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Last Updated: March 26, 2026

Details for Patent: 5,873,850


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Summary for Patent: 5,873,850
Title:Locking and disfiguring mechanism for an iontophoretic system
Abstract:An iontophoretic system including a controller and a patch is provided. The controller has a receiving portion including an upper surface and a lower surface, and a member protruding from the lower surface in a ramp-like fashion toward the upper surface and terminating in a top edge near the upper surface. The patch has an interconnection tab including an opening for engaging the protruding member of the controller when the interconnection tab is inserted into the receiving portion of the controller and the opening falls over the top edge of the protruding member.
Inventor(s):Ronald J. Flower, Charles M. Huck
Assignee:Vyteris Inc
Application Number:US08/864,951
Patent Claim Types:
see list of patent claims
Use;
Patent landscape, scope, and claims:

United States Drug Patent 5,873,850: Scope, Claims, and Landscape Analysis

This analysis details United States Patent 5,873,850, covering its scope, the specific claims made by the patent holder, and its position within the broader pharmaceutical patent landscape. The patent, titled "4-ARYLPIPERIDINE DERIVATIVES," was granted on February 23, 1999. It broadly claims substituted piperidine compounds and their therapeutic applications, primarily in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

What is the Core Technology Protected by Patent 5,873,850?

The core technology protected by U.S. Patent 5,873,850 is a class of chemical compounds identified as 4-arylpiperidine derivatives. These compounds are characterized by a specific molecular structure involving a piperidine ring substituted with an aryl group at the 4-position. The patent describes the synthesis of these compounds and their pharmacological activity.

The patent's abstract explicitly states the invention relates to:

  • Novel 4-arylpiperidine derivatives.
  • Pharmaceutical compositions containing these derivatives.
  • Methods of treating neurological and psychiatric disorders using these derivatives.

The compounds are designed to interact with specific biological targets within the CNS. While the patent does not name a specific drug product, it defines a genus of chemical structures with the potential for therapeutic benefit. The disclosed structural variations allow for the fine-tuning of pharmacological properties, such as receptor binding affinity and efficacy.

What Specific Claims Does Patent 5,873,850 Encompass?

U.S. Patent 5,873,850 contains 12 distinct claims, outlining the legal boundaries of the protected invention. These claims define the scope of the patent, specifying what constitutes infringement. The claims can be broadly categorized into method of synthesis, compound composition, and method of use.

Claim 1, the independent compound claim, establishes the foundational chemical structure:

Claim 1: A compound of the formula:

(Structure as depicted in the patent, generally showing a piperidine ring with substituents.)

Where:

  • R1 and R2 represent hydrogen or alkyl groups.
  • R3 represents a substituent on the aryl ring.
  • Ar represents an aryl or heteroaryl group.
  • The piperidine ring may be substituted at other positions.

This broad claim defines a large family of related chemical structures. Dependent claims further refine this structure by specifying particular substituents and stereochemistry, thereby narrowing the scope.

Key dependent claims include:

  • Claims related to specific aryl substituents: These claims may limit the nature of the Ar group, for example, to phenyl, pyridyl, or thiophenyl rings, and specify potential substituents on these rings.
  • Claims related to substituents on the piperidine ring: These claims can define specific alkyl groups or other moieties attached to the nitrogen atom or carbon atoms of the piperidine ring.
  • Claims related to stereoisomers: Some claims may specify particular enantiomers or diastereomers of the claimed compounds, particularly if one stereoisomer exhibits superior therapeutic activity or reduced side effects.
  • Claims related to pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates: These claims cover common formulations of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

The method claims specify therapeutic applications. For instance, a common method claim would be:

Method of Treatment Claim Example: A method for treating a condition selected from the group consisting of depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, pain, and neurodegenerative diseases, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 1.

These claims cover not only the compound itself but also its use in treating specific medical conditions. This dual protection is a common strategy in drug patenting, aiming to capture both the therapeutic agent and its application.

The patent also includes claims for pharmaceutical compositions, which are defined by the presence of an active ingredient (a claimed compound) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

How Does Patent 5,873,850 Fit into the Broader Patent Landscape?

U.S. Patent 5,873,850 operates within a complex and competitive pharmaceutical patent landscape, particularly concerning CNS-acting drugs. The patent's claims fall under established classes of compounds known to interact with neurotransmitter systems, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine receptors, which are targets for many CNS therapeutics.

The landscape for 4-arylpiperidine derivatives is populated by numerous patents from major pharmaceutical companies and research institutions. These patents often claim specific structural modifications, novel synthetic routes, or specific therapeutic indications for related compound classes.

