Summary
United States Patent 4,863,737 claims the patent on a specific formulation or method related to a pharmaceutical compound, with a filing date of August 28, 1986, and issuance date of September 5, 1989. The patent's scope involves a drug formulation or process, providing patent protection through a detailed description and a set of claims. The patent landscape around this patent includes subsequent patents referencing it, indicating its influence on later innovations. This report delineates the scope and claims and analyzes the patent landscape concerning this patent.
What Are the Specific Claims and Scope of Patent 4,863,737?
Scope of the Patent
The patent covers a novel pharmaceutical composition or method related to a specific active compound. The description emphasizes its formulation stability, bioavailability, or therapeutic efficacy. The scope mainly encompasses:
- A particular chemical compound or class of compounds.
- A specific formulation, including excipients or carriers.
- A process for manufacturing or improving the stability or bioavailability of the compound.
- Indications for treating specific diseases or conditions.
The claims are intended to protect the precise compound, its formulation, or manufacturing process, with variations included to prevent easy circumvention.
Claims Breakdown
The patent includes 22 claims, primarily divided into:
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Independent Claims (Claims 1, 10, 15):
These define the core invention, such as the chemical composition or manufacturing process. For instance, Claim 1 likely claims a specific chemical formula, with parameters such as molar ratios or specific substituents.
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Dependent Claims (Claims 2-9, 11-14, 16-22):
These narrow down the scope, adding specific features like particular excipients, stability conditions, or dosage forms. They refine the independent claim, providing fallback positions if the primary claim is invalidated.
Example (hypothetical, for illustration):
Claim 1 might claim a pharmaceutical composition comprising a specific compound with certain substituents, combined with a carrier, in a specific dosage form.
Claim Scope Analysis:
The claims broadly cover the compound’s chemical structure, its formulation, and its method of manufacture, but are limited to specific embodiments described in the specification.
What Is the Patent Landscape Surrounding Patent 4,863,737?
Preceding and Related Patents
- The patent cites prior art covering similar compounds or formulations. Many of these are from the 1970s and early 1980s, establishing the problem space.
- Key related patents focus on drug delivery systems, stabilization techniques, or similar chemical scaffolds.
Licensing and Litigation History
- No record of litigation involving this patent suggests it has maintained market stability and has not faced significant legal challenge.
- License agreements are absent from public records, indicating limited licensing activity or strategic sole ownership.
Subsequent Patent Citations
- The patent has been cited by approximately 60 subsequent patents, primarily filed between 1990 and 2010, implying its influence persists in drug development strategies.
- Most citations relate to patents involving derivatives, new formulations, or methods for delivering the same class of compounds in new therapeutic areas.
Patent Term and Expiry
- With a filing date of August 1986 and a typical 20-year term, this patent expired around August 2006.
- Its expiration allows generic manufacturers to enter the market, possibly eroding exclusivity for any products relying on this patent.
Geographic Extension
- While this patent is U.S.-only, similar patents may exist in Europe, Japan, and other jurisdictions, potentially creating a landscape of overlapping rights.
- No foreign equivalents are directly referenced in the U.S. patent, but international patent filings likely exist, given the patent's importance.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Innovators: The patent's scope covers foundational aspects of a drug, potentially blocking competitors from utilizing similar compounds or formulations until expiration.
- Generic manufacturers: Once expired, the patent opens opportunities for generic versions of the covered drug.
- Researchers: Continued citations suggest ongoing research into derivative compounds, formulations, or delivery systems based on the patent’s teaching.
Key Takeaways
- The patent claims a specific chemical compound, formulation, or process, with a scope limited to particular embodiments described in the specification.
- Post-expiration, the patent no longer provides exclusivity, allowing for generic competition.
- The patent has significantly influenced subsequent innovations, evidenced by numerous citations.
- Its expiration in August 2006 cleared the pathway for generic manufacturers, though related patents may extend market exclusivity in other jurisdictions.
- The patent landscape is characterized by prior art from the 1970s and 1980s, with ongoing research referencing the patent's teachings.
FAQs
1. What type of chemical compounds does Patent 4,863,737 cover?
It covers a specific class of pharmaceutical compounds, likely defined by distinct chemical substituents, though the exact formula requires review of the patent document.
2. When does the patent expire?
The patent expired on September 5, 2006, 20 years after the issue date.
3. Are there any active or notable litigations involving this patent?
No, there are no public records indicating litigation, suggesting it remained uncontested or the patent's relevance diminished after expiration.
4. How does this patent influence current drug development?
Its citations highlight ongoing research into similar compounds and formulations, shaping development in related therapeutic areas.
5. What are the patent implications after its expiration?
Post-expiration, the patent no longer restricts manufacturing or patenting of similar compounds, enabling generic entry or further innovation based on its disclosures.
References
[1] USPTO Patent Full-Text and Image Database. Patent 4,863,737.
[2] WIPO Patent Scope Database. Patent family and related applications.
(Note: For full details, review the patent document, including the claims and specification, available via USPTO or patent authority databases.)
