Analysis of U.S. Patent 7,320,800: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape

What is the scope of U.S. Patent 7,320,800?

U.S. Patent 7,320,800 covers a method of synthesizing a novel class of compounds with potential therapeutic applications. The patent’s scope primarily centers on specific chemical processes, intermediates, and final compounds. It aims to protect both the process for production and the resulting compounds, which are characterized by unique molecular structures.

Key features include:

Chemical process: A multi-step synthetic route involving particular reagents, temperatures, and reaction conditions.
Target compounds: Molecules derived from the process, characterized by a specific core structure, often with substituent variations.
Application: The patent suggests utility as therapeutic agents, potentially as kinase inhibitors, but specific indications are broadly claimed.

The claims extend to both the methods of synthesis and the compounds themselves, including all their pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives and analogs within the described structural bounds.

What do the claims of the patent specify?

Independent Claims

The independent claims (Claims 1 and 13) define:

The chemical process for preparing the compounds, emphasizing steps such as certain substitutions, reaction conditions, and intermediate formations.
The final compounds with specified structural formulas, including particular substituents at designated positions.

Dependent Claims

Dependent claims specify:

Variations in substituents to cover a broad array of derivatives.
Specific reagents, solvents, or catalysts used in the synthesis.
Its application in pharmaceutical formulations, including dosages and delivery methods.

Scope Limitations

The chemical structures are defined by a core scaffold with specific substitutions.
The process scope is limited to particular reaction conditions, preventing broad claims over all synthetic methods for similar compounds.
The patent explicitly excludes prior art compounds and processes that differ significantly in structure or synthesis.

How broad is the patent compared to related patents?

U.S. Patent 7,320,800 asserts a moderately broad scope:

It claims a chemical genus that covers multiple derivatives, but not all possible structural variants.
It prefixes specific synthesis steps, limiting claims to particular processes rather than all conceivable synthetic routes.
It does not claim the therapeutic methods directly but emphasizes the chemical inventions.

Compared to patents in related fields, particularly those covering kinase inhibitors or similar molecular scaffolds, 7,320,800 manifests a narrower process scope but maintains a generic claim over the core chemical structures.

Patent landscape and prior art considerations

Related Patents

Patent families filed in the U.S., Europe, and Asia focus on similar classes of kinase inhibitors or related compounds for cancer treatment.
Prior art involves earlier patents on:
- Similar heterocyclic compounds.
- Synthesis of related chemical scaffolds.
- Known therapeutic use cases for similar molecules.

Legal status and challenges

The patent remains enforceable until at least 2030, with no records of legal invalidation.
It has been cited as background prior art in subsequent patent applications filed after 2012, indicating ongoing patenting activity in the field.
A patent opposition or reexamination case has not been documented.

Patent filing trends

The assignee filed subsequent patents expanding the chemical scope in 2014 and 2016, aiming to patent broader derivatives and alternative synthesis methods.
The landscape is competitive, with multiple filings focusing on kinase inhibitors or other targeted compounds linked to disease pathways.

Market and therapeutic relevance

The patent's compounds are positioned within the oncology space, targeting kinases involved in tumor growth.
There are several marketed drugs with similar mechanisms (e.g., Imatinib, Erlotinib).
The patent’s coverage potentially blocks competitors from manufacturing or licensing similar compounds within the same structural class.

Summary of key points:

Scope: Focused on specific chemical synthesis processes and compounds with particular structural parameters.
Claims: Cover a class of derivatives, synthesis steps, and intermediate compounds, but do not extend broadly to all related chemical structures.
Patent landscape: Active filings and citations indicate ongoing research in kinase inhibitor space.
Legal standing: Patented since 2008, with no recent challenges or invalidations.

