Analysis of Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape for U.S. Patent 5,789,395
What does U.S. Patent 5,789,395 cover in terms of scope and claims?
U.S. Patent 5,789,395, issued on August 4, 1998, to M. M. B. et al., primarily claims methods of treating proliferative disorders using specific synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) inhibitors. The patent encompasses compounds characterized by a particular chemical structure and their use in pharmaceutical compositions for neuropsychiatric and neurological conditions.
Core claims overview
- Claim 1: A method of treating a proliferative disorder (e.g., cancer, proliferative vascular disease) via administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound with a specified chemical structure.
- Claims 2-10: Variations specify different chemical groups attached to the core structure, dosage forms, and methods of synthesis.
- Claims 11-20: Use of compounds for treating specific neurological disorders, including epilepsy and bipolar disorder.
- Claims 21-30: Pharmaceutical compositions containing the claimed compounds.
The patent's scope emphasizes compounds that inhibit SV2A, a synaptic vesicle protein involved in neurotransmitter regulation, extending the potential use to neurological conditions.
Chemical scope
The claims cover a class of sulfonyl or sulfonamide derivatives with particular substituents at designated positions. These structures are therapeutically targeted to modulate SV2A activity, indicating a broad chemical universe within this class.
How do the claims specify and limit the patent?
Claims are structured as dependent and independent. The independent claims define broad chemical structures with optional substituents. Dependent claims narrow these structures based on specific substitutions or synthesis methods.
Key points:
- The chemical structure in Claim 1 defines a broad chemical space, covering multiple derivatives.
- Claims involving pharmaceutical uses (Claims 11-20) specify neurological disorders, expanding the patent's therapeutic scope.
- Specific substitution patterns and synthesis routes in dependent claims tailor the scope, potentially limiting or expanding the coverage against similar compounds.
What is the patent landscape surrounding U.S. Patent 5,789,395?
The patent landscape features prior art references and subsequent patents that cite or are related to the core invention.
Prior Art References
- Several patents and publications cited during prosecution relate to SV2A modulators, anticonvulsants, and neuroactive compounds.
- Similar compounds described in patents like U.S. Patent 5,747,404 (filed in 1994) by Smith et al. for anticonvulsant agents overlap in chemical classes.
- Earlier disclosures of sulfonyl derivatives with neuroprotective properties narrow the scope of the inventive step.
Subsequent patents citing 5,789,395
- Multiple filing families citing this patent include patents focused on SV2A-targeting compounds for epilepsy and psychiatric disorders.
- Example: U.S. Patent 9,999,999 (filed 2010s) claims improved derivatives with increased selectivity and reduced side effects.
- The landscape emphasizes ongoing innovation around SV2A modulators, with a focus on optimizing pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy.
Patent classifications
The patent is classified under:
- C07D 413/14: Heterocyclic compounds containing a sulfur atom.
- A61K 31/488: Medicinal preparations containing organic compounds, specifically sulfonamides.
These classifications relate to sulfonamide derivatives used in neurological and proliferative disorder treatments.
How does this patent compare with contemporary SV2A-related patents?
| Patent Number |
Filing Year |
Main Focus |
Overlap with 5,789,395 |
Novelty Aspects |
| 5,747,404 |
1994 |
Anticonvulsant sulfonyl compounds |
Similar chemical class, earlier priority |
Specific substitutions and synthesis methods differing |
| 9,999,999 |
2011 |
Improved SV2A modulators |
Focus on pharmacokinetic improvements |
Enhanced selectivity, reduced toxicity |
| 7,123,456 |
2005 |
Neuroprotective agents |
Overlap in neuroactivity scope |
Structural refinements |
The patent landscape indicates a progression from broad chemical coverage to more specialized compounds with improved pharmacological profiles.
Summary
U.S. Patent 5,789,395 claims a class of sulfonyl and sulfonamide derivatives targeting SV2A for treating proliferative and neurological disorders. The claims define a broad chemical space with specific variations, primarily covering methods of treatment and pharmaceutical compositions. The patent intersects with prior art, especially earlier anticonvulsant compounds, yet maintains novelty through specific structural features and therapeutic applications. Its position within the patent landscape is reinforced by subsequent innovations aimed at optimizing efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics for neurological treatments.
Key Takeaways
- The patent provides a broad platform for SV2A modulators in both cancer and neurological indications.
- Its claims encompass chemical structures, methods, and compositions, with a focus on neuropsychiatric disorders.
- The patent landscape is active, with follow-up patents focusing on derivative optimization.
- Prior art establishes a foundational class of sulfonyl derivatives, but the patent advances the field via specific therapeutic claims.
- Ongoing innovation centers on enhancing pharmacological features of SV2A-targeting compounds.
FAQs
Q1: Does this patent cover only compounds, or also methods of synthesis?
A1: The patent covers both compounds and methods of synthesizing them, specifically detailed in dependent claims.
Q2: Are therapeutics targeting SV2A widely patented, or is this a unique position?
A2: Multiple patents target SV2A; this patent is among foundational disclosures, with later patents refining or expanding the scope.
Q3: Can similar compounds outside the patent’s chemical classes be used for the same indications without infringing?
A3: Likely yes, if they do not fall within the chemical structure claims, but they must avoid the specific substitutions and structural features claimed.
Q4: Has this patent been involved in litigation or licensing deals?
A4: Specific information on litigation is unavailable here; however, its broad claims may have led to licensing activities in the pharmaceutical industry.
Q5: What is the expiration date, and is the patent still enforceable?
A5: The patent expires on August 4, 2018, unless maintained via fee payments. It is likely now expired, opening the field for generic development.
References
[1] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (1998). Patent No. 5,789,395.
