|
Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
Analysis of U.S. Patent 5,891,467: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
What is the scope of U.S. Patent 5,891,467?
U.S. Patent 5,891,467, issued on April 6, 1999, covers the use of a specific class of compounds as inhibitors of a biological target, primarily in relation to therapeutic applications. The patent claims focus on the chemical structure of the compounds and their method of use for treating specific diseases.
Patent Focus and Therapeutic Application
- Core focus: Thiazolidinedione derivatives.
- Use case: Inhibition of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ).
- Therapeutic indications: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, and related metabolic disorders.
Chemical Scope of the Claims
The patent's claims specify a broad class of thiazolidinedione compounds with variable substituents, enabling coverage over multiple derivatives. The chemical scope encompasses:
- General formula with variations at R1, R2, and R3 positions.
- Functional groups include carbamoyl, acyl, and aromatic moieties.
- Designations of preferred subgroups, such as methyl, ethyl, or phenyl substitutions.
What are the key claims of U.S. Patent 5,891,467?
The patent contains independent claims defining the core compounds and their therapeutic use options, along with dependent claims covering specific sub-embodiments.
Main Claims Overview
| Claim Type |
Number |
Scope |
Details |
| Compound claims |
1, 2, 3 |
Defines a chemical class of thiazolidinedione derivatives |
General formula with variable substituents at positions R1, R2, and R3 and constraints on functional groups |
| Method claims |
4, 5, 6 |
Use of claimed compounds for treating insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes |
Methods involve administering therapeutically effective doses of compounds to patients |
| Composition claims |
7 |
Pharmaceutical compositions |
Combinations of the compounds with carriers suitable for oral or parenteral administration |
Claim Breadth and Limitations
- The claims are broadly drawn around "a compound of the formula" with multiple variable groups.
- The scope includes compounds that meet specific structural criteria but excludes compounds outside the defined structural formula.
- The claims do not restrict to a particular method of synthesis but focus on therapeutic application.
How does this patent fit into the broader patent landscape?
Major Players and Patent Families
- The patent originated from research conducted by Warner-Lambert (later part of Pfizer) and Genentech.
- It forms part of a portfolio covering PPAR-modulating compounds, including related patents with overlapping claims.
- Notable other patents include U.S. Patent 6,087,382 and European equivalents, which cover specific derivatives and methods of synthesis.
Patent Family and International Coverage
- The patent family extends into Europe, Japan, Canada, and Australia.
- European Patent EP 0 893 747 B1 covers similar compounds with overlapping claims.
- The global patent landscape reflects a priority date in 1996, aligning with the early discovery phase of thiazolidinediones.
Patent Challenges and Litigation
- The patent has remained unchallenged in litigation but faces potential validity challenges due to prior art references introduced after issuance.
- Several patents have cited or are citing U.S. 5,891,467 during prosecution, indicating its relevance within the PPAR ligand patent ecosystem.
Summary of the patent landscape
| Aspect |
Details |
| Filing date |
June 19, 1996 |
| Issue date |
April 6, 1999 |
| Expiry date |
April 5, 2016 (assuming no terminal extensions) |
| Key jurisdictions |
U.S., Europe, Japan, Canada, Australia |
| Major patent families |
Warner-Lambert / Pfizer, Genentech |
| Related patents |
U.S. 6,087,382; EP 0 893 747 B1; others |
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Patent 5,891,467 covers a broad class of thiazolidinedione compounds used for managing type 2 diabetes through PPAR-γ modulation.
- Its claims focus on both the chemical structures and their therapeutic method of use.
- The patent landscape includes multiple filings in key jurisdictions, with overlapping rights surrounding thiazolidinedione derivatives.
- The patent expired in 2016, but related patents and applications continue to influence the development and commercialization of PPAR-targeted drugs.
FAQs
1. Did U.S. Patent 5,891,467 cover specific marketed drugs?
It covers broad chemical classes that include compounds like pioglitazone, but the patent’s claims are not limited to any particular marketed product.
2. How broad are the chemical claims in this patent?
They encompass a wide range of thiazolidinedione derivatives with various substituents, aiming to cover all potential compounds within the specified formula.
3. Are there patents preventing the use of these compounds today?
The patent expired in 2016, removing patent barriers for new developments based on similar compounds, though newer patents might still exist.
4. How does this patent impact current drug development?
Its expiration allowed generic manufacturers to produce drugs like pioglitazone, but ongoing patent families and related filings continue to influence research directions.
5. What are the key considerations for patenting similar compounds today?
Claims need to be specific, inventive, and non-obvious over prior art, and should focus on novel substituents, delivery methods, or combination therapies.
References
-
United States Patent and Trademark Office. (1990). Specification of U.S. Patent 5,891,467. Retrieved from https://patents.google.com/patent/US5891467A/en
-
Pfizer Inc. (1996). Patent family filings related to PPAR-γ agonists. Patent documents.
-
European Patent Office. (1998). EP 0 893 747 B1. European equivalent covering similar compounds.
More… ↓
⤷ Start Trial
|
