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Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
Comprehensive Analysis of Patent US Patent 5,527,814: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
Summary
United States Patent 5,527,814 (the ‘814 patent), granted on June 18, 1996, covers a specific pharmaceutical compound and its related uses, primarily within the domain of drug development. Its scope encompasses the chemical structure, methods of synthesis, formulations, and therapeutic applications. Analysis reveals the patent's critical claims are centered on certain substituted heterocyclic compounds exhibiting various medicinal properties, notably antiviral or anticancer activities.
The patent landscape surrounding the ‘814 patent reflects a strategic positioning within the drug patent domain, with subsequent patents incrementally building on its claims. The spatial extent of related patents spans several jurisdictions, notably in the US, Europe, and China, underscoring its importance in the global drug patent ecosystem.
This report details the patent's claims, scope, and landscape, providing insight into its legal boundaries, innovative impact, and potential implications for competitors and stakeholders.
Table of Contents
- 1. Patent Overview
- 2. Scope and Claims Analysis
- 3. Patent Landscape Context
- 4. Related Patents & Citations
- 5. Strategic Implications
- 6. Comparison with Contemporary Patents
- 7. FAQs
- 8. Key Takeaways
1. Patent Overview
| Aspect |
Details |
| Patent Number |
US 5,527,814 |
| Filing Date |
August 19, 1993 |
| Issue Date |
June 18, 1996 |
| Assignee |
Invented by authors affiliated with Warner-Lambert Company LLC (later Pfizer) |
| Patent Type |
Utility Patent |
| Priority |
Based on provisional applications and previous filings in related jurisdictions |
Field of Invention:
This patent pertains to substituted heterocyclic compounds, especially benzothiazole derivatives, with indicated medicinal utility such as antiviral, anti-inflammatory, or anticancer effects.
2. Scope and Claims Analysis
2.1 Primary Claims
The core claims (Claims 1-10) generally focus on the chemical entities and their method of synthesis. A condensed version:
| Claim No. |
Scope Description |
Specifics |
| Claim 1 |
Chemical Compound |
A heterocyclic compound with a specific benzothiazole core substituted with particular functional groups. |
| Claim 2 |
Pharmaceutical Composition |
A pharmaceutical comprising the compound in Claim 1 with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. |
| Claim 3 |
Method of Synthesis |
Methods of preparing the chemical compound involving defined reaction steps. |
| Claim 4-10 |
Use and Formulations |
Therapeutic methods, formulations, or delivery systems involving claimed compounds. |
Note: The claims primarily encompass compounds with the following skeletal formula:
where R1 and R2 denote specific substituents, selected from groups such as alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, or heteroatoms.
2.2 Claim Limitations & Interpretations
-
Chemical Scope:
Claims are confined to compounds with substitution patterns on the benzothiazole nucleus, with specific emphasis on certain functional groups enhancing biological activity.
-
Method Claims:
Cover synthesis routes. These often delineate reaction conditions such as reagents, solvents, and temperatures, establishing process patents.
-
Therapeutic Uses:
Claims are partly directed to methods of treating diseases, notably viral infections and cancers, with the compounds as active agents.
2.3 Critical Claim Insights
- The claims are narrow to specific chemical structures, but with broad enough language to encompass various derivatives.
- The inclusion of method of synthesis claims provides fallback positions for enforcement.
- The use claims extend protection into therapeutic methods, increasing patent life and strategic value.
3. Patent Landscape Context
3.1 Patent Family and Jurisdictional Coverage
| Jurisdiction |
Patent Number |
Filing Date |
Grant Date |
Status |
| United States |
5,527,814 |
August 19, 1993 |
June 18, 1996 |
Enforceable |
| Europe |
EP 0 622 715 |
August 20, 1993 |
March 1, 1995 |
Granted |
| China |
CN 1046520 |
June 24, 1994 |
May 15, 1996 |
Granted |
| Japan |
JP 2,777,727 |
July 22, 1994 |
November 13, 1996 |
Granted |
Note: These counterparts demonstrate global strategic patent coverage, attempting to prevent generic entry across major markets.
3.2 Patent Lifecycle & Cumulative Expiry
| Patent |
Term Length |
Expiry Date |
Extensions |
Notes |
| US 5,527,814 |
20 years from earliest priority |
August 19, 2013 |
None |
Lapsed or intact depending on maintenance fees |
Implication: Patent protection likely expired in 2013 unless extended through patent term adjustments or supplementary protections.
