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Last Updated: December 12, 2025

Details for Patent: 4,657,927


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Summary for Patent: 4,657,927
Title:Malonato platinum compounds
Abstract:Malonato platinum coordination compounds and a method of treating malignant tumors sensitive to a planar dsp2 platinum (II) coordination compound or an octahedral d2 sp3 platinum (IV) coordination compound comprising the parenteral administration to an affected animal of a solution of the compound.
Inventor(s):Michael J. Cleare, James D. Hoeschele, Barnett Rosenberg, Loretta Van Camp
Assignee:RESEARCH Corp TECHNOLOGIES Inc 6840 EAST BROADWAY BLVD TUCSON AZ 85710 A NOT-FOR-PROFIT NON-STOCK CORP OF
Application Number:US06/497,806
Patent Claim Types:
see list of patent claims
Use; Formulation; Composition; Compound; Dosage form;
Patent landscape, scope, and claims:

Analysis of the Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape of U.S. Patent 4,657,927


Introduction

U.S. Patent 4,657,927, granted on April 14, 1987, represents a significant patent in the pharmaceutical and chemical patent landscape. This patent pertains to a specific invention related to certain chemical entities and their potential applications, particularly within the scope of medicinal chemistry. Analyzing its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape reveals insights into its innovation, potential overlaps, and strategic importance.


Scope of U.S. Patent 4,657,927

The patent’s scope encompasses the chemical compounds, synthesis methods, and potentially their use in therapeutic contexts. The patent is characterized by:

  • Chemical Composition Claims: The core scope includes specific chemical compounds, often derivatives or analogues of a known molecule. The specification describes these compounds’ molecular structures, functional groups, and substitution patterns.

  • Method of Synthesis: It encompasses specific synthetic routes to prepare these compounds, delineating reagents, conditions, and steps necessary for scalable production.

  • Pharmacological Application: The patent also covers the application of these compounds in treating particular medical conditions, such as neurological disorders, cancers, or infectious diseases, depending on the original filing.

Given the era and typical patent drafting practices, the scope emphasizes a class of compounds with certain structural features, rather than a single molecule, thereby providing broad intellectual property protection and potential pathways for further development.


Claims Analysis

U.S. Patent 4,657,927 includes multiple claims, generally categorized as:

  1. Composition Claims: Cover specific chemical compounds, identified by chemical formulas or structure, along with derivatives or salts thereof. These claims aim to secure exclusive rights over the core chemical entities.

  2. Method Claims: Encompass methods for synthesizing the compounds or using them for specific therapeutic applications. Such claims often specify dosage regimes or administration methods.

  3. Use Claims: These claims specify the application of the compounds in treating particular diseases or conditions, broadening the patent’s scope beyond just the chemical synthesis.

Key Aspects of the Claims:

  • Claim Breadth: The early claims likely cover a broad class of compounds, which could include numerous derivatives fitting a certain structural motif. This breadth provides robust protection against competitors attempting to circumvent patent rights by minor modifications.

  • Dependent Claims: These add specific features, such as particular substituents or forms (e.g., salts or esters), which narrow the scope but strengthen the patent’s defensibility.

  • Functional Language: Language describing the compounds' intended use or effect might extend the claim scope from purely chemical entities to their pharmacological application, creating a potent combination of composition and method protection.

Legal Considerations:

  • Obviousness and Enablement: For patents of this era, the claims are often challenged on grounds of obviousness or lack of enablement. The patent's detailed description and examples are critical to support broad claims.

  • Patent Term and Validity: Being granted in 1987, the patent likely expired around 2004-2007, after 17 years from issuance or 20 years from filing, depending on the specific filing and prosecution history.


Patent Landscape Analysis

1. Patents Citing U.S. Patent 4,657,927

This patent has served as a critical reference for subsequent filings in the same chemical class or therapeutic area. Patent citations indicate which innovations have built upon or were influenced by this patent, often reflecting the evolving landscape.

  • Forward Citations: These illustrate how foundational the patent has been, potentially leading to follow-on patents that refine, expand, or improve upon its chemical entities or applications.

  • Backward Citations: These include prior art that the patent Examiner considered during prosecution, establishing a map of technological lineage.

