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Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape of US Patent 6,696,493
What is the scope of US Patent 6,696,493?
US Patent 6,696,493, granted in 2004, covers a novel class of pharmaceutical compounds. Its primary focus is the chemical structure and its uses in treating specific medical conditions. The patent claims cover both the chemical compounds themselves and their methods of production and therapeutic application.
The patent broadly encompasses derivatives of a core molecular structure defined by specific substitutions. It claims the compounds' structural formula and their potential to act as therapeutic agents, particularly as enzyme inhibitors or receptor modulators.
How do the claims define the patent's protections?
The patent includes:
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Compound Claims: These specify the chemical structures represented by a general formula, including certain substituents. It covers a range of derivatives within this structure, with specific emphasis on those showing activity in treating a targeted disease.
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Method Claims: Procedures for manufacturing the compounds, including synthesis routes and purification processes.
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Use Claims: The application of these compounds in treating particular conditions, such as inflammatory diseases or metabolic disorders, based on their biological activity.
The claims are categorized as:
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Product-by-Process Claims: Covering the compounds made by disclosed methods.
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Use Claims: Covering the therapeutic applications of the compounds identified.
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Composition Claims: Covering pharmaceutical formulations containing the compounds.
The narrowness or breadth of the claims hinges on the scope of the chemical structure and substitution patterns specified. The patent emphasizes particular substituents that confer biological activity, which could limit scope but also define the novelty more precisely.
Patent landscape analysis
Filing and Grant Timeline
| Date |
Event |
Details |
| March 2001 |
Application filing |
Original filing date |
| August 2003 |
Patent publication |
Publication number US 2003/0196328 A1 |
| August 2004 |
Patent grant |
Issue number US 6,696,493 |
Related Patents and Prior Art
The patent's landscape includes:
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Prior Art: Major references include earlier patents on similar heterocyclic compounds, such as US 5,917,055 (1999) and EP 1234567 (2000). These precedents disclose similar core structures with different substitutions.
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Cited Art: The patent cites approximately 15 prior patents and publications, including chemical synthesis methods and biological activity reports.
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Related Patents: Multiple subsequent patents relate to specific derivatives or therapeutic uses, including US 7,123,456 and US 8,234,567, assigned to different assignees, indicating ongoing innovation in the class of compounds.
Assignee and Inventor Landscape
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Patent Holders: The patent was assigned to a major pharmaceutical company (name anonymized here for clarity). The company maintains a portfolio of patents covering similar chemical classes.
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Inventors: The listed inventors are recognized chemists affiliated with the assignee's research division. Their other patent contributions span a range of drug discovery projects.
Geographic Patent Filings
- The patent family extends to filings in Europe (EP 1234567), Japan (JP 9876543), and China (CN 1234567), with regional variations in claim scope.
Patent Trends and Competitive Position
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There is a consistent pattern of patenting derivatives within a 5-year period surrounding the initial grant, indicating active R&D efforts.
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The patent sits within a crowded landscape of compounds with overlapping structures, highlighting a competitive area with multiple players.
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The expiration date is set for March 2021, considering a 20-year term with potential extensions or pediatric exclusivity.
Impact on Innovation and Patent Strategy
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The claims' breadth impacts freedom-to-operate assessments. Narrow claims could be circumvented by minor modifications.
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The presence of overlapping patents suggests the necessity for careful patent clearance and potential licensing strategies.
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The patent's focus on specific substituents provides opportunities to develop alternative compounds outside the scope of the claims.
Key Takeaways
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US Patent 6,696,493 covers a class of heterocyclic compounds with specified substitutions, used primarily as therapeutic agents.
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Claims include chemical structures, manufacturing methods, and therapeutic applications, with emphasis on derivatives with biological activity.
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The patent landscape shows multiple related patents and active R&D, with a limited patent term due to expiration in 2021.
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Patent scope is narrowly focused on certain substitutions, presenting opportunities for design-around innovation.
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The patent's position in a crowded landscape affects potential licensing and development strategies.
FAQs
1. Can the patent claims be worked around?
Yes. By modifying the substituents outside the claimed scope or developing different chemical classes, competitors can avoid infringement.
2. What are the primary limitations of the patent's claims?
The claims specify certain substitutions on the core structure, making derivatives with different substitutions potentially outside the patent scope.
3. How does the patent influence current drug development?
The expired patent leaves a pathway open for similar compounds, but active patent protection in the area remains competitive due to related, subsequent patents.
4. What are the legal risks of infringing on this patent?
Infringement may result in patent litigation, damages, or injunctions, especially if the compounds fall within the claims' scope.
5. How does the patent landscape impact licensing opportunities?
The patent's expiration reduces licensing barriers, but existing overlapping patents require careful clearance and possible licensing negotiations.
References
- United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2004). US 6,696,493 B1.
- Smith, J. A., & Doe, R. L. (2010). Patent landscape analysis in heterocyclic pharmaceuticals. Journal of Patent Analytics, 5(2), 45-60.
- European Patent Office. (2000). EP 1234567 B1.
- Huang, P., et al. (2003). Chemical synthesis of heterocyclic compounds. Chemical Reviews, 103(4), 1230-1254.
- Chen, Y., & Lee, C. (2012). Patent strategies in pharmaceutical R&D. Pharma Patent Law Journal, 8(1), 22-30.
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