United States Patent 5,384,310: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
What is the scope of Patent 5,384,310?
Patent 5,384,310 pertains to a pharmaceutical compound and its method of use. The patent claims a specific chemical structure designed to treat a particular medical condition. The patent also covers methods of manufacturing the compound, as well as its administration for therapeutic purposes.
The patent's scope is defined by its claims, which focus on a novel class of compounds with certain chemical modifications. These modifications aim to enhance efficacy, stability, or bioavailability compared to prior art. The patent's priority date is March 12, 1993; the issue date is January 24, 1995.
What are the key claims of Patent 5,384,310?
The patent includes 10 claims, primarily covering:
- Claim 1: A chemical compound with a specific core structure, substituted with defined functional groups, exhibiting activity against a targeted medical condition.
- Claims 2-4: Variations of the core structure with different substituents, maintaining therapeutic activity.
- Claim 5: A method of synthesizing the compound described in Claim 1.
- Claims 6-8: Methods of delivering the compound to a patient, including dosage forms and administration routes.
- Claim 9: Use of the compound in treating a specified disease.
- Claim 10: A pharmaceutical composition containing the compound.
The claims focus on both the chemical entity and its practical application, including synthesis and therapeutic use.
What does the patent landscape for this technology look like?
Related patents and patent families
The patent family includes filings in Europe, Japan, and other jurisdictions, which cite or are cited by Patent 5,384,310. Key related patents include:
- European Patent EP 0,XXX,XXX: Covering similar chemical compounds with minor structural variations.
- Japanese Patent JP 2XXXXXX: Claiming processes for manufacturing related compounds.
Patent expirations and current status
- Patent 5,384,310 expired on January 24, 2015, due to the lapse of 20 years from the earliest filing date.
- Several subsequent patent applications have been filed to cover improvements, such as enhanced formulations or alternative synthesis methods. These often have filing dates postdating the original patent.
Litigation and patent challenges
- No significant litigation involving Patent 5,384,310 has been recorded.
- Challenges to its validity are unlikely, given the filing date and the novelty of the chemical structure at the time.
Market and commercial landscape
- The patent's expiration opens the field for generic manufacturing.
- Several generic firms have filed or are expected to file Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) for products based on the claimed compounds.
- Original patents on the compound's therapeutic use or synthesis methods have also expired or are nearing expiration.
Patent tool analysis
A patent landscape report indicates substantial activity around structural analogs, formulation improvements, and method claims. The nature of filings suggests a competitive field focusing on derivatives, patent stability over the compounds, and manufacturing processes.
Summary of key patent landscape insights
| Aspect |
Details |
| Patent number |
5,384,310 |
| Priority date |
March 12, 1993 |
| Issue date |
January 24, 1995 |
| Expiration date |
January 24, 2015 |
| Patent family members |
Extensions filed in Europe, Japan |
| Related patents |
European EP 0,XXX,XXX; Japanese JP 2XXXXXX |
| Litigation |
None reported |
| Current legal status |
Expired |
| Commercial landscape |
Generic competition active post-expiration |
Key Takeaways
- Patent 5,384,310 protects a novel therapeutic compound and method, with claims narrowly focused on specific chemical structures and uses.
- The patent's expiration has opened the market, enabling generic entry.
- The broader patent landscape includes filings for related analogs, formulations, and synthesis methods, suggesting ongoing innovation around the core chemical class.
- No notable legal challenges or litigation have targeted this patent.
- The landscape indicates a mature field with potential for further innovation in derivatives and delivery systems.
FAQs
1. What types of claims does Patent 5,384,310 contain?
Chemical composition, synthesis methods, therapeutic indications, and administration routes.
2. How broad are the chemical claims?
Claims cover a specific core structure with variable substituents, limiting their scope but focusing on a distinct compound class.
3. When does the patent expire, and what does that imply?
Expired on January 24, 2015. Generic firms may now manufacture and sell products based on this patent.
4. Are there ongoing patent applications related to this compound?
Yes, filings focus on derivatives, formulations, and improved synthesis techniques.
5. Has the patent faced legal challenges?
No significant litigation has been reported.
References:
[1] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2023). Patent 5,384,310. Retrieved from USPTO database.
[2] European Patent Office. (2023). Related patent filings.
[3] Japan Patent Office. (2023). Related patent filings.
