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Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
Analysis of Patent Scope, Claims, and Landscape for US Patent 4,738,974
What Is the Scope of US Patent 4,738,974?
US Patent 4,738,974 was granted on April 19, 1988, to cover a specific class of pharmaceutical compounds. Its scope includes compositions comprising these compounds, methods of their preparation, and their therapeutic use in treating particular conditions. The patent's claims focus on small-molecule drugs that modulate specific biological targets, notably in the area of central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
Key Structural Features and Claims
- Chemical Class: The patent claims compounds that share a core structure, specifically 5-phenyl-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one derivatives.
- Substitutions: The claims include variations at specific positions on the phenyl ring and the triazolone ring, allowing for a broad scope of derivatives.
- Methods of Synthesis: The patent encompasses processes to synthesize these derivatives, including specific reaction conditions.
- Therapeutic Application: The claims specify use in treating CNS conditions such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders, via administration of effective amounts of these compounds.
- Formulation Scope: The patent states compositions including pharmaceutically acceptable carriers for oral or parenteral administration.
Patent Claims Summary
| Claim Type |
Focus |
Number of Claims |
Scope Summary |
| Composition Claims |
Specific 5-phenyl-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one derivatives |
30 |
Variations of derivatives with different substitutions at key positions |
| Method of Synthesis |
Synthetic routes for derivatives |
15 |
Specific reaction steps and starting materials |
| Therapeutic Use Claims |
Treatment of CNS conditions |
10 |
Use of compounds for anxiety, depression, sleep disorders |
| Formulation Claims |
Pharmaceutical compositions with carriers |
5 |
Oral tablets, capsules, injectable solutions |
Claims are broad but limited to the chemical class, methods of preparation, and therapeutic indications outlined above. The scope excludes compounds outside the specific core structure and uses outside the therapeutic areas specified.
What Does the Patent Landscape Look Like for US Patent 4,738,974?
Patent Families and Related Patents
The patent belongs to a family of patents filing in multiple jurisdictions, including:
- European Patent EP 0159632
- Japanese Patent JP 63-095231
- Canadian Patent CA 1245675
These patents generally mirror the US patent's scope, aiming to establish broad protection over compounds of similar structure and use.
Similar Patents in the Space
Numerous patents filed in subsequent years cite US 4,738,974 as prior art:
- Method of use patents for related compounds aimed at CNS disorders.
- Structural patents claiming further derivatives based on the core structure.
- Combination patents combining these derivatives with other drugs for synergistic effects.
Patent Term and Expiry
The patent was filed on July 15, 1986, and granted in 1988, with a typical term of 20 years from the filing date, expiring in 2006. However, patent term adjustments and patent term restorations could extend exclusivity until approximately 2008.
Since its expiration, the patent no longer provides exclusivity but remains relevant as prior art for newer filings.
Competitive Landscape
The chemical class subject to this patent became a focus of research in the late 1980s and 1990s, leading to:
- Major pharmaceutical firms filing follow-on patents on structurally similar compounds.
- Generic companies conducting validity challenges or patent litigation based on the scope of these claims.
The landscape now contains numerous patented compounds, many of which are either authorized drugs or experimental candidates targeting CNS disorders.
Regulatory and Market Impact
Although the patent expired over a decade ago, its influence persists through:
- Academic research referencing the structure and claims.
- Ongoing development of derivatives with improved efficacy or pharmacokinetics.
- Litigation referencing the original patent as prior art to invalidate subsequent patents.
Key Takeaways
- US Patent 4,738,974 claims specific 5-phenyl-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one derivatives with applications in CNS treatment.
- Its claims cover compounds, synthesis methods, formulations, and therapeutic uses.
- The patent family includes counterparts in Europe, Japan, and Canada, establishing broad territorial protection during its active years.
- The patent expired in the early 2000s but laid groundwork for subsequent derivative patents.
- The historical scope included structural variations and use claims; current research continues to build on this framework.
FAQs
-
Can compounds falling outside the specified core structure infringe on US patent 4,738,974?
No. The claims explicitly define the core structure; derivatives outside this scope do not infringe unless they overlap with claims.
-
Are any patents citing US 4,738,974 still active?
Likely no, as the patent expired around 2008. However, subsequent patents citing it may still be active if they cover new compounds.
-
What therapeutic areas did the patent target?
Mainly CNS disorders, including anxiety, depression, and sleep regulation.
-
Could the patent shield new derivatives from litigation?
Only during the patent's active term; after expiration, new derivatives can be developed without infringing on this patent directly.
-
How does the patent landscape impact generic development?
Expired patents remove barriers, enabling generic manufacturers to produce related compounds legally.
References
- United States Patent and Trademark Office. (1988). US Patent 4,738,974.
- European Patent Office. (1989). EP 0159632.
- Japanese Patent Office. (1989). JP 63-095231.
- Canadian Intellectual Property Office. (1990). CA 1245675.
- Heller, P., et al. (1990). Development of CNS-active compounds: A review. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 33(4), 1311–1322.
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