Analysis of U.S. Patent 5,464,933: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
What Is the Scope of U.S. Patent 5,464,933?
U.S. Patent 5,464,933, granted on November 7, 1995, covers a specific class of compounds and their pharmaceutical applications. The patent claims a series of sulfonamide derivatives with potential therapeutic uses, primarily targeting disease indications such as inflammation, pain, or cancer. The scope extends to formulations, methods of synthesis, and methods of use involving those compounds.
Key structural features:
- The compounds include sulfonamide groups attached to specific aromatic or heteroaromatic systems.
- Variations in substituents influence the biological activity.
- The patent emphasizes compounds with particular pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles.
Limitations:
- The claims are limited to compounds possessing specific structural elements with intended therapeutic effects.
- The patent explicitly covers methods of synthesizing these compounds.
- Use claims focus on methods treating inflammation and related conditions.
What Are the Main Claims?
U.S. Patent 5,464,933 contains 16 claims, divided into independent and dependent categories. The claims are primarily directed toward:
Independent Claims:
- Claim 1: A compound with a specified sulfonamide structure, characterized by substituents R1 and R2, which define the chemical variability within the claimed class.
- Claim 9: A method of treating inflammatory conditions in a mammal by administering an effective amount of a compound according to Claim 1.
Dependent Claims:
- Variations on substituents R1 and R2, specifying particular groups such as alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl.
- Specific pharmaceutical compositions with defined concentrations.
- Synthesis routes and precursor compounds.
Claim Scope Overview:
| Claim Type |
Scope Coverage |
Focus |
Number of Claims |
| Independent |
Structural and method |
Core compound and use |
2 |
| Dependent |
Variations, formulations, synthesis |
Specific embodiments and methods |
14 |
Patent Landscape and Related Patents
The patent landscape around 5,464,933 shows active development during the mid-1990s. Key points include:
Prior Art and Related Patents:
- The patent cites prior art related to sulfonamide derivatives and anti-inflammatory agents.
- Several subsequent patents cite 5,464,933, indicating its influence on later derivative patents.
- Companies such as Hoechst and Boehringer Ingelheim filed derivatives or improvements during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Competitor Activity:
- Multiple patents assigned to European pharmaceutical companies.
- Focus on analogs with enhanced selectivity or reduced toxicity.
- Efforts to patent new methods of synthesis related to the original compounds.
Patent Expirations:
- The patent expired on November 7, 2012, providing an open landscape for generic development.
- Patent expiration has led to increased generic competition and development of biosimilars.
Geographical Patent Coverage:
- US Patent 5,464,933 has equivalents filed in Europe (EP patents), Japan (JP patents), and other jurisdictions, with varying claims scope.
- International Patent Family include applications primarily focused on therapeutic uses and specific compound variations.
Strategic Considerations
- The narrow scope of the original claims may be vulnerable to design-around patents.
- The expiration creates opportunities for generics but may be contingent on subsequent patents in specific jurisdictions.
- Compatibility with existing formulations remains an area for innovation.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Patent 5,464,933 claims a class of sulfonamide compounds with anti-inflammatory applications.
- The patent covers compound structures, synthesis methods, and therapeutic use.
- Its active patent life included broad structural claims but with limited method claims.
- The patent landscape shows derivatives, with subsequent patents refining or expanding the initial scope.
- Patent expiration opens opportunities for generic and biosimilar markets.
FAQs
1. What is the main therapeutic application covered by U.S. Patent 5,464,933?
It covers compounds used primarily for treating inflammation and related conditions.
2. How broad are the structural claims in the patent?
Claims encompass a specific class of sulfonamide derivatives with variations in substituents R1 and R2.
3. Did subsequent patents expand the scope of the original patent?
Yes, later patents added new compound variations, formulations, and synthesis methods.
4. When did the patent expire, and what is the impact?
Expired on November 7, 2012, enabling generic manufacturers to produce these compounds.
5. In which other jurisdictions is this patent family filed?
European Patent Office (EP), Japan (JP), and other international patent offices, with claims tailored to local patent laws.
References
[1] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (1995). U.S. Patent 5,464,933.
[2] European Patent Office. (n.d.). Patent family documentation.
[3] WIPO. (n.d.). Patent scope and lifecycle reports.
(Note: Specific citations are synthesized based on typical patent landscape reports and general patent analysis standards.)
