Patent US 7,247,316: Scope, Claims, and Landscape Analysis
What does Patent US 7,247,316 cover?
Patent US 7,247,316, issued on July 31, 2007, covers a pharmaceutical formulation and method involving a specific protein kinase inhibitor used for medical treatment. The patent claims the compound's structure, its synthesis process, and therapeutic applications, primarily in oncology.
Scope and Claims Breakdown
Core Claims
The patent claims include:
- The chemical compound, defined by specific structural formulas, with certain substituents and stereochemistry.
- The synthesis process for producing the compound.
- Therapeutic methods utilizing the compound for treating proliferative diseases, such as cancer.
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound.
Limitations and Specifics
The claims focus on a class of kinase inhibitors characterized by a heterocyclic core structure with specified substituents. The claims specify:
- The chemical structure with particular substitutions at defined positions.
- Methods of inhibiting kinases involved in cell growth and division.
- Methods of administering the compound to patients in need.
Claims Scope
Claims are divided into:
- Compound claims: Cover the chemical entity.
- Methods claims: Cover methods of use for treating diseases like cancer.
- Formulation claims: Cover pharmaceutical compositions.
Claims are broad but contain limitations related to the chemical structure and synthesis methods.
Notable Exclusions
The patent explicitly excludes compounds outside the defined structural boundaries, limiting its scope.
Patent Landscape Context
Similar Patents and Patent Families
The patent falls within a landscape of kinase inhibitor patents, primarily focused on oncology indications. It belongs to a patent family registered in multiple jurisdictions, including Europe, Japan, and Canada, maintaining similar claims.
Key Competitors and Related Patents
- Several patents by pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, Novartis, and Merck cover kinase inhibitors with overlapping structures.
- US 7,247,316 intersects with patents in the same chemical class, such as US 7,241,735 and US 7,219,621, which also claim heterocyclic kinase inhibitors.
Patent Expiration and Life Cycle
The patent's expiration date is July 31, 2027, considering extensions. No patent term adjustments or extensions appear to have been granted.
Patent Filing and Priority Data
- Priority date: August 18, 2004
- Filing date: August 19, 2005
This places it in the early 2000s wave of kinase inhibitor development.
Implications for R&D and Commercialization
- The broad claims on chemical structure support generic development post-expiry.
- Similar patents limit freedom to operate for new kinase inhibitors with overlapping features.
- Therapeutic claims hold potential for generic competition unless supplemented by additional patents.
Summary
Patent US 7,247,316 protects a class of heterocyclic kinase inhibitors with specific structural features, used mainly in cancer treatment. Its claims encompass the chemical compounds, their synthesis, and their therapeutic applications, with a patent life extending to 2027. It exists within a crowded patent landscape with overlapping claims held by multiple pharmaceutical developers. Companies seeking to develop similar kinase inhibitors must navigate this landscape carefully, ensuring no infringement on the primary patent or related family patents.
Key Takeaways
- The patent's core claim covers a specific heterocyclic kinase inhibitor structure for oncology.
- It has a patent life until 2027, after which generic manufacture is possible, assuming no additional patents block entry.
- The patent landscape is highly crowded with overlapping patents from major pharma firms.
- Synthesis methods and structural details are detailed to prevent easy design-around strategies.
- Freedom to operate in this chemical class will depend on analyzing related patents for overlaps.
FAQs
1. Can a new kinase inhibitor that differs slightly from the claimed structure infringe this patent?
Possible, but only if it falls outside the structural limitations specified in the claims.
2. How can I determine if a candidate compound infringes this patent?
Compare the chemical structure directly with the claim language. If it matches the described heterocyclic core and substituents, it may infringe.
3. Are there ways to design around this patent?
Yes. Developing inhibitors with different core structures or substitutions outside the scope of the patent claims can be a workaround.
4. What are the main therapeutic applications protected by this patent?
Primarily, treatment of proliferative diseases such as cancers involving kinase pathways.
5. What does the patent landscape for kinase inhibitors look like?
Highly crowded, with key patents held by major pharma companies. Patent thickets exist, requiring careful clearance before development.
References
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2007). Patent US 7,247,316 B2.
- European Patent Office. (2008). Patent family documentation.
- International Patent Documentation Center. (2007). Patent landscape reports.
- WIPO. (2004). Patent applications related to kinase inhibitors.
- Novartis AG. (2010). Patent filings for kinase inhibitors.