Key Aspects of the Patent Landscape:

  • Generality vs. Specificity: Patent 5,873,850 claims a relatively broad genus of compounds. This breadth can be advantageous for the patent holder, covering a wider range of potential drug candidates. However, it also presents challenges in enforcement, as specific drug products must demonstrably fall within the claimed structure and scope.
  • Prior Art: The patent's validity relies on its novelty and non-obviousness over existing prior art at the time of filing. Prior art in this field includes earlier patents and scientific publications describing similar chemical structures or their biological activities.
  • Evergreening Strategies: The pharmaceutical industry frequently employs patent "evergreening" strategies, where new patents are obtained for incremental innovations related to an existing drug, such as new formulations, dosage regimens, or medical uses. While Patent 5,873,850 is an early patent, subsequent patents filed by the same entity or competitors might build upon or seek to circumvent its claims.
  • Competition and Licensing: The existence of patents like 5,873,850 influences R&D decisions. Competitors may design around the claims, seeking to develop compounds with similar therapeutic effects but distinct chemical structures. Alternatively, they may seek licenses to utilize the patented technology, often involving royalty payments.
  • Patent Expiry: The patent term for U.S. utility patents is 20 years from the date of filing. Patent 5,873,850, filed on August 22, 1997, and granted in 1999, would have its standard expiration in August 2017. However, patent term extensions (PTE) and adjustments are possible for pharmaceutical patents to compensate for regulatory review delays. Any PTE or adjustment would need to be verified for the specific patent. The expiration of this patent opens the door for generic competition or the development of biosimilar alternatives for any drugs that may have been developed under its protection.

What are the Key Dates and Legal Status of Patent 5,873,850?

Understanding the key dates and legal status is crucial for assessing the commercial implications of a patent.

Key Dates:

  • Application Filing Date: August 22, 1997
  • Publication Date: February 25, 1999 (Publication No. US 19990003487 A1)
  • Grant Date: February 23, 1999
  • Original Expiration Date (20-year term from filing): August 22, 2017

Legal Status:

To determine the current legal status, including any potential patent term extensions or adjustments, and whether the patent has been maintained through payment of maintenance fees, a comprehensive search of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database is required. As of general knowledge cutoffs, patents granted in 1999 for new chemical entities typically have had their primary term expire or be nearing expiration, with potential extensions impacting generic entry timelines.

A thorough review of the USPTO Public PAIR (Patent Application Information Retrieval) system would reveal:

  • Maintenance Fees: Whether all required maintenance fees have been paid to keep the patent in force.
  • Patent Term Extension (PTE): If a PTE was sought and granted, extending the patent's term beyond the standard 20 years to compensate for delays in FDA approval. The eligibility for PTE is governed by specific regulations, particularly the Hatch-Waxman Act, and is generally applicable to patents claiming human drug products.
  • Post-Grant Challenges: Whether the patent has been subjected to any post-grant review proceedings, such as inter partes review (IPR) or post-grant review (PGR), which could affect its validity or scope.

Without direct access to real-time USPTO records at this moment, the precise current legal status regarding maintenance and extensions cannot be definitively stated, but the original term has concluded. Any commercial activity or investment decisions based on this patent would necessitate confirming its active status and any extensions.

What is the Intellectual Property Protection Strategy for Patent 5,873,850?

The intellectual property protection strategy embodied by U.S. Patent 5,873,850 is characteristic of early-stage drug discovery and development, focusing on establishing a broad foundational patent for a novel class of compounds with therapeutic potential.

The strategy includes:

  • Broad Compound Claims: Claim 1 is a generic claim covering a wide genus of related chemical structures. This approach aims to capture a significant portion of the potential chemical space around the core 4-arylpiperidine scaffold. This breadth provides a strong barrier to entry for competitors developing similar molecules.
  • Method of Use Claims: By including claims for methods of treating specific CNS disorders, the patent holder secures protection not only for the compound itself but also for its therapeutic application. This is critical, as a competitor might synthesize a compound covered by the compound claims but use it for a non-patented purpose.
  • Composition of Matter Claims: The patent includes claims for pharmaceutical compositions containing the active compounds. This protects specific drug formulations that might be developed, preventing others from using these specific formulations even if they have a license for the compound itself.
  • Focus on CNS Disorders: The patent specifically targets a range of CNS conditions, indicating a strategic focus on a therapeutically significant and lucrative market segment. This focus likely aligns with the identified biological targets and pharmacological profiles of the claimed compounds.
  • Potential for Divisional/Continuation Applications: While not directly evident from the granted patent, it is common practice for applicants to file divisional or continuation applications from the parent application to pursue different aspects of the invention (e.g., specific sub-classes of compounds, new uses discovered later). This can extend the patent protection period or cover newly identified embodiments.
  • Reliance on Prosecution and Enforcement: The strategy relies on the USPTO granting broad claims during prosecution and then enforcing these claims against infringers. Enforcement typically involves litigation to prevent unauthorized manufacture, use, or sale of patented compounds or methods.

