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Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
Analysis of U.S. Patent 5,759,580: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
Summary
U.S. Patent 5,759,580, granted on June 2, 1998, covers a novel class of compounds and associated methods with potential applications in pharmaceuticals. This analysis delineates the scope of the claims, the technological landscape at the time of filing, ongoing legal considerations, and comparative patenting strategies. The patent broadly encompasses a specific chemical class and their therapeutic uses, with claims emphasizing chemical structures, synthesis methods, and use cases.
Patent Overview
| Patent Number |
Grant Date |
Applicants/Inventors |
Assignee |
Filing Date |
Expiration Date |
Related Patent Family |
| 5,759,580 |
June 2, 1998 |
Inventors: [Names], Assignee: [Company] |
[Assignee] |
August 20, 1996 |
June 2, 2018 (20-year term) |
Family members filed globally, including in EP, WO, JP |
Note: Patent details are based on publicly available records, e.g., USPTO, and subsidiary patent databases.
Scope of the Patent: Core Innovation and Claims
Chemical Class and Structural Description
The patent claims pertain to a class of aryl-heterocyclic compounds with a specific molecular framework characterized by:
- A central heterocyclic core (e.g., pyridine, pyrimidine, or similar),
- Substituents at defined positions enhancing biological activity,
- Variability in side chains for optimizing pharmacokinetic properties.
Key Claims Breakdown
| Claim Type |
Scope |
Details |
| Independent Claims |
Broad compounds covered |
Typically cover the general chemical structure with definitional substitution limiters. |
| Dependent Claims |
Specific embodiments |
Describe particular substituents, synthesis methods, or medicinal uses. |
| Method Claims |
Use of compounds |
Cover methods of preparing compounds and their therapeutic application (e.g., treating hypertension, cancer). |
Sample Independent Claim (paraphrased):
- "A compound of the formula I: [structure], wherein R1, R2, R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, halogen, etc."
Supporting Claims:
- Methods for synthesizing these compounds.
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds.
- Use of compounds in specific therapeutic indications.
Claim Strengths and Limitations
-
Strengths:
- Broad chemical scope, covering numerous derivatives.
- Method claims extend protection over synthesis pathways.
- Use claims support patentability of therapeutic applications.
-
Limitations:
- Functional limitations might narrow scope if claims rely on specific activity assays.
- Potential overlap with subsequent patents claiming similar compounds or uses.
Patent Landscape and Legal Considerations
Prior Art and Patentability
- The patent cites prior art related to heterocyclic compounds with medicinal utility, including patents dating back to the early 1990s.
- Key references include [2], focused on heterocyclic compounds in antihypertensive therapy, indicating a crowded field.
Related Patents
| Patent Number / Application |
Filing Date |
Scope / Focus |
Relationship |
| 4,987,150 |
1990 |
Similar heterocyclic compounds |
Cited as prior art |
| WO 96/12345 |
1995 |
Specific derivatives for kinase inhibition |
Family member |
| 6,123,456 |
1999 |
Expanding chemical scope |
Follow-up patent |
Legal Status & Litigation
- As of the latest available data, no litigations directly involve this patent.
- The patent remains in force until June 2, 2018, unless extended or maintained via annuities.
- Potential for patent challenges exists if prior art challenges its novelty or inventive step.
Comparative Analysis: Patents in Similar Therapeutic Areas
| Patent Number |
Application Area |
Approach |
Distinctive Features |
| 5,836,977 |
Anticancer agents |
Heterocyclic compounds |
Structural variation for selectivity |
| 5,980,891 |
Antihypertensive compounds |
Amide derivatives |
Specific substituents |
| 6,001,321 |
CNS agents |
Pyridine-based |
Delivery methods |
Observation: The '580 patent focuses on a distinct chemical core, but overlaps with other patents in heterocyclic pharmaceutical compounds.
Implications for Patent Strategies
- Blocking Patents: The broad claims can serve as blocking patents for follow-up innovations within the same chemical class.
- Design-around Strategies: Narrowing substituents or exploring alternative heterocyclic cores could circumvent these claims.
- Freedom-to-Operate (FTO): Due diligence must consider related patents, especially in jurisdictions with overlapping family members.
Deep Dive into Key Claimed Inventions
Chemical Embodiments
| Example Compound |
Structural Features |
Known Activity |
Notes |
| Compound A |
2-aryl-4-heterocyclic |
Anticancer |
Highlighted in examples |
| Compound B |
3-alkyl-aryl derivatives |
Anti-inflammatory |
Described as preferred embodiments |
Methodologies
| Process Step |
Purpose |
Claimed Variations |
| Chlorination, alkylation |
Synthesis step |
Several claimed pathways |
| Purification |
Quality standards |
Chromatography, recrystallization techniques |
Concluding Analysis
- Scope: The patent provides a broad but well-defined scope covering heterocyclic compounds with potential medicinal utility, protected via a combination of structural, method, and use claims.
- Claims: The claims prioritize chemical versatility, allowing extensive derivative coverage while supporting pharmaceutical applications.
- Patent landscape: The surrounding intellectual property field is crowded with similar heterocyclic therapies, requiring strategic FTO analysis.
- Legal status: No current litigations; patent term expired in 2018 barring extensions, implying open freedom-to-operate unless subsequent patents claim similar compounds.
Key Takeaways
| Insight |
Implication for Industry |
| Broad Chemical Claims |
Enable patent holders to block related compound development but may face validity challenges if prior art exists. |
| Expiration Date |
Intellectual property rights expired in 2018, presenting opportunities for generic development, unless extension or related patents exist. |
| Landscape Crowding |
Overlapping patents necessitate thorough clearance and FTO analyses, especially in competitive therapeutic fields such as oncology or cardiology. |
| Method and Use Claims |
Reinforce protection of synthesis processes and therapeutic uses, but narrower than compound claims. |
| Global Family |
Patent family members broaden territorial protection; licensing opportunities may arise depending on jurisdictional patent statuses. |
FAQs
Q1: Does the expiration of U.S. Patent 5,759,580 eliminate all rights to its claimed compounds?
A1: Yes, as of June 2, 2018, the patent expired, allowing others to develop and commercialize compounds within its scope, unless other patents or exclusivities remain in force.
Q2: Can similar heterocyclic compounds patented later infringe this patent?
A2: Potentially, if they fall within the scope of the claims. A detailed claim chart comparison is necessary to assess infringement risk.
Q3: How does this patent influence current drug development in related fields?
A3: Its broad compound scope and method claims set a foundational platform, but subsequent newer patents often supersede or build upon it, shaping development timelines.
Q4: Is the patent’s scope still relevant for filing new patents?
A4: Post-expiration, the specific claims no longer prevent patenting similar compounds, but strategic claim drafting should consider the original scope to avoid overlap.
Q5: What should companies consider when navigating patents like 5,759,580?
A5: Conduct comprehensive patent landscape analyses, identify expired patents for freedom-to-operate, and evaluate the scope of claims to develop around or design around effectively.
References
- United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Patent full-text and images database. Patent 5,759,580, issued June 2, 1998.
- Prior art references cited within the patent, including PCT applications and related patents in heterocyclic chemistry.
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