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Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape of U.S. Patent 7,351,414
What is the scope of U.S. Patent 7,351,414?
U.S. Patent 7,351,414, granted May 13, 2008, covers a novel chemical compound and related pharmaceutical compositions. The patent primarily targets the class of kinase inhibitors with specific structural features used to treat proliferative diseases, including cancers.
The patent claims the compound(s), methods of preparation, pharmaceutical compositions, and their use in treating specific diseases. It emphasizes compounds characterized by a particular heterocyclic scaffold, substituted at defined positions to enhance kinase inhibitory activity.
What are the key claims of the patent?
Core Claims Summary
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Compound claims: The patent claims a chemical compound having a specified structure (a heterocyclic core with particular substitutions). The claims traditionally encompass a broad class of compounds within the defined structural framework, including salts, solvates, and various stereoisomers.
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Process claims: Methods of synthesizing the compounds involve multiple steps, with specific reagents and conditions outlined to produce the claimed molecules efficiently.
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Use claims: The patent claims the use of the compounds for inhibiting kinases, including specific kinases such as VEGFR (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor), PDGFR (platelet-derived growth factor receptor), and others involved in tumor progression.
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Pharmaceutical claims: The claimed compositions incorporate effective amounts of the compounds into formulations suitable for administration, including oral, injectable, or topical forms.
Structural Scope
The chemical structure claims cover a core heterocyclic scaffold with variable substitutions. Specifically, the general formula includes:
- A heterocyclic ring system with various substituents on position N, R, and other variable groups.
- Substituents aim to optimize kinase affinity, pharmacokinetics, and bioavailability.
Limitations and Exclusions
Claims do not encompass compounds outside the specified structural framework, such as compounds with different heterocyclic cores or substitutions outside the defined positions. The patent excludes compositions with substituents that significantly alter the core structure or introduce different pharmacophore features.
Claim Breadth and Flexibility
The claims are broad but constrained by the structural variables, aiming to cover a wide range of analogs while maintaining specificity. The scope includes derivatives with similar pharmacological profiles but different side chains, enabling patent protection across analogs and derivatives.
What is the patent landscape surrounding U.S. Patent 7,351,414?
Patent family and continuations
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The patent is part of a family with international counterparts, filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The family includes patents granted in Europe (EP), Japan (JP), and other jurisdictions, with priority dates around 2005.
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Multiple continuation and divisional applications exist, attempting to extend or narrow claims. These filings explore different chemical variants and use claims, complicating infringement analysis or freedom-to-operate assessments.
Related patents and citations
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The patent cites numerous prior art references focused on kinase inhibitors, heterocyclic compounds, and medicinal chemistry strategies. Many prior art references focus on similar heterocyclic scaffolds, indicating an intense patenting environment in kinase inhibitor space.
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Several later patents build upon the disclosed scaffold, claiming specific subsets or optimized derivatives, indicating active patenting activity to cover subsequent generations of compounds.
Patent expiration and status
- The patent expires on May 13, 2028, due to the standard 20-year patent term from filing, assuming maintenance fees are paid. Its scope remains relevant to companies developing kinase inhibitors targeting similar pathways.
Litigation and patent disputes
- There are no publicly documented litigations directly concerning U.S. Patent 7,351,414, but the patent landscape is crowded with multiple patents covering kinase inhibitors, leading to potential infringement risks for competing compounds.
Key competitors and overlapping patents
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Major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, Novartis, and GSK filed patents covering kinase inhibitors with similar structures, typically focusing on different substitutions or targeted kinases.
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University-generated patents have also emerged, emphasizing novel heterocyclic scaffolds for kinase inhibition, creating targeted infringement or freedom-to-operate challenges.
Summary of Patent Landscape
| Patent / Application |
Jurisdiction |
Filing Year |
Focus Area |
Status |
Relevance |
| 7,351,414 |
US |
2005 |
Kinase inhibitors |
Issued 2008 |
Core patent, foundational |
| PCT WO2006075832 |
PCT |
2005 |
Kinase inhibitors |
Published 2006 |
Family member, broad scope |
| EP2005076876 |
Europe |
2005 |
Kinase inhibitors |
Granted 2007 |
Parallel protection |
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Patent 7,351,414 protects a broad class of heterocyclic kinase inhibitors aimed at proliferative diseases.
- The claims cover compounds, methods of synthesis, and therapeutic uses, with scope constrained by the specific structural features.
- The patent belongs to a landscape of overlapping patents targeting similar kinase scaffolds, with active activity from major pharmaceutical players.
- The patent is set to expire in 2028, but ongoing patent filings could influence freedom-to-operate.
- Patent activity emphasizes the importance of structural modifications and specific kinase selectivity in subsequent filings.
FAQs
What types of compounds are claimed in U.S. Patent 7,351,414?
The patent claims heterocyclic compounds with substitutions at specific positions, designed as kinase inhibitors targeting receptors like VEGFR and PDGFR.
Are the claims limited to specific diseases?
Claims broadly cover the use of the compounds for inhibiting kinases involved in proliferative diseases, including various cancers.
How does the patent landscape affect freedom to operate?
The landscape includes multiple patents covering similar heterocyclic kinase inhibitors, requiring careful legal assessment for new compounds targeting the same kinases.
Can derivatives of the patented compounds avoid infringement?
Potentially, if they fall outside the patent's structural scope, especially if they modify core heterocyclic features or introduce non-claimed substitutions.
When does the patent expire, and what does that mean for competition?
Expiration is scheduled for May 13, 2028. Post-expiration, the patent no longer restricts related compounds, opening opportunities for generics or biosimilars.
References
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2008). U.S. Patent No. 7,351,414.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2006). International Patent Application WO2006075832.
- European Patent Office. (2007). European Patent EP2005076876.
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