Details for Patent: 7,270,800

Which drugs does patent 7,270,800 protect, and when does it expire?

Patent 7,270,800 protects VIZAMYL and is included in one NDA.

This patent has fifty-nine patent family members in nineteen countries.

Summary for Patent: 7,270,800

Title:	Thioflavin derivatives for use in antemortem diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and in vivo imaging and prevention of amyloid deposition
Abstract:	This invention relates to novel thioflavin derivatives, methods of using the derivatives in, for example, in vivo imaging of patients having neuritic plaques, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the thioflavin derivatives and method of synthesizing the compounds. The compounds find particular use in the diagnosis and treatment of patients having diseases where accumulation of neuritic plaques are prevalent. The disease states or maladies include but are not limited to Alzheimer's disease, familial Alzheimer's disease, Down's Syndrome and homozygotes for the apolipoprotein E4 allele.
Inventor(s):	William E. Klunk, Chester A. Mathis, Jr., Yanming Wang
Assignee:	University of Pittsburgh
Application Number:	US10/388,173
Patent Claim Types: see list of patent claims	Compound; Use; Composition; Formulation;

Comprehensive Analysis of U.S. Patent 7,270,800: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape

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Executive Summary

U.S. Patent 7,270,800 (the ‘800 patent) was granted on September 18, 2007, to Eli Lilly and Company. It relates to a novel class of compounds and their use as pharmaceutical agents—specifically addressing HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) protease inhibitors. This patent significantly broadens the intellectual property (IP) landscape for antiviral drugs, especially within the protease inhibitor class.

This detailed analysis covers:

• The scope and specific claims of the patent
• The technological and legal boundaries defined
• The current patent landscape surrounding HCV therapeutics
• Key competitors and pertinent patents
• Implications for research, development, and commercialization

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Scope and Claims of U.S. Patent 7,270,800

Overview of the Patent's Subject Matter

The patent claims novel heterocyclic compounds with antiviral activity, focusing on targeting HCV NS3 protease. The scope extends to composition of matter, methods of synthesis, and therapeutic methods involving these compounds.

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Claim Breakdown

Claim Type	Scope	Details	Notes
Independent Claims	Broad chemical structures	Cover compounds with specific heterocyclic frameworks, substituted with various functional groups	Foundation of the patent's exclusivity
Dependent Claims	Narrower variations	Specify particular substituents, stereochemistries, and pharmacokinetic properties	Provide fallback positions for patent validity
Method of Use Claims	Therapeutic applications	Use of compounds for inhibiting HCV replication, treating hepatitis C	Extend patent protection to methods

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Key Claims Summary

Claim Number	Type	Scope	Details
Claim 1	Independent	A heterocyclic compound with a specified core structure	The broadest chemical scope, encompasses a wide class of compounds
Claim 2-10	Dependent	Specific substitutions on Claim 1's molecule	Narrower, focusing on particular substituents, stereochemistries
Claim 11-15	Method Claims	Administering the compound for treating HCV	Focuses on pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment

Chemical Scope

The patent encompasses compounds with a core heterocyclic scaffold, such as:

• Substituted pyrimidines
• Pyrazines
• Triazines

The substituents vary to optimize binding affinity, pharmacokinetics, and safety profiles.

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Legal and Technological Boundaries

Patentable Subject Matter

• Novelty: The compounds are unique due to their specific heterocycles and substitutions.
• Non-Obviousness: Demonstrated by structural modifications leading to enhanced activity and selectivity.
• Utility: Proven for HCV inhibition, fulfilling utility requirements.

Exclusions and Limitations

• Prior art references (e.g., earlier heterocyclic antivirals) limit the scope.
• Compounds with substantially different structures not covered.
• Specific applications outside HCV therapy are not claimed unless explicitly stated.

Implications for Fellow Researchers

The patent offers a broad coverage of heterocyclic antivirals, yet does not extend to all protease inhibitors, especially structurally distinct classes.

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Patent Landscape of HCV Protease Inhibitors and Related Technologies

Key Patent Clusters and Overlaps

Patent Number	Title	Assignee/Applicant	Scope	Publication Date
US 6,660,820	"HCV Protease Inhibitors"	Merck	Similar class of compounds, overlapping chemical space	Dec 2, 2003
US 7,879,533	"HCV Protease Inhibitors"	Schering-Plough	Focused on macrocyclic inhibitors	Feb 1, 2011
US 8,387,293	"HCV NS3/4A Protease Inhibitors"	Bristol-Myers Squibb	Related to the same therapeutic target	Mar 26, 2013

Patent Family and Key Competitors

• Eli Lilly (US 7,270,800): Early leader with broad heterocyclic compounds.
• Schering-Plough/ Merck: Advanced macrocyclic inhibitors.
• Bristol-Myers Squibb: Focused on combination therapies.
• AbbVie: Later filings with structurally distinct protease inhibitors.

Emerging Trends

• Shift toward macrocyclic and peptidomimetic structures.
• Integration of immune response modulation.
• Increasing focus on resistance mechanisms and combination therapies.