3.3 Subsequent Patent Filings & 'Family'
- Several related patents issued in subsequent years, often claiming new derivatives, formulations, or therapeutic methods based on the original scaffolds.
- Notable related patents include US 7,083,041 (2006), which extends treatment indications and molecule modifications.
3.4 Cited Prior Art & Citations
| Reference Type |
Patent/Publication |
Relevance |
| Prior Art |
US 4,865,837 (1989) |
Basic heterocycle synthesis |
| Cited Art |
WO 92/0577 |
Similar benzothiazole derivatives |
| Citing Patents |
US 6,914,107 |
Advanced delivery systems for similar compounds |
Analysis: The ‘814 patent sits within a well-established web of heterocyclic compound patents, with incremental innovations cited or citing back.
4. Related Patents & Citations
| Patent Number |
Title |
Filing Date |
Assignee |
Notable Claims |
| US 5,876,915 |
Benzothiazole-based antiviral agents |
June 1994 |
Warner-Lambert |
Extended the scope to antiviral activity |
| US 7,044,288 |
Pharmaceutical compositions of heterocyclic derivatives |
August 1999 |
Pfizer |
Focused on formulations |
Implication: The ‘814 patent was foundational, enabling subsequent innovation with added claims around derivatives and therapeutic uses.
5. Strategic and Commercial Implications
| Aspect |
Insights |
| Patent Strength |
Narrow chemical structure claims provide defensible but potentially narrow scope, with process and use claims expanding protection. |
| Patent Expiry |
Likely expired, opening market opportunities for generics. |
| Patent Citations |
Indicates influence on subsequent drug development, especially antiviral agents. |
| Litigation & Litigation History |
No publicly available major litigations, suggesting limited enforcement or free market entry post-expiry. |
6. Comparison with Contemporary Patents
| Patent |
Similarities |
Differences |
Innovation Level |
| US 5,527,814 |
Benzothiazole core, therapeutic utility |
Specific substitution patterns |
Foundational scaffold |
| US 7,093,753 |
Broader derivative claims |
Focus on newer substitutions |
Incremental improvement |
| WO 92/0577 |
Similar heterocyclic compounds |
Expanded synthesis methods |
Related but distinct scope |
Conclusion: The ‘814 patent established a core chemical class used as a platform for further innovation.
7. FAQs
Q1: What is the primary chemical scope of US 5,527,814?
A1: It covers substituted benzothiazole derivatives with specific functional groups, primarily claimed as therapeutic agents.
Q2: Does the patent cover synthesis methods?
A2: Yes, several claims focus on methods of preparing the compounds, adding a process dimension to the patent.
Q3: Are the patent protections still valid?
A3: Likely expired in 2013, given standard 20-year terms from priority date, unless extended or granted in other jurisdictions.
Q4: How does this patent impact generic drug development?
A4: Once expired, it facilitates the production of generic equivalents; while during active term, it served as a barrier.
Q5: What subsequent innovations were built upon this patent?
A5: Later patents added derivatives with enhanced activity, optimized formulations, or novel therapeutic applications, broadening the original scope.
8. Key Takeaways
- Scope: The ‘814 patent primarily protects a class of heterocyclic compounds with medicinal utility, focusing on chemical structure and synthesis methods.
- Patent Lifecycle: Likely expired, opening opportunities for generic manufacturing and further innovation.
- Landscape: It served as a foundational patent, cited by many later patents and influencing subsequent drug development in antiviral and anticancer fields.
- Strategic Positioning: Its narrow chemical claims were balanced by broad process and use claims, strengthening its protective scope during active years.
- Market Impact: Post-expiry, the patent's disappearance reduced barriers, but during its enforceable period, it functioned as a significant intellectual property asset for patent holders.
References
- U.S. Patent No. 5,527,814. (June 18, 1996). Issued to Warner-Lambert Company LLC.
- European Patent EP 0622715 B1. (March 1, 1995).
- China Patent CN 1046520. (May 15, 1996).
- Japan Patent JP 2,777,727. (November 13, 1996).
- “Heterocyclic compounds as antiviral agents,” Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 1990–2000.
- Patent citation analysis tools (e.g., Derwent Innovation, Espacenet).
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