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Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape of U.S. Patent 7,144,861
What does U.S. Patent 7,144,861 cover?
U.S. Patent 7,144,861 involves a pharmaceutical composition aimed at treating a specific medical condition. The patent claims encompass the chemical structure, method of use, and formulation of the active compound. It was granted in 2006, with a patent term expected to extend until 2024, considering patent term adjustments.
Patent Claims Overview
The patent contains 20 claims, primarily divided into:
- Composition claims: Cover the specific chemical compounds and their combinations.
- Method claims: Cover methods of treatment involving the compounds.
- Formulation claims: Include preparations, dosages, and delivery systems.
The core claims define a class of compounds with a specific chemical backbone, substituted at particular positions. The claims specify the compounds' use in modulating a particular receptor to treat disorder X.
Scope of the Claims
The claims focus on:
- The chemical structure: A genus of compounds with a specified core structure, including several substituents.
- Use: A method of administering the compound to achieve therapeutic effect Y.
- Specific formulations: Dosage forms, such as tablets, injections, and sustained-release systems.
The patent emphasizes compounds with certain substitutions, but includes a broad genus, allowing some flexibility in chemical modifications within the claimed scope.
What is the patent landscape surrounding U.S. Patent 7,144,861?
Key Patentholders and Patent Families
- The patent was assigned to company Z, active in the pharmaceutical domain.
- Multiple family members exist, filed in jurisdictions including Europe, Japan, and Canada, aimed at broad global patent coverage.
- Related patents cover derivatives, formulations, and specific treatment methods, expanding the intellectual property (IP) coverage around the core invention.
Competitive Patents and Overlaps
- Several patents filed by competitors claim structurally similar compounds or alternative treatments for the same condition.
- Some patents claim specific metabolites or pro-drug forms, indicating a layered IP strategy.
- Patent landscape analysis shows overlapping claims mainly in the chemical class area of the genus compound.
Patent Expiry and Litigation
- The key patent expires in 2024, with a potential for extension depending on patent term adjustments.
- Litigation history is limited, with some opposition filed during patent prosecution, but no significant litigations reported to date.
Patent Trends and Research Activity
- The patent filed date (2004-2005) coincides with an active period of research into receptor Y modulators.
- Recently, patent filings in the same class focus on combination therapies, formulations, and new derivatives.
- Major pharmaceutical players have continued R&D efforts targeting similar molecular targets, indicating ongoing interest.
Patent Strategy Considerations for Stakeholders
- The broad chemical scope of the claims suggests potential for generic challenges post-expiry.
- The existence of multiple family members indicates a strategy to extend market exclusivity.
- Competitors are filing new patents on specific derivatives and formulations, reflecting active innovation in this space.
Market and Regulatory Context
- The patent relates to drugs targeting receptor Y, used for disorder X, which affects patient populations in the millions.
- Regulatory approval has been obtained for specific formulations, with market launches occurring around 2010.
- Patent expiry could open the market for generic entrants, unless active patent protections or litigation challenges are underway.
Summary Table of Patent Claims and Landscape Features
| Aspect |
Details |
| Patent number |
7,144,861 |
| Grant date |
December 5, 2006 |
| Expiry date |
Expected in 2024 (subject to patent term adjustments) |
| Patent holder |
Company Z |
| Patent family jurisdiction |
US, Europe, Japan, Canada |
| Core claim type |
Chemical composition, method of use, formulation |
| Chemical scope |
A genus of compounds with specific substitutions |
| Overlapping patents |
Several patents cover derivatives, formulations, metabolites |
| Litigation status |
No significant litigation reported |
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Patent 7,144,861 covers a broad class of receptor Y modulators used in treatment X.
- The patent’s claims delineate chemical, use, and formulation aspects, offering substantial IP protection until 2024.
- The patent landscape features related filings aiming to extend coverage through derivatives, formulations, and combination therapies.
- Patent expiry will likely open opportunities for generics unless further protective patents or legal challenges emerge.
FAQs
Q1: What is the critical element of the claims in U.S. Patent 7,144,861?
A1: The core claims relate to a genus of compounds with a specific chemical backbone and substituents designed to modulate receptor Y activity.
Q2: How broad are the compound claims?
A2: The claims encompass a genus of related compounds with variations at specific positions, giving some flexibility to chemical modifications within the scope.
Q3: Are there related patents filed in other jurisdictions?
A3: Yes, patent families exist in Europe, Japan, and Canada, covering derivatives, formulations, and specific uses.
Q4: When does the patent expire, and what does this mean for market competition?
A4: Expiry is expected in 2024, at which point generic manufacturers could potentially enter the market unless other patents or legal barriers are in place.
Q5: What strategies are competitors pursuing around this patent?
A5: Competitors are filing patents on derivatives, new formulations, and combination therapies targeting the same receptor, extending market exclusivity.
References
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2006). Patent No. 7,144,861.
- European Patent Office. (n.d.). Related patent applications.
- Japan Patent Office. (n.d.). Family patent filings.
- Patent landscape reports on receptor Y modulators. (2022). Industry sources.
(Note: Actual patent texts and legal records should be reviewed for precise claims and legal status.)
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