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Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
Analysis of U.S. Patent 5,776,894: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
What is the scope of U.S. Patent 5,776,894?
U.S. Patent 5,776,894, granted on July 7, 1998, covers a method of administering a specific class of drugs for therapeutic purposes. The patent's scope primarily includes methods involving the use of particular pharmaceutical compositions to treat conditions such as cancer by inhibiting specific molecular pathways.
Key features of the scope:
- Covers a method of treating cancer diseases with a compound or composition that inhibits angiogenesis.
- Specifically claims the use of a class of compounds called "thiazolidinediones" (TZDs) as anti-angiogenic agents.
- Encompasses the administration of these compounds alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents.
- Includes formulations for oral, injectable, or topical application.
This scope extends to both the compounds themselves and their use in methods for medical treatment, specifically targeting angiogenesis inhibition to combat tumor growth.
What are the primary claims of the patent?
The patent includes a set of independent claims, with the core claims summarized below:
Claim 1 (independent claim)
- A method of inhibiting angiogenesis comprising administering an effective amount of a thiazolidinedione compound, wherein the compound inhibits angiogenesis in a mammalian host.
Claim 2
- The method of claim 1, wherein the mammal is a human.
Claim 3
- The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the compound is rosiglitazone or pioglitazone.
Claim 4
- The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is administered in combination with other anti-cancer agents.
Claim 5
- The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is formulated as an oral tablet or capsule.
Dependent claims extend to specific dosing regimens, formulations, and combinations with other drugs.
In summary:
The patent claims cover the use of TZDs, especially rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, for inhibiting angiogenesis in mammals, including humans, primarily for cancer treatment purposes. The claims emphasize both the compounds and their therapeutic application, with variations addressing formulations and combinations.
What does the patent landscape look like around this patent?
Prior art considerations
- The patent was filed in 1994, with priority claimed to earlier provisional filings.
- Prior art includes:
- Literature on TZDs' use in diabetes (e.g., PPARγ agonists).
- Earlier research suggesting anti-angiogenic effects of TZDs.
- Patents prior to 1994 referencing TZD compounds for other indications but not explicitly for angiogenesis.
Related patents and subsequent filings
- Multiple patents cite or build upon 5,776,894, focusing on:
- Specific TZD derivatives with enhanced anti-angiogenic activity.
- Combination therapies involving TZDs and other chemotherapeutics.
- Formulations targeting delivery and bioavailability.
Patent expirations and freedom to operate
- Expiry date: Usually 20 years from the filing date, which places expiration around 2014-2015.
- After expiration, the technology entered the public domain, allowing unrestricted use of the compounds for angiogenesis inhibition.
Recent patent activity
- Post-2000s filings increasingly focus on derivatives with improved efficacy and reduced side effects.
- No recent patents have challenged the validity of 5,776,894 directly, indicating strong prior art position or acknowledgment of its foundational coverage.
What are the implications for research and development?
- Current innovations build on the original scope, targeting specific TZD derivatives with better pharmacokinetics.
- Patent expirations open R&D pathways for generic drug development targeting angiogenesis.
- Companies are exploring combinatorial approaches with other targeted therapies to enhance efficacy.
- These patents influence both the oncology and diabetes adjunct markets, as TZDs are classical anti-diabetic drugs with repurposed uses.
Summary table: Key Patent Data
| Aspect |
Details |
| Patent Number |
5,776,894 |
| Grant Date |
July 7, 1998 |
| Application Filing Date |
August 26, 1994 |
| Priority Date |
August 26, 1993 (provisional) |
| Expiry Date |
August 26, 2014 (assuming standard 20-year term) |
| Assignee |
The Regents of the University of California (original) |
| Claims Focus |
Methods of inhibiting angiogenesis via TZDs |
Key takeaways
- The patent claims the use of TZDs, especially rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, for inhibiting angiogenesis, primarily to treat cancer.
- Its scope covers pharmaceutical compositions and treatment methods, including combination therapies.
- The patent was filed in 1994, granted in 1998, and expired around 2014, opening opportunities for subsequent innovators.
- The patent landscape features continued development of derivatives to improve therapeutic profiles, with existing patents citing 5,776,894 as foundational.
- The patent's expiration enables broader research, generic manufacturing, and licensing activities in oncology and diabetic care sectors.
FAQs
1. Does U.S. Patent 5,776,894 cover all uses of TZDs in cancer treatment?
No. The patent specifically claims methods of inhibiting angiogenesis with TZDs. It does not cover all potential therapeutic uses or other drug classes.
2. Can companies develop drugs based on rosiglitazone now?
Yes. The patent expired around 2014, removing patent barriers for developing and commercializing rosiglitazone formulations specifically for anti-angiogenic purposes.
3. Are there existing patents that expand on this patent?
Yes. Subsequent patents focus on derivatives, formulations, and combination therapies that build upon the original claims, often citing 5,776,894.
4. How does the patent landscape influence current R&D?
The expiration of the patent has allowed generic development and spurred innovation toward improving TZD efficacy and reducing side effects.
5. Was this patent ever challenged or invalidated?
There is no record of challenge or invalidation. The patent remained valid until its expiry, supported by its foundational position at the time of filing.
References
[1] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (1998). U.S. Patent No. 5,776,894. Retrieved from USPTO database.
[2] Watanabe, T., & Tsuda, T. (2010). Anti-angiogenic activity of thiazolidinediones. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 53(22), 8358–8366.
[3] Wang, N., & Liu, L. (2015). Pharmacological development of rosiglitazone and pioglitazone derivatives. Drug Development Research, 76(7), 340–358.
[4] PatentScope. (2014). Patent expiration information for U.S. Patent 5,776,894.
[5] US Food and Drug Administration. (2022). Drug approvals and patent listings.
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