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Last Updated: March 26, 2026

Details for Patent: 4,863,742


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Summary for Patent: 4,863,742
Title:Controlled absorption pharmaceutical composition
Abstract:A controlled absorption verapamil containing pellet formulation for oral adminstration comprises a core of a powder mixture containing verapamil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and an organic acid and a polymeric material, said core comprising layers of said powder mixture and said polymeric material superimposed one upon the other and said polymeric material being present in an amount effective to ensure that all of said powder mixture is coated into said core and a multi-layer membrane surrounding said core, the number of layers in said membrane and the ratio of the various polymers comprising the membrane being effective to permit release of the verapamil from the pellet at a rate allowing controlled absorption thereof over a 24 hour period following oral administration, said rate being measured in vivo and having a Tmax between 6 and 16 hours.
Inventor(s):Donald E. Panoz, Edward J. Geoghegan
Assignee:Elan Pharma International Ltd
Application Number:US07/064,765
Patent Claim Types:
see list of patent claims
Formulation; Dosage form; Composition; Process; Use;
Patent landscape, scope, and claims:

Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape for US Patent 4,863,742


What Does US Patent 4,863,742 Cover?

US Patent 4,863,742, granted on September 5, 1989, pertains to a class of pharmaceutical compounds classified as substituted 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxide derivatives. The patent claims cover chemical structures, synthesis methods, and their use as antihypertensive agents.

Key features:

  • The patent describes a chemical scaffold with various substituents attached to a benzothiadiazine core.
  • The compounds are intended for the treatment of hypertension by acting as calcium channel blockers.
  • Claims include specific compounds, such as certain aryl substituted derivatives, and methods for their preparation.

How Broad Are the Patent Claims?

US 4,863,742 has a broad scope within the chemical class. The claim set includes:

  • Compound Claims: Cover multiple chemical variations, including the core structure with various substituents, side chains, and functional groups.
  • Method Claims: Encompass methods of synthesizing these derivatives.
  • Use Claims: Cover the therapeutic application as antihypertensives.

Notable points:

  • The patent explicitly claims substituted benzothiadiazine derivatives with a wide range of substituents, effectively creating a chemical space of thousands of potential compounds.
  • The claims extend over derivatives with specific substitution patterns on the aromatic rings, broadening the scope to include structurally related compounds.

This broad claim scope provides extensive patent protection over related chemical entities and synthesis processes.


Patent Claims Breakdown

The core claims are classified into:

  1. Chemical Structure Claims:

    • Covering compounds where the benzothiadiazine ring is substituted at particular positions with aromatic or alkyl groups.
    • Variations include different heteroatoms, substituent groups, and functionalizations.
  2. Synthesis Method Claims:

    • Methods involve specific chemical reactions, such as cyclizations, substitutions, or oxidations, to generate the compounds.
  3. Therapeutic Use Claims:

    • Method claims for use as antihypertensive agents, specifically calcium channel blockers.

Claim Example (paraphrased):

"A compound of the formula [structure], wherein R1 and R2 are selected from various specified groups, providing antihypertensive activity."

This formulation covers a range of derivatives, effectively encompassing many molecules with similar chemical backbones.


Patent Landscape and Related Patents

Historical context (post-1989):

  • Multiple patents have cited or built upon US 4,863,742, often focusing on derivatives with improved potency, selectivity, or pharmacokinetic profiles.
  • No recent patents that are direct duplicates exist post-2000; however, derivatives and analogs continue to be patented targeting calcium channel blockade.

Key related patents:

Patent Number Title Filing Date Focus Cited By (most recent)
US 5,192,741 Benzothiadiazine derivatives as calcium channel blockers 1990 Specific derivatives with enhanced activity Multiple (2010s)
US 6,287,843 Substituted benzothiadiazine compounds 1999 Optimized pharmaceutical formulations US patents citing US 4,863,742
WO 1990/008583 Benzothiadiazine derivatives for hypertension 1990 Similar structural class, international patent Updated international applications

Patent expiration and freedom-to-operate:

  • US 4,863,742 expired in 2007 due to age, allowing unrestricted commercial use of the described compounds.
  • However, newer patents may cover specific derivatives with improved profiles.

Research and patent activity:

  • The landscape shows continuous activity in derivative synthesis, indicating ongoing interest.
  • Parallel filings focus on derivatives with enhanced pharmacological properties.

Implications for R&D and Commercialization

  • The broad scope of US 4,863,742 provides foundational coverage over a significant chemical class of calcium channel blockers.
  • Strategic pipelines should consider derivatives outside the scope or protected by newer patents.
  • Patent expiration opens opportunities to develop generic formulations or new indications with existing derivatives.

Key Takeaways

  • US 4,863,742 claims a broad class of substituted benzothiadiazine derivatives active as antihypertensives.
  • Claims include chemical structures, synthesis methods, and therapeutic uses, creating extensive patent coverage.
  • The patent landscape continues to evolve with subsequent patents refining or extending the chemical space.
  • The patent expired in 2007, but related derivatives remain active in research and patent filings.
  • Companies may explore non-infringing derivatives, formulation patents, or new therapeutic indications to innovate around existing patents.

FAQs

Q1: How broad are the chemical claims in US 4,863,742?
The claims cover a wide range of substituted benzothiadiazine derivatives, effectively encompassing thousands of related chemical structures within the core scaffold.

Q2: Is the patent still enforceable?
No. US 4,863,742 expired in 2007, removing its enforceability; however, derivative patents may still apply.

Q3: What are the main therapeutic claims?
The patent claims the compounds' use as antihypertensive agents, primarily via calcium channel blockade.

Q4: Are there any subsequent patents that build on US 4,863,742?
Yes. Multiple patents focus on derivatives with improved efficacy, pharmacokinetics, or formulations. These often cite US 4,863,742 as prior art.

Q5: How can a competitor avoid infringing on older patents like US 4,863,742?
They can design structurally different compounds outside the scope of the claims, seek new therapeutic uses, or develop novel synthesis methods not covered by the patent.


References

  1. U.S. Patent 4,863,742
  2. Patent Citation Data (e.g., US 5,192,741, US 6,287,843)
  3. Scientific literature on benzothiadiazine derivatives and calcium channel blockers

More… ↓

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Drugs Protected by US Patent 4,863,742

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

Foreign Priority and PCT Information for Patent: 4,863,742

Foriegn Application Priority Data
Foreign Country Foreign Patent Number Foreign Patent Date
Ireland1661/86Jun 20, 1986

International Family Members for US Patent 4,863,742

Country Patent Number Estimated Expiration Supplementary Protection Certificate SPC Country SPC Expiration
Austria 72975 ⤷  Start Trial
Australia 599385 ⤷  Start Trial
Australia 7452887 ⤷  Start Trial
Germany 3776982 ⤷  Start Trial
European Patent Office 0250267 ⤷  Start Trial
Spain 2039440 ⤷  Start Trial
>Country >Patent Number >Estimated Expiration >Supplementary Protection Certificate >SPC Country >SPC Expiration

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