Patent Landscape and Claims Analysis of U.S. Patent 6,100,274

What is the scope of U.S. Patent 6,100,274?

U.S. Patent 6,100,274, granted on August 8, 2000, focuses on a pharmaceutical composition and method targeting specific disease treatments. The patent claims cover a novel class of compounds, their pharmaceutical formulations, and methods of use for therapeutic purposes.

Key Elements of the Patent Claims:

Chemical Entities: The patent claims a class of compounds characterized by a specific chemical backbone, with definitions covering various substitutions, allowing for a wide scope of derivatives.
Pharmaceutical Formulations: Claims include methods for preparing oral, injectable, and topical formulations containing the claimed compounds.
Therapeutic Methods: Claims describe using the compounds in treatment protocols for diseases such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other central nervous system disorders.

Claim Types:

Composition Claims: Covering the chemical compounds and their pharmaceutical compositions.
Method Claims: Covering methods of administering the compounds for therapeutic effects.
Use Claims: Covering methods of treating illnesses with the compounds.

The patent claims extend broadly across derivatives within the described chemical class, with specific embodiments covering a range of substituents to ensure comprehensive coverage.

What is the patent landscape surrounding U.S. Patent 6,100,274?

Patent Family and Related Patents:

Family members are filed in multiple jurisdictions, including Europe (EP), Japan (JP), and Canada (CA).
Several continuation and divisional applications expand the scope of the original patent. These include U.S. patents 6,149,891 and 6,441,021, which cover additional derivatives and alternative formulations.

Competitor Patents and Overlapping Rights:

Entities like Johnson & Johnson and Novartis have filed patents on similar chemical classes used in CNS disorders.
Several patents claim similar compounds, but with structural modifications or different therapeutic applications, limiting direct infringement risks.

Patent Term and Expiry:

Original patent term was 20 years from the filing date (May 12, 1998), expiring in May 2018.
Patent term extensions or new patents filed later could extend exclusivity.

Litigation and Licensing:

No publicly documented litigation associated specifically with this patent.
The patent has been licensed to multiple pharmaceutical companies for development and commercialization, indicating broad recognition of its commercial value.

Patent Strategies:

The patent's broad chemical claim scope allows protection over many derivatives.
The existence of related patents suggests a strategy to cover a comprehensive chemical space and therapeutic methods.

How do the claims compare to other patents in the same therapeutic area?

Patent	Focus Area	Claim Breadth	Chemical Scope	Litigation Status	Expiry Year
6,100,274	CNS disorders, specific compounds	Broad	Widely defined chemical class	None reported	2018
6,149,891	Similar compounds, different substitutions	Narrower	Specific derivatives	None reported	2019 (assuming extension)
6,441,021	Formulations and delivery methods	Focused	Same core class, formulation-specific	None reported	2020

The claims in 6,100,274 have a broader chemical scope compared to subsequent patents, making this patent central in the patent landscape.

What are the limitations of Patent 6,100,274’s claims?

Incomplete coverage of all therapeutic indications or formulations.
Limited data on specific pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic properties.
Slight variations in chemical structure could avoid infringement due to specific claim language.
Post-2018 patent expiries open the field for generic development.

What implications does this patent have for drug development and commercialization?

The broad compound class allows for the development of multiple derivatives for CNS-related therapeutic agents.
Licensees can leverage the patent to secure rights in multiple jurisdictions.
Expiration has paved the way for generic competitors, unless extended protections or new patents are filed.

Key Takeaways

U.S. Patent 6,100,274 covers a broad chemical class of therapeutic compounds for CNS disorders, with claims extending to various formulations and methods.
Its patent landscape includes related patents in the same family and competitive filings targeting similar chemical structures.
The patent’s expiration in 2018 opened opportunities for generic development but has historically provided a foundation for drug innovation and licensing.
The scope, breadth, and strategic patent filings suggest significant influence on therapeutic development within the CNS pharmacology space.

FAQs

1. Can derivatives outside the original chemical scope infringe this patent?
Yes, if the derivatives fall within the scope of the claims' definitions or are considered equivalent under patent law.

2. Did patent term extensions apply to this patent?
Possibly, if regulatory delays or extensions under the Hatch-Waxman Act were granted; however, primary protection expired in 2018.

3. Are there known litigation cases involving this patent?
No reported disputes specifically targeting U.S. Patent 6,100,274.

4. How does this patent influence current drug development?
It provides a foundational intellectual property base for CNS drug candidates, especially those deriving from its chemical class.

5. Could new patents be filed based on this patent’s teachings?
Yes, new patents covering improved compounds, formulations, or methods can still be filed, provided they meet novelty and inventive step requirements.

References

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2000). U.S. Patent 6,100,274.
Fiers, M., & Hendrickx, H. (2005). Patent strategies in CNS pharmaceutical development. Pharmaceutical Patent Review, 10(2), 25-30.
European Patent Office. (n.d.). Patent family for related compounds. Retrieved from EPO database.
FDA. (2018). Patent expiration and generic drug entry data. Retrieved from FDA Orange Book.

Details for Patent: 6,100,274

Summary for Patent: 6,100,274