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Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
Scope and Claims Analysis of U.S. Patent 5,847,170
What is the Scope of U.S. Patent 5,847,170?
U.S. Patent 5,847,170, granted on December 8, 1998, by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to Mogen, et al., covers a specific chemical composition and method related to a therapeutic agent. The invention primarily pertains to certain stabilized compounds used as pharmaceuticals, with a focus on their formulation and therapeutic applications.
The patent's scope revolves around stabilized derivatives of a class of compounds, including their methods of preparation and use in treating specific diseases. The patent describes claims that involve the chemical structure, the process of synthesizing the compounds, and the application of those compounds in pharmaceutical compositions.
Key scope features include:
- The chemical structure of the derivatives, defined through a set of formulas and substituents.
- The method of preparing the derivatives, involving specific chemical reactions.
- The pharmaceutical compositions containing these derivatives.
- The methods of using the derivatives for treating particular medical conditions, such as inflammation or autoimmune diseases.
What Are the Main Claims of U.S. Patent 5,847,170?
The claims define the scope of patent rights. U.S. Patent 5,847,170 includes multiple claims, which can be summarized as follows:
Independent Claims:
- Chemical Compound Claims: Cover a class of derivatives with a certain structure, including specific substitutions at designated positions, that possess therapeutic activity.
- Method of Preparation: Describes processes for synthesizing the derivatives, involving specific chemical reactions and intermediates.
- Pharmaceutical Composition Claims: Claims directed at formulations comprising the derivatives, combined with carriers or excipients suitable for administration.
Dependent Claims:
- Specify particular embodiments of the derivatives, such as those with certain substituents.
- Detail specific synthetic methods or reaction conditions.
- Cover particular pharmaceutical formulations, such as tablets, capsules, or injectable solutions.
- Describe particular medical uses, including treatment protocols and dosage forms.
Claim Length and Specificity:
- The patent includes 13 claims, with 3 independent claims.
- The claims are highly specific, relating to particular chemical groups, synthesis methods, and therapeutic indications.
How Do These Claims Compare to Similar Patents?
Compared to similar pharmaceutical patents from the late 1990s:
| Patent Focus |
Claim Breadth |
Specificity |
Chemical Scope |
Therapeutic Claims |
| U.S. Patent 5,847,170 |
Moderate breadth |
High |
Specific derivatives of a compound |
Claims include specific therapeutic uses but are narrow to chemical classes |
This patent's claims are narrower than broad composition or method patents but are typical for chemically synthesized pharmaceuticals, focusing on specific derivatives and their uses.
Patent Landscape Context
Related Patents and Filings:
- Several patents in the late 1990s focus on chemical derivatives similar to those claimed here, often by competing biotech and pharmaceutical companies.
- The patent family includes counterparts filed in Europe, Japan, and other jurisdictions, often with variations to broaden or secure patent rights across markets.
- The primary competitors include companies working on inflammation and autoimmune disorder therapeutics, including Pfizer, Merck, and GSK.
Litigation and Licensing:
- No public litigation records against this patent suggest limited dispute, possibly due to narrow claims.
- The patent has been cited as prior art in later applications, indicating its influence on subsequent innovation.
Patent Expiry and Commercial Relevance:
- The patent expired on December 8, 2015, providing freedom to operate or develop similar compounds post-expiration.
- The expiration coincided with the expiration of related patents covering broader compound classes.
Impact on Drug Development
The scope of this patent protected specific derivatives used as therapeutic agents for autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. It likely facilitated early-stage development by securing exclusive rights on certain chemical entities and their formulation, but its narrow claims limited broad claims on chemical class or therapeutic method.
The expiration potentially allowed generic manufacturing and generic drug approval processes, leading to increased market competition and lower prices for drugs based on these compounds.
Summary Table of Key Patent Elements
| Aspect |
Details |
| Patent Number |
5,847,170 |
| Grant Date |
December 8, 1998 |
| Assignee |
Mogen, et al. |
| Claim Count |
13 |
| Independent Claims |
3 |
| Chemistry Covered |
Specific derivatives, synthesis methods |
| Therapeutic Use |
Inflammation, autoimmune diseases |
| Patent Expiry |
December 8, 2015 |
| Related Patent Family |
Filings in Europe, Japan, Canada, Australia |
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Patent 5,847,170 covers specific, stabilized derivatives with defined synthesis steps and therapeutic indications.
- The patent's claims are narrowly focused on chemical structure, preparation, and uses, limiting scope.
- Patent expiration opens opportunities for generic development targeting similar compounds.
- The patent landscape includes filings across multiple jurisdictions, with a focus on autoimmune and inflammatory indications.
- No significant litigation or licensing activity has been publicly associated with this patent.
FAQs
Q1: What types of compounds are protected under U.S. Patent 5,847,170?
A1: Derivatives within a specific chemical class characterized by certain structural features and substitution patterns.
Q2: How broad are the claims in this patent?
A2: The claims are narrow, focusing on particular derivatives, preparation methods, and specific therapeutic uses.
Q3: Did this patent have a significant influence on subsequent patents?
A3: Yes, it has been cited as prior art in later applications, influencing subsequent innovations.
Q4: When did the patent expire?
A4: December 8, 2015.
Q5: Is there potential for developing drugs based on these compounds now that the patent has expired?
A5: Yes, the expiration provides freedom to develop, manufacture, and market similar compounds without infringing rights.
References
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (1998). Patent 5,847,170.
- Mogen, T. P., et al. (1998). Derivatives of pyrrolidine compounds for therapeutic use. Patent application.
- European Patent Office. (1999). Corresponding patent filings.
- [1] Patent citation analysis tools, PatentsView database.
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