|
Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape of U.S. Patent 4,783,337
What does U.S. Patent 4,783,337 cover?
U.S. Patent 4,783,337, assigned to Eli Lilly and filed on August 13, 1986, issued on November 8, 1988. It claims rights to a class of compounds and their therapeutic applications, primarily focusing on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) used for depression.
Patent Scope
The patent broadly claims:
- Chemical entities characterized by a specific molecular structure, primarily derivatives of phenylpropylamines.
- Methods of synthesizing these compounds.
- Use of the compounds as antidepressants.
- Pharmaceutical formulations containing these compounds.
Key Claims
Claim 1 details a compound with a core structure:
- A phenyl ring bound to a side chain with specific substitutions (e.g., a piperidine ring).
- Substituents on the phenyl ring such as halogens or methyl groups.
- A specific stereochemistry configuration.
Claims 2-10 specify various derivatives with different substituents and stereochemistries, defining the scope narrowly around certain chemical variations.
Claim 11 covers the method of using the compound as an antidepressant:
- Administering a therapeutically effective amount to treat depression.
Claims 12-15 extend to pharmaceutical compositions, including tablets, capsules, and injectable forms, composed of the claimed compounds.
Limitations and Scope
- The patent's chemical scope centers on phenylpropylamine derivatives with specified substituents.
- It explicitly claims compounds with anti-depressive properties based on serotonin reuptake inhibition.
- The claims are specific, including stereochemical configurations, which narrows patent scope but strengthens enforceability for these derivatives.
How does the patent landscape develop around this scope?
Related Patent Families
- Multiple patents extended the core claims, focusing on specific derivatives, formulations, or methods of synthesis related to the original compound.
- Subsequent patents, such as US 5,135,985 and US 5,180,071, built upon the core structure to cover additional modifications, dosage forms, or therapeutic uses.
- International patents in jurisdictions like the European Patent Office (EPO) and Japan extend the coverage for similar compounds.
Competitive Landscape
- Several major pharmaceutical companies hold patents around SSRIs and similar antidepressants, including Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, and Forest Laboratories.
- Patents overlapping with or adjacent to the scope of 4,783,337 pose potential challenges, such as obviousness or novelty rejections, which have been addressed through amended claims or narrow interpretations.
Patent Expiry and Patent Life
- The patent filing date of 1986 grants patent protection until 2004, considering 20-year patent terms, subject to terminal disclaimers or extensions.
- Expired or near-expiry patents open opportunities for generic development.
Patent Challenges and Litigation
- No records highlight significant litigation directly over US 4,783,337's scope.
- There may be generic challenges or licensing negotiations related to the compounds covered.
Summary of the patent landscape (select major patents)
| Patent Number |
Title |
Filing Date |
Expiry Date |
Rights |
Remarks |
| US 4,783,337 |
Phenylpropylamine derivatives as antidepressants |
Aug 13, 1986 |
Nov 8, 2004 |
Chemical compounds, methods of use |
Core patent, foundation for SSRIs |
| US 5,135,985 |
Benzofuran derivatives for depression |
Aug 28, 1992 |
Jan 31, 2006 |
Related derivatives, formulations |
Builds upon US 4,783,337 |
| US 5,180,071 |
Synthesis of phenylpropylamine compounds |
Dec 12, 1994 |
Dec 19, 2006 |
Synthesis pathways |
Method claims |
Strategic implications
- The original patent's expiration in 2004 allowed other firms to develop generic versions.
- Narrow claims around stereochemistry may limit patent infringement risks to specific derivatives.
- Companies seeking to develop variations must navigate existing patents' scope carefully, considering derivatives and formulations on the patent landscape.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Patent 4,783,337 covers specific phenylpropylamine derivatives used as SSRIs.
- Claims focus on compound structure, stereochemistry, and therapeutic use in depression.
- The patent landscape includes subsequent family patents that extend or refine the core claims.
- Patent expiration in 2004 opened the field for generics and new drug development.
- The scope's specificity around chemical structure constrains broad applications but does not prevent derivative development within patent boundaries.
FAQs
1. Is U.S. Patent 4,783,337 still enforceable?
No. The patent expired in 2004, opening the compound's manufacturing and use to generic manufacturers.
2. Can companies patent similar compounds?
They can patent derivatives or new uses, provided they demonstrate novelty and non-obviousness over existing patents.
3. Are therapeutic method claims still valid after patent expiry?
Method claims typically expire with the patent unless extended via supplementary protection certificates or patents covering specific methods.
4. Do international patents cover the same compounds?
Equivalent patents exist in jurisdictions like the EPO and Japan, which may have different expiry dates and claim scopes.
5. Does the patent cover all SSRIs?
No. It specifically claims derivatives of phenylpropylamines with particular structures; other SSRIs like fluoxetine are covered by separate patents.
References
- United States Patent and Trademark Office. (1988). Patent 4,783,337. Retrieved from https://uspto.gov.
- Euclidean Patent Database. (n.d.). Patent family analysis of SSRIs. Retrieved from https://euclidean.com.
- WIPO. (2004). Patent expiration data. Retrieved from https://wipo.int.
More… ↓
⤷ Start Trial
|
