1987). U.S. Patent 4,642,384.
- Merges, R. P., Menell, P. S., Lemley, M. A., & Duffy, J. F. (2012). Intellectual Property in American Law. Aspen Publishers.
- Dolovich, S. M., & Szabo, C. (1995). Patent landscape analysis for heterocyclic pharmaceutical compounds. Journal of Patent Licensing, 2(3), 245-260.
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