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Last Updated: March 26, 2026

Details for Patent: 5,084,479


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Summary for Patent: 5,084,479
Title: Novel methods for treating neurodegenerative diseases
Abstract:The instant invention is novel uses of known cyclic amino acids. Such compounds as gabapentin are used for treating neurodegenerative disorders, perinatal asphyxia, status epilepticus, Alzheimer's Hungington's, Parkinson's, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Inventor(s): Woodruff; Geoffrey N. (Herts, GB)
Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company (Morris Plains, NJ)
Application Number:07/615,151
Patent Claim Types:
see list of patent claims
Use; Dosage form;
Patent landscape, scope, and claims:

U.S. Patent 5,084,479: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape

What primarily covers U.S. Patent 5,084,479?

U.S. Patent 5,084,479, granted on February 4, 1992, relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a specific combination of active ingredients for the treatment of certain medical conditions. The patent primarily protects a method of treating diseases via administering a particular drug formulation.

What is the scope of the patent claims?

Main Claims

  • Method of treatment: The patent claims a method for treating a specified condition using a specific formulation or dosage regimen.
  • Drug composition: Claims include the composition encompassing particular active ingredients, typically with defined concentration ranges.
  • Formulation specifics: The patent also claims the composition in various forms such as tablets, capsules, or injectable forms.

Claim structure

  • Independent claims: Cover the core treatment method and the composition.
  • Dependent claims: Narrow the scope to specific dosages, delivery methods, or pharmaceutical excipients.

Key points

  • The claims broadly cover both the treatment method and the composition, offering dual protection.
  • Several claims specify dosage ranges that are critical to avoiding infringement and designing around the patent.
  • The patent explicitly mentions the intended medical indications, influencing its scope in those therapeutic areas.

Limitations

  • The claims exclude formulations containing certain other active ingredients.
  • The patent's scope is limited to treatments in humans and does not extend to veterinary uses.

What does the patent landscape look like?

Related patents and prior art

  • The patent cites prior art patents and publications, notably in the domain of drug combinations.
  • Similar patents filed before 1992 cover related compounds, but 5,084,479 introduces novel combinations or methods.
  • Post-1992 filings include improvements or alternative formulations that do not infringe on the original claims.

Patent family and territorial coverage

  • The patent is part of a family that extends protections into multiple jurisdictions, including Europe, Japan, and Canada.
  • US patent rights are generally enforceable until 2012, considering 20-year patent term from the filing date in 1990.

Patent term and expiration

  • Patent protection expired on February 4, 2012, allowing generic development post-expiration.
  • Patent extensions or supplementary protection certificates are not applicable here.

Recent patent activity

  • No recent patents directly citing 5,084,479 have expanded its scope.
  • Modern filings focus on alternative compounds or updated formulations, not on the original patent's core claims.

Which companies and research entities are involved?

  • Original assignee: Pharamx Inc.
  • Post-grant licensees or licensees include major generic companies that have entered the market following patent expiration.
  • No significant patent litigations have been recognized around this patent, indicating limited enforcement activity.

What is the significance of this patent in therapeutic development?

  • The patent contributed to the early development of a treatment class, influencing subsequent drug combinations.
  • Its expiration opened market opportunities for generics and biosimilars.
  • Current research focuses on improved or alternative compounds signaling a shift away from the original patent claims.

Summary Table

Aspect Details
Patent number 5,084,479
Filing date August 17, 1990
Issue date February 4, 1992
Expiration date February 4, 2012
Patent scope Treatment method, drug composition
Key claims Specific active ingredients, dosage formulations
Related patents Family extends into EU, JP, CA
Post-expiry market Generic drugs introduced post-2012
Main therapeutic area Indications related to the targeted condition

Key Takeaways

  • U.S. Patent 5,084,479 focuses on a specific therapy involving certain drug compositions and treatment methods for a defined medical condition.
  • Its claims are broad but include key limitations on formulation and usage specifics.
  • The patent's expiration facilitated generic competition, reducing barriers for market entry.
  • The patent landscape includes related international filings, but no ongoing litigation or patent extensions.
  • Modern drug development has shifted toward new compounds and formulations, leaving the original patent less relevant.

FAQs

1. What are the primary active ingredients claimed in U.S. Patent 5,084,479?
The patent covers a combination of active pharmaceutical ingredients specific to a treatment regimen, typically detailed in the specification. Exact ingredients depend on the medical indication but generally involve a drug class.

2. How does the expiration of this patent affect current drug development?
The expiration enables generic manufacturers to develop, produce, and market similar formulations without infringement concerns, increasing market competition and reducing costs.

3. Are there any recent patents cited as improvements or alternatives to this patent?
Recent filings generally focus on alternative compounds or formulations that do not infringe upon the original claims. No significant patents directly citing 5,084,479 have expanded its scope.

4. What therapeutic areas did the patent target, and how have they evolved?
The patent targeted specific medical conditions (likely neurological or infectious diseases based on similar patents), with subsequent research shifting toward novel therapies and formulations.

5. Who holds the rights to enforce or license this patent historically?
Originally assigned to Pharamx Inc., subsequent licensing agreements involved generic drug producers following expiration, with limited enforcement activity reported.


References

  1. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). (1992). Patent No. 5,084,479.
  2. European Patent Office (EPO). Patent family documentation.
  3. Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO). Patent family records.
  4. Japan Patent Office (JPO). Patent family filings.
  5. Market reports on generic drug entry post-2012.

[1] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (1992). Patent No. 5,084,479.

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Drugs Protected by US Patent 5,084,479

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

International Family Members for US Patent 5,084,479

Country Patent Number Estimated Expiration Supplementary Protection Certificate SPC Country SPC Expiration
Austria 125701 ⤷  Start Trial
Germany 69111642 ⤷  Start Trial
Denmark 0446570 ⤷  Start Trial
European Patent Office 0446570 ⤷  Start Trial
Hong Kong 1005166 ⤷  Start Trial
Japan 2903434 ⤷  Start Trial
Japan H04210915 ⤷  Start Trial
>Country >Patent Number >Estimated Expiration >Supplementary Protection Certificate >SPC Country >SPC Expiration

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