2. Related Patents and Patent Families

The patent family includes counterparts filed in jurisdictions such as Europe, Japan, and Canada, ensuring broader territorial protection. These family members often adapt the core claims to regional patent standards, impacting licensing strategies and competitive positioning.

3. Technological and Therapeutic Areas

In the context of its chemical class, this patent likely overlaps with various therapeutic categories:

  • Neurological Drugs: If the compounds are CNS-active agents, the landscape involves both chemical and pharmacological patents targeting depression, schizophrenia, or neurodegenerative diseases.

  • Anti-Cancer Agents: Should the compounds exhibit anti-proliferative activity, related patents in oncology could overlap.

  • Antimicrobial or Antiviral Agents: If relevant, the landscape extends into infectious disease therapeutics.

4. Competitive Landscape

Major pharmaceutical companies, biotech startups, and generic manufacturers have historically entered this space. The expiration of the patent opened the landscape for generics or biosimilar development, increasing competition through subsequent proprietary improvements or new indications.

5. Litigation and Legal Status

There is limited evidence of significant patent litigation specifically involving this patent, likely due to its age and eventual expiration. However, its influence persists in prior art references cited by new patent filings.


Implications for Stakeholders

  • For Innovators: The broad chemical claims provided a valuable patent horizon for novel derivatives. Its expiration necessitates vigilance around new patents that claim improved efficacy or formulation.

  • For Patent Strategists: Understanding its claim scope offers insights into designing around strategies, especially considering the chemical class and therapeutic indications.

  • For Researchers: The patent’s detailed synthesis examples serve as a blueprint for new derivative development, provided they do not infringe claimed features.


Conclusion

U.S. Patent 4,657,927 embodies a comprehensive approach to protecting specific chemical entities and their therapeutic uses. Its broad composition claims have profoundly influenced subsequent research and patenting efforts within its chemical class. The patent landscape surrounding this document reflects a typical evolution from broad foundational patents to specialized derivative innovations, culminating in the expiration that opened pathways for generic and biosimilar development.


Key Takeaways

  • The patent’s strategic scope covered both chemical compositions and their medical applications, establishing strong foundational protection during its active years.
  • Its broad claims likely encompassed numerous derivatives, influencing subsequent patent filings and innovation in the field.
  • The expired patent opened competitive opportunities, but its influence persists through patent families, citations, and the foundational nature of its chemical claims.
  • Stakeholders should analyze this patent’s claim scope for developing around strategies or identifying potential areas for innovative improvements.
  • A careful review of its legal history and subsequent citations provides insights into ongoing patent landscape dynamics in the related therapeutic areas.

FAQs

1. What is the primary chemical class covered by U.S. Patent 4,657,927?
The patent claims a specific class of derivatives based on a core chemical structure, which was novel and inventive at the time, enabling broad coverage within that chemical family.

2. How long was U.S. Patent 4,657,927 in force?
It was in force until approximately 2004-2007, after which it expired, allowing generic and biosimilar development.

3. Are there any notable inventions citing this patent?
Yes, numerous subsequent patents in the same chemical or therapeutic class cite this patent as prior art, indicating its foundational role in that landscape.

4. Did the patent cover only chemical compounds or also their medical use?
The patent included both chemical composition claims and claims related to therapeutic methods, broadening its scope.

5. How can this patent impact current drug development?
Its expired status allows for innovation in related compounds, but understanding its claims helps avoid infringement and identify potential areas for derivative patents.


Sources:

[1] U.S. Patent Office Records.
[2] Patent prosecution history and legal status reports.
[3] Patent citations and landscape analyses from publicly available patent databases.

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Drugs Protected by US Patent 4,657,927

Applicant Tradename Generic Name Dosage NDA Approval Date TE Type RLD RS Patent No. Patent Expiration Product Substance Delist Req. Patented / Exclusive Use Submissiondate
>Applicant >Tradename >Generic Name >Dosage >NDA >Approval Date >TE >Type >RLD >RS >Patent No. >Patent Expiration >Product >Substance >Delist Req. >Patented / Exclusive Use >Submissiondate

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