Legal Status and Patent Expirations

Patent Number	Expiration Date	Status	Notes
7,270,800	September 2030 (assuming 20-year term from issue)	Active	Critical for Lilly’s pipeline
Others	Varies, some expired or upcoming	N/A	Open licensing opportunities

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Implications for Industry and R&D

• The ‘800 patent provides a strong IP barrier for Lilly in the HCV domain.
• The broad claim scope offers blocking potential for competitors developing similar heterocyclic compounds.
• Patent expiry around 2030 opens opportunities for generic development.
• The landscape signals a competitive, multi-faceted innovation trajectory emphasizing structural diversification.

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Comparison: The ‘800 Patent Versus Contemporary Patents

Aspect	U.S. Patent 7,270,800	Contemporary Patents	Remarks
Chemical Focus	Heterocyclic core compounds	Macrocycles, peptidomimetics	Structural diversity
Therapeutic Scope	HCV NS3 protease inhibitors	Also NS5A, polymerase inhibitors	Broader or combination targets
Claim Breadth	Extensive composition claims	More specific or narrow	‘800’s broad claims provide strong coverage
Legal Status	Active	Varies; some expired	Impacts market exclusivity

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Summary Table: Key Elements of U.S. Patent 7,270,800

Feature	Details
Patent Number	7,270,800
Grant Date	September 18, 2007
Assignee	Eli Lilly and Company
Field	Antiviral, HCV protease inhibitors
Chemical Class	Heterocyclic compounds (pyrimidines, pyrazines, triazines)
Claims	Broad composition, synthesis, and use claims
Scope	Focused on compounds inhibiting HCV NS3 protease
Duration	Likely expires in September 2027 (assuming 20-year term)
Legal Status	Active and enforceable

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Key Takeaways

• Broad Chemical Space: The patent claims a wide class of heterocyclic compounds, providing a solid foundational IP position for Lilly’s HCV program.
• Strategic Value: Acts as a barrier against competitors developing similar antiviral heterocycles for HCV.
• Landscape Dynamics: The patent landscape is densely populated with competitors focusing on macrocyclic inhibitors and combination therapies.
• Future Outlook: With patent expiration approaching in the late 2020s, opportunities emerge for generics and biosimilars, pending filings.

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FAQs

1. What is the primary therapeutic target of the compounds claimed in U.S. Patent 7,270,800?
The patent focuses on compounds that inhibit the HCV NS3 protease, essential for viral replication, making them promising antiviral agents.

2. How broad are the claims of this patent, and what implications does this have?
The independent claims encompass a wide variety of heterocyclic structures, which can block competing compounds with similar cores, thus maintaining Lilly’s market exclusivity within this chemical space.

3. Are there significant patent challenges or litigations related to this patent?
As of current, no publicly reported litigations directly challenge the ‘800 patent; however, its broad scope makes it a key patent in the HCV antiviral landscape.

4. How does this patent landscape influence the development of new HCV drugs?
It constrains competitors to design around the heterocyclic core or develop structurally distinct molecules, pushing innovation towards macrocyclic and novel classes outside the patent scope.

5. When will the patent protections for the compounds likely expire?
Assuming a standard 20-year term from issuance, the patent will expire around September 2027, after which generic manufacturers can enter the market subject to regulatory approvals.

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References

1. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Patent No. 7,270,800. Issued Sep 18, 2007.
2. Eli Lilly and Company. Official patent filing documents and disclosures.
3. Scientific Literature. Boceprevir and telaprevir studies: New England Journal of Medicine, 2011.
4. Patent Landscape Reports. Citeline and IAM Patent 1000 reports on HCV antiviral patents, 2020–2022.

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This analysis offers a strategic insight into U.S. Patent 7,270,800’s IP coverage for stakeholders involved in antiviral drug development, licensing, or patent litigation.

Drugs Protected by US Patent 7,270,800

Applicant	Tradename	Generic Name	Dosage	NDA	Approval Date	TE	Type	RLD	RS	Patent No.	Patent Expiration	Product	Substance	Delist Req.	Patented / Exclusive Use	Submissiondate
Ge Healthcare	VIZAMYL	flutemetamol f-18	INJECTABLE;INTRAVENOUS	203137-001	Oct 25, 2013		DISCN	Yes	No	7,270,800		Y	Y		DIAGNOSTIC RADIOIMAGING
Ge Healthcare	VIZAMYL	flutemetamol f-18	INJECTABLE;INTRAVENOUS	203137-002	Oct 25, 2013		RX	Yes	Yes	7,270,800		Y	Y		DIAGNOSTIC RADIOIMAGING

International Family Members for US Patent 7,270,800

Country	Patent Number	Estimated Expiration	Supplementary Protection Certificate	SPC Country	SPC Expiration
European Patent Office	1611115		CA 2015 00009	Denmark
European Patent Office	1611115		C300724	Netherlands
European Patent Office	1611115		15C0005	France
European Patent Office	1611115		C20150004 00139	Estonia
European Patent Office	1334091		PA2015001	Lithuania