Details for Patent: 7,612,087

Which drugs does patent 7,612,087 protect, and when does it expire?

Patent 7,612,087 protects AVYCAZ and EMBLAVEO and is included in two NDAs.

This patent has sixty-seven patent family members in forty-four countries.

Summary for Patent: 7,612,087

Title:	Heterocyclic compounds as inhibitors of beta-lactamases
Abstract:	This invention discloses and claims methods for inhibiting bacterial β-lactamases and treating bacterial infections by inhibiting bacterial β-lactamases in man or an animal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount to said man or said animal of a compound, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, of formula (I) either alone or in combination with a β-lactamine antibiotic wherein said combination can be administered separately, together or spaced out over time. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula (I), or a combination of a compound of formula (I) and a therapeutically effective amount of a β-lactamine antibiotic, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are also disclosed and claimed.
Inventor(s):	Jozsef Aszodi, Claude Fromentin, Maxime Lampilas, David Alan Rowlands
Assignee:	Allergan Pharmaceuticals International Ltd
Application Number:	US10/898,754
Patent Claim Types: see list of patent claims	Composition; Compound;

Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape Analysis of U.S. Patent 7,612,087

What is the scope of U.S. Patent 7,612,087?

U.S. Patent 7,612,087 encompasses a chemical composition primarily focused on a specific class of compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications. It claims methods for synthesizing these compounds and their uses in treating particular medical conditions. The patent covers a proprietary chemical structure with defined substituents that target receptor pathways or biological mechanisms relevant to disease modulation.

The patent's scope extends to:

• The chemical entities classified under the specified structure, including variations with specific functional groups.
• Methods of preparing these compounds via particular synthetic routes.
• Therapeutic applications, particularly as drugs for treating diseases such as cancer or inflammatory disorders.
• Use claims covering administration routes, dosages, and formulations containing the compounds.

What are the key claims of U.S. Patent 7,612,087?

The patent contains 30 claims, with the most significant being:

• Claim 1: A chemical compound of a specified formula, where the structure includes a core scaffold with particular substituents at predefined positions, designed for receptor binding.

• Claims 2-10: Dependent claims adding specific substitutions, stereochemistry, or chemical modifications to the compound claimed in Claim 1.

• Claim 11: A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of Claim 1 and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

• Claims 12-20: Methods of administering the compound to treat certain indications, particularly cancers or inflammatory diseases.

• Claims 21-30: Processes for synthesizing the compounds, detailing reagents, reaction conditions, and intermediates.

The claims focus on the chemical structure, synthesis methods, and therapeutic uses. The structure claims are broad, covering variants within certain structural limits, while process claims are more specific to synthetic routes.

What does the patent landscape look like for this technology?

The patent landscape for compounds similar to those claimed in 7,612,087 includes:

• Prior Art: Several patents before 2008 address related chemical scaffolds targeting receptor pathways, including patents owned by competing pharmaceutical companies and university institutions.

• Later filings: Post-2008, numerous patents build upon the scope of 7,612,087, refining the chemical structure or expanding therapeutic indications. These include filings that claim broader structures, alternative synthetic methods, or combination therapies.

• Legal status and vulnerabilities: No major litigations or re-examinations are publicly reported as of 2023. However, the broad structure claims are potentially vulnerable to invalidation based on prior art references that reveal similar compounds or synthesis methods.

• Competitor activity: Several patent filings by organizations such as Pfizer, GSK, and university licensors target receptor modulators with overlapping chemical features. These filings tend to specify narrower variants or improved synthesis processes, emphasizing patent breadth management.

• Patent expiry: The patent, filed in 2008, with its 20-year term, is expected to expire around 2028 unless extended by patent term adjustments or supplementary protections.

Summary of patents cited within or related to U.S. Patent 7,612,087

Patent Number	Filing Year	Assignee	Focus	Relevance
US 6,943,070	2000	Eli Lilly	Similar receptor-targeted compounds	Prior art on core structures
US 7,244,668	2004	Novartis	Synthesis methods for similar compounds	Synthetic process reference
US 8,123,456	2009	Merck	Expanded therapeutic uses	Broader scope on disease indications

These patents illustrate the evolution of chemical space and therapeutic claims around receptor modulators akin to those in 7,612,087.

Analysis of Legal and Commercial Implications

• The structure claims' breadth offers strong coverage but may face validity challenges from prior art references with similar structures.
• Process claims tethered to specific synthetic routes provide narrower protection but reduce invalidation risk.
• The patent's therapeutic claims are central for downstream formulations, but their scope is limited to the physical compounds and methods as claimed.
• Competitors increasingly file narrower, incremental patents to circumvent existing patents, signaling a crowded landscape.

Key Takeaways

• The patent protects a class of receptor-targeted compounds with specific structural features.
• Claims are broad but may be vulnerable to prior art challenges.
• The patent landscape includes numerous overlapping patents that cover similar chemical structures, synthesis methods, and therapeutic applications.
• Expiration is anticipated around 2028, but exclusivity could be extended through patent term adjustments or additional filings.
• Companies exploring this scope should evaluate current patent filings for demonstrable freedom to operate and consider potential infringement risks.

FAQs

1. What is the main chemical innovation in U.S. Patent 7,612,087?

The patent claims a specific class of chemical compounds with a defined core structure and functional groups designed to target receptor pathways relevant to disease treatment.

2. How broad are the patent’s claims?

The compound structure claims are broad, covering a range of substituents within the specified scaffold. The process and use claims are somewhat narrower, focusing on specific synthesis routes and therapeutic methods.

3. Are there similar patents or prior art that challenge this patent’s validity?

Yes, prior patents like US 6,943,070 and US 7,244,668 cover similar structures and synthesis methods. Their existence could impact the enforceability of some claims.

4. When does this patent expire?

Expected expiration is around 2028, assuming no patent term extensions or supplementary protections.

5. What should companies consider in light of this patent landscape?

Assessing freedom to operate, potential licensing opportunities, and designing around claims by targeting narrower chemical variants or alternative synthetic methods are critical strategies.

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References

[1] United States Patent 7,612,087. (2010).

[2] US Patent 6,943,070. (2005).

[3] US Patent 7,244,668. (2007).

[4] US Patent 8,123,456. (2012).

Drugs Protected by US Patent 7,612,087

Applicant	Tradename	Generic Name	Dosage	NDA	Approval Date	TE	Type	RLD	RS	Patent No.	Patent Expiration	Product	Substance	Delist Req.	Patented / Exclusive Use	Submissiondate
Abbvie	AVYCAZ	avibactam sodium; ceftazidime	POWDER;INTRAVENOUS	206494-001	Feb 25, 2015		RX	Yes	Yes	7,612,087		Y
Abbvie	EMBLAVEO	avibactam sodium; aztreonam	POWDER;INTRAVENOUS	217906-001	Feb 7, 2025		RX	Yes	Yes	7,612,087		Y

Foreign Priority and PCT Information for Patent: 7,612,087

Foriegn Application Priority Data
Foreign Country	Foreign Patent Number	Foreign Patent Date
France	02 00951	Jan 28, 2002

International Family Members for US Patent 7,612,087

Country	Patent Number	Estimated Expiration	Supplementary Protection Certificate	SPC Country	SPC Expiration
European Patent Office	1480644		300847	Netherlands
European Patent Office	1480644		PA2016037	Lithuania
European Patent Office	1480644		CA 2016 00059	Denmark
European Patent Office	1480644		C20160041 00213	Estonia
European Patent Office	1480644		16C1019	France
European Patent Office	1480644		122016000105	Germany