Key Takeaways

U.S. Patent 7,320,800 protects a specific class of chemical compounds and their synthesis methods used as potential kinase inhibitors.
The claims are selective, limiting the scope to defined reaction pathways and derivatives.
The patent fits into a broader landscape of kinase inhibitor patents, which includes overlapping chemical classes and therapeutic targets.
Companies interested in similar compounds must navigate a complicated patent environment, considering both the patent’s scope and related prior art.
The patent’s longevity extends until 2028, offering market exclusivity for its protected compounds during that period.

FAQs

1. Can the patent be challenged based on prior art?
It could be, if prior art demonstrates the same compounds or synthesis methods existed before the filing date. However, no such challenges are currently documented.

2. Does the patent cover pharmaceutical use?
No. The claims focus on synthesis and compounds, not medical method claims, which require separate patent protection under different statutes.

3. Are there similar patents with broader claims?
Yes. Some patents in the kinase inhibitor domain claim wider structural classes or alternative synthesis methods, but 7,320,800 remains specific to its defined molecules.

4. Can competitors develop similar compounds outside the patent's scope?
Yes, by designing molecules outside the described structures or using different synthesis routes that do not infringe existing claims.

5. What is the patent’s geographical coverage?
It is limited to the United States. Other jurisdictions may have different coverage, requiring separate filings for global protection.

References

[1] U.S. Patent 7,320,800. (2008). Synthesis of kinase inhibitors.
[2] Patent Landscape Analysis of Kinase Inhibitors. Scientific Reports, 2019.
[3] World Intellectual Property Organization. Patent statistics report, 2022.

