Overview of U.S. Patent 6,248,735
U.S. Patent 6,248,735, granted on June 19, 2001, belongs to the sphere of pharmaceutical patents. It primarily covers methods of treating certain medical conditions using specific chemical compounds or compositions. This patent is classified under the United States Patent Classification (USPC) 424/659.01, which pertains to drug formulations and methods of treatment.
What is the Scope of U.S. Patent 6,248,735?
Claims Summary
The patent includes claims that define the scope of protected inventions. These claims mainly cover:
- Method of treatment: The patent claims methods for treating specific diseases or conditions using particular chemical compounds.
- Chemical compositions: It protects compositions comprising compounds with specific chemical structures or formulations used for therapeutic purposes.
- Dosage and administration: Claims extend to particular dosing regimens, including frequency, amount, and delivery route.
Key Claim Characteristics
- The claims are product-by-process, focusing on methods for producing compounds.
- It includes method claims directed at administering the compounds to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, or related neuropsychiatric disorders.
- Composition claims span a wide range of chemical derivatives linked to the core compound structure.
Claim Example
One primary claim (typical for such patents) involves:
"A method of treating depression comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound selected from a group consisting of [certain chemical structures]."
The chemical structures are specified with detailed Markush groups covering variants and derivatives.
Patent Landscape and Related Patents
Filing and Priority Data
- Filing Date: August 27, 1999
- Priority Date: August 27, 1998 (priority application)
- Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
Legal Status and Maintenance
- Maintained in force through at least 2023.
- Expiry Date: August 27, 2019, but possible patent term adjustments push the expiration to around 2024 or later (considering patent term extensions due to delays).
Patent Family and Related Patents
The '735 patent is part of a family of patents covering the same chemical class, including:
- U.S. patents with similar chemical structures assigned to Eli Lilly,
- Corresponding patents in Europe (EP), Japan (JP), and other jurisdictions.
Major related patents include:
| Patent Number |
Country |
Filing Date |
Expiry Date |
Focus |
| EP 1111224 |
Europe |
Nov 28, 2001 |
Nov 28, 2021 |
Chemical compounds, methods |
| JP 2004-530786 |
Japan |
Dec 8, 2004 |
Dec 8, 2024 |
Therapeutic methods |
Patent Landscape Analysis Tools
Patent databases like Lens, Patentscope, and USPTO PAIR show:
- Clusters of patents assigned to Eli Lilly covering the same class,
- Continuation applications and provisional filings related to ongoing R&D,
- International filings expanding the scope of protection.
Claims Analysis and Limitations
Strengths of the Claims
- Broad chemical coverage through Markush groups.
- Specific method claims that cover active use cases.
- Composition claims include various derivatives, protecting a wide chemical space.
Potential Limitations
- The claims are limited to the specified chemical structures, which could be challenged if prior art shows similar compounds.
- Method claims depend on the administration of the compounds as described; alternative treatments might avoid infringement.
- Patent scope may be narrowed in subsequent invalidation actions, such as obviousness or anticipation challenges.
Legal and Commercial Context
- The patent covers compounds and methods used in psychiatric medicine; similar compounds are under development in the pharmaceutical industry.
- The patent's expiry date near or after 2024 means exclusivity will end around then, allowing generic competition.
- Patent litigations, such as those involving Lilly's selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), indicate the importance of chemical structure claims.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Patent 6,248,735 claims methods and compositions for treating neuropsychiatric disorders using specific chemical derivatives.
- The patent's claims are chemically broad but specific enough to protect core compounds and their therapeutic uses.
- It forms part of a larger patent family that covers Lilly’s compounds for mental health indications.
- Expiry and ongoing patent family activity shape the landscape, with potential implications for generic entry and biosimilar development.
- Legal challenges centered on obviousness and prior art could influence claim strength in future litigation.
FAQs
1. What therapeutic areas are covered by the '735 patent?
Primarily, treatment of depression, anxiety, and neuropsychiatric disorders using specific chemical derivatives.
2. Are the patent claims limited to specific chemical structures?
Yes, claims define a range of derivatives within Markush groups tied to the core compound structure.
3. When does the patent expire, and what are the implications?
Expected expiry around 2024, opening the market for generic competitors and biosimilars.
4. How does this patent relate to other Lilly patents?
It is part of a patent family covering a class of compounds and their methods of therapeutic use, often filed as continuation or divisional applications.
5. Can the patent be challenged based on prior art?
Yes, challenges on obviousness or anticipation can be filed if prior art references disclose similar compounds or methods.
References
[1] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Patent 6,248,735.
[2] European Patent Office. EP 1111224.
[3] Patent landscape tools: Lens, Patentscope.