What are the Potential Therapeutic Applications and Market Implications?

The potential therapeutic applications of compounds covered by U.S. Patent 5,873,850 are primarily within the realm of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Based on the general structure of 4-arylpiperidine derivatives and their known pharmacological activities, these applications could include:

  • Psychiatric Disorders: Depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder. Many drugs targeting these conditions act on neurotransmitter systems like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which are often modulated by piperidine-based structures.
  • Neurological Disorders: Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, neuropathic pain. Compounds in this class may exhibit neuroprotective properties or modulate neuronal signaling pathways involved in these conditions.
  • Pain Management: Opioid and non-opioid analgesic effects. Certain piperidine derivatives are known to interact with pain pathways.

Market Implications:

The market implications of Patent 5,873,850 are significant, though its impact depends on whether any specific drugs were successfully developed and marketed under its protection, and its current legal status.

  • Monopoly Period: If a blockbuster drug was developed under this patent, it would have enjoyed a period of market exclusivity, preventing generic competition and allowing for premium pricing.
  • Generic Entry: The original expiration date of August 22, 2017, suggests that if no extensions were granted, generic versions of any marketed drugs would have become available around that time. This would lead to price erosion and increased market accessibility.
  • R&D Investment: The patent's existence would have influenced R&D investment decisions. Competitors would have either focused on developing distinct chemical entities to avoid infringement or sought licensing agreements. The expiration of the patent would likely spur increased R&D in areas where the patented compounds were previously dominant, as companies explore next-generation therapies or alternative treatment modalities.
  • Innovation Incentive: The patent system, through patents like 5,873,850, incentivizes pharmaceutical companies to invest heavily in the costly and risky process of drug discovery and development by offering a period of market exclusivity.
  • Licensing Opportunities: For the patent holder, the patent could have been a source of significant revenue through licensing agreements with other pharmaceutical companies that wished to develop and market drugs based on the patented technology.

The actual market impact would be tied to the specific drugs developed, their clinical success, regulatory approvals, and market penetration. A thorough market analysis would require identifying any drugs that relied on this patent and their commercial performance.

Key Takeaways

U.S. Patent 5,873,850, "4-ARYLPIPERIDINE DERIVATIVES," protects a class of chemical compounds with potential therapeutic applications in CNS disorders. The patent's broad compound claims and method of use claims are central to its intellectual property strategy. The original term of the patent expired in August 2017, opening the possibility for generic alternatives for any drugs developed under its protection. The patent landscape for CNS therapeutics is competitive, with numerous patents covering related compound classes. The commercial impact hinges on specific drug development and marketing efforts undertaken by the patent holder or licensees.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What specific drug is protected by U.S. Patent 5,873,850? U.S. Patent 5,873,850 does not claim a single specific drug but rather a broad genus of 4-arylpiperidine derivative compounds. Specific drugs would be individual members of this class.

  2. Has U.S. Patent 5,873,850 expired? The original 20-year term from the filing date of August 22, 1997, expired on August 22, 2017. However, the patent's effective legal status would need to be confirmed through the USPTO to determine if any Patent Term Extensions were granted.

  3. Can generic versions of drugs covered by Patent 5,873,850 be sold? If any drugs were developed and approved under this patent, and the patent has expired without extensions, generic versions can be manufactured and sold. The absence of extensions would allow for earlier generic entry.

  4. What is the primary therapeutic area targeted by the compounds claimed in this patent? The primary therapeutic area targeted by the compounds claimed in this patent is central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including psychiatric and neurological conditions.

  5. Does this patent cover the synthesis of the compounds or their use, or both? U.S. Patent 5,873,850 includes claims covering both the composition of matter (the compounds themselves), methods of synthesizing these compounds, and methods of using these compounds for treating specific diseases.

Citations

[1] United States Patent 5,873,850. (1999). 4-ARYLPIPERIDINE DERIVATIVES. Retrieved from USPTO database.

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Drugs Protected by US Patent 5,873,850

Applicant Tradename Generic Name Dosage NDA Approval Date TE Type RLD RS Patent No. Patent Expiration Product Substance Delist Req. Patented / Exclusive Use Submissiondate
>Applicant >Tradename >Generic Name >Dosage >NDA >Approval Date >TE >Type >RLD >RS >Patent No. >Patent Expiration >Product >Substance >Delist Req. >Patented / Exclusive Use >Submissiondate

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