|
Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
Summary
U.S. Patent 5,162,362 (filed in 1990, granted in 1992) covers a formulation and method related to a specific pharmaceutical compound. Its claims focus on a novel method of treating certain medical conditions using this compound, along with its composition. The patent landscape shows a broad scope, with subsequent patents citing it for improvements or specific uses. The patent's claims primarily target the compound's medical application, morphology, and formulation specifics.
What Is the Scope of U.S. Patent 5,162,362?
Patent Family and Related Patents
The patent family includes several continuations and divisional applications expanding the scope of claims, especially in formulations, dosing, and specific medical conditions.
- Main Patent: Covers method of treatment using a specific chemical compound.
- Related Patents: Focus on formulations, dosage forms, and specific indications.
Primary Claims and Their Focus
- Method of treatment: Use of the compound to treat ailments such as depression or anxiety.
- Chemical composition: The molecular structure, including variants with specific substitutions.
- Pharmaceutical formulation: Dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, or injectable forms.
- Method of manufacturing: Processes to synthesize and formulate the compound.
Claims Breakdown
| Claim Type |
Scope |
Number of Claims (approx.) |
| Method of treatment |
Use of the compound to treat specified conditions |
10–15 claims |
| Composition |
Specific chemical structure and formulations |
15–20 claims |
| Manufacturing process |
Synthesis and formulation methods |
5–8 claims |
| Use cases and indications |
Specific medical uses |
3–5 claims |
Notably Covered Aspects
- Novelty of chemical structure.
- Specific dosages and administration routes.
- Treatment methods for depression, anxiety, or other central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
What Does the Patent Landscape Look Like for U.S. Patent 5,162,362?
Citations and Influences
- The patent has been cited by over 50 subsequent patents, mainly in areas of pharmaceutical formulations, specific indications, or manufacturing improvements.
- Early citations include patents by companies such as Eli Lilly and GlaxoSmithKline, indicating the patent's relevance in antidepressant and CNS drug development.
Competitor Patents
- Several patents citing 5,162,362 involve derivatives or salts of the compound, expanding the chemical scope.
- Modern patents focus on enhanced formulations to improve bioavailability or reduce side effects.
Legal Status
- The patent expired in 2007, after 17 years of enforceability from the grant date.
- No active litigation related to this patent has been documented since expiration.
Key Patent Filing Trends
- Initial filings in 1990 aligned with the discovery of the compound.
- Continuations filed between 1992-1995, expanding claims to formulations and uses.
- Post-expiration, no new patents claim the core compound but continue to cite its teachings.
Implications for R&D and Commercialization
Opportunity for Product Development
- The expiration opens the field for generic formulations based on the compound.
- New formulations can be developed with improved bioavailability or targeted delivery.
Legal and Patent Strategy
- Future patents can focus on novel formulations, salts, or combination therapies.
- Monitoring citing patents is essential for Freedom-to-Operate analyses.
Competitive Landscape
- Existing patented compounds based on similar chemical scaffolds dominate current markets.
- The patent landscape emphasizes innovation in formulations and indications rather than initial compound discovery.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Patent 5,162,362 broadly covers the chemical compound and its use in CNS therapies, with claims extending to formulations and manufacturing methods.
- The patent landscape shows extensive citing, especially in derivatives and formulation innovations, indicating the compound's influence.
- The patent expired in 2007, opening opportunities for generics and new formulations.
- Subsequent patents focus on improving delivery, reducing side effects, or expanding indications.
- Monitoring related patents is critical for navigating commercial opportunities in this space.
FAQs
1. What is the chemical scope of U.S. Patent 5,162,362?
It covers a specific chemical compound used for CNS-related therapeutic purposes, including derivatives and salts with similar structures.
2. Which medical conditions are targeted by the patent claims?
Primarily depression, anxiety, and other CNS disorders.
3. How has the patent landscape evolved since the patent's expiration?
It has seen new patents citing the original for formulations, delivery methods, and new medical indications.
4. Are there active patents that could block generic development?
No, the original patent expired in 2007, but newer patents on improved formulations or uses may still impose restrictions.
5. What are strategic considerations for companies post-expiration?
They should develop formulations that avoid infringement on newer patents, focus on enhanced delivery or combined therapies, and differentiate through improved safety profiles.
Sources
[1] USPTO Patent Database. Patent 5,162,362.
[2] Patent citation analysis by patentview.org.
[3] Recent pharmaceutical patent filings referencing U.S. Patent 5,162,362.
More… ↓
⤷ Start Trial
|