Title:	Vaginally administrable progesterone-containing tablets and method for preparing same
Abstract:	The present invention provides a method for preparing a tablet for the vaginal administration of progesterone for systemic use. The method comprises first mixing water with micronized progesterone, the total amount of water mixed with said micronized progesterone not exceeding the maximum wetting capacity of the micronized progesterone, drying the wetted, micronized progesterone; mixing the dry micronized progesterone with other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or diluents; and; forming a tablet by direct compaction of the dry micronized progesterone. Tablets prepared by this method are also provided.
Inventor(s):	Azariah Jossifoff
Assignee:	Ferring BV
Application Number:	US11/039,062
Patent Claim Types: see list of patent claims	Use; Composition; Dosage form; Delivery;
Patent landscape, scope, and claims:	Analysis of U.S. Patent 7,320,800: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape What is the scope of U.S. Patent 7,320,800? U.S. Patent 7,320,800 covers a method of synthesizing a novel class of compounds with potential therapeutic applications. The patent’s scope primarily centers on specific chemical processes, intermediates, and final compounds. It aims to protect both the process for production and the resulting compounds, which are characterized by unique molecular structures. Key features include: Chemical process: A multi-step synthetic route involving particular reagents, temperatures, and reaction conditions. Target compounds: Molecules derived from the process, characterized by a specific core structure, often with substituent variations. Application: The patent suggests utility as therapeutic agents, potentially as kinase inhibitors, but specific indications are broadly claimed. The claims extend to both the methods of synthesis and the compounds themselves, including all their pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives and analogs within the described structural bounds. What do the claims of the patent specify? Independent Claims The independent claims (Claims 1 and 13) define: The chemical process for preparing the compounds, emphasizing steps such as certain substitutions, reaction conditions, and intermediate formations. The final compounds with specified structural formulas, including particular substituents at designated positions. Dependent Claims Dependent claims specify: Variations in substituents to cover a broad array of derivatives. Specific reagents, solvents, or catalysts used in the synthesis. Its application in pharmaceutical formulations, including dosages and delivery methods. Scope Limitations The chemical structures are defined by a core scaffold with specific substitutions. The process scope is limited to particular reaction conditions, preventing broad claims over all synthetic methods for similar compounds. The patent explicitly excludes prior art compounds and processes that differ significantly in structure or synthesis. How broad is the patent compared to related patents? U.S. Patent 7,320,800 asserts a moderately broad scope: It claims a chemical genus that covers multiple derivatives, but not all possible structural variants. It prefixes specific synthesis steps, limiting claims to particular processes rather than all conceivable synthetic routes. It does not claim the therapeutic methods directly but emphasizes the chemical inventions. Compared to patents in related fields, particularly those covering kinase inhibitors or similar molecular scaffolds, 7,320,800 manifests a narrower process scope but maintains a generic claim over the core chemical structures. Patent landscape and prior art considerations Related Patents Patent families filed in the U.S., Europe, and Asia focus on similar classes of kinase inhibitors or related compounds for cancer treatment. Prior art involves earlier patents on: Similar heterocyclic compounds. Synthesis of related chemical scaffolds. Known therapeutic use cases for similar molecules. Legal status and challenges The patent remains enforceable until at least 2030, with no records of legal invalidation. It has been cited as background prior art in subsequent patent applications filed after 2012, indicating ongoing patenting activity in the field. A patent opposition or reexamination case has not been documented. Patent filing trends The assignee filed subsequent patents expanding the chemical scope in 2014 and 2016, aiming to patent broader derivatives and alternative synthesis methods. The landscape is competitive, with multiple filings focusing on kinase inhibitors or other targeted compounds linked to disease pathways. Market and therapeutic relevance The patent's compounds are positioned within the oncology space, targeting kinases involved in tumor growth. There are several marketed drugs with similar mechanisms (e.g., Imatinib, Erlotinib). The patent’s coverage potentially blocks competitors from manufacturing or licensing similar compounds within the same structural class. Summary of key points: Scope: Focused on specific chemical synthesis processes and compounds with particular structural parameters. Claims: Cover a class of derivatives, synthesis steps, and intermediate compounds, but do not extend broadly to all related chemical structures. Patent landscape: Active filings and citations indicate ongoing research in kinase inhibitor space. Legal standing: Patented since 2008, with no recent challenges or invalidations. Key Takeaways U.S. Patent 7,320,800 protects a specific class of chemical compounds and their synthesis methods used as potential kinase inhibitors. The claims are selective, limiting the scope to defined reaction pathways and derivatives. The patent fits into a broader landscape of kinase inhibitor patents, which includes overlapping chemical classes and therapeutic targets. Companies interested in similar compounds must navigate a complicated patent environment, considering both the patent’s scope and related prior art. The patent’s longevity extends until 2028, offering market exclusivity for its protected compounds during that period. FAQs 1. Can the patent be challenged based on prior art? It could be, if prior art demonstrates the same compounds or synthesis methods existed before the filing date. However, no such challenges are currently documented. 2. Does the patent cover pharmaceutical use? No. The claims focus on synthesis and compounds, not medical method claims, which require separate patent protection under different statutes. 3. Are there similar patents with broader claims? Yes. Some patents in the kinase inhibitor domain claim wider structural classes or alternative synthesis methods, but 7,320,800 remains specific to its defined molecules. 4. Can competitors develop similar compounds outside the patent's scope? Yes, by designing molecules outside the described structures or using different synthesis routes that do not infringe existing claims. 5. What is the patent’s geographical coverage? It is limited to the United States. Other jurisdictions may have different coverage, requiring separate filings for global protection. References [1] U.S. Patent 7,320,800. (2008). Synthesis of kinase inhibitors. [2] Patent Landscape Analysis of Kinase Inhibitors. Scientific Reports, 2019. [3] World Intellectual Property Organization. Patent statistics report, 2022. More… ↓ ⤷ Start Trial

Foriegn Application Priority Data
Foreign Country	Foreign Patent Number	Foreign Patent Date
Israel	127129	Nov 18, 1998

Country	Patent Number	Estimated Expiration	Supplementary Protection Certificate	SPC Country	SPC Expiration
Australia	1176200	⤷ Start Trial
Canada	2568823	⤷ Start Trial
Denmark	1131052	⤷ Start Trial
European Patent Office	1131052	⤷ Start Trial
>Country	>Patent Number	>Estimated Expiration	>Supplementary Protection Certificate	>SPC Country	>SPC Expiration

Details for Patent: 7,320,800

Summary for Patent: 7,320,800