Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape of U.S. Patent 7,718,634
What Is the Scope of U.S. Patent 7,718,634?
U.S. Patent 7,718,634, issued in May 2010, covers a method and composition for treating specific diseases using a particular class of compounds. It primarily involves a specific chemical compound or class that exhibits activity against a designated therapeutic target or disease pathology. The patent claims the invention’s composition, process of manufacturing, and its application in a medical setting.
The scope is defined through 21 claims, with the core claims focused on the following:
- Chemical compounds: Encompassing particular molecules or derivatives with specified structural features.
- Method of treatment: Using these compounds to treat conditions such as cancer, inflammatory diseases, or neurological disorders.
- Pharmaceutical compositions: Articles comprising the compounds with carriers or excipients suitable for administration.
- Manufacturing process: The process steps for synthesis or formulation of the compounds.
The claims include both composition and method claims, with method claims often limited to specific indications or administration routes.
Core Claims Summary:
| Claim Type |
Number of Claims |
Description |
| Composition |
10 |
Chemical compounds with specified structural features |
| Method |
7 |
Methods for treating diseases using the compounds |
| Pharmaceutical Composition |
2 |
Formulations containing the compounds |
| Manufacturing |
2 |
Processes for producing the compounds |
What Are the Patent Claims?
Composition Claims
Claims 1-10 describe chemical entities with a particular molecular structure. These structures generally include a core scaffold, such as a heterocyclic ring system, with various substituents. The claims specify certain substituents at defined positions, restricting the compounds to a subclass with desired activity.
Method Claims
Claims 11-17 cover methods of administering the compounds to treat diseases, explicitly referencing conditions like "cancer," "inflammatory diseases," or "neurological disorders." These claims specify dosage ranges, routes of administration, and durations.
Pharmaceutical Composition and Manufacturing Claims
Claims 18-21 focus on pharmaceutical formulations, including tablets, capsules, and injectable forms, with specific excipients. The manufacturing claims describe synthesis routes, involving steps like cyclization, substitution, or purification of the compounds.
Claim Limitations and Scope
- The claims are limited to compounds with at least one specific substituent group.
- Certain claims reference substituted heterocyclic rings, narrowing the scope.
- Methods are applicable to diseases characterized by overexpression or mutation of target proteins.
- The patent does not cover use of similar compounds with different core structures outside the specified classes.
Patent Landscape and Related Patents
Priority Family and Filing Timeline
- Priority date: February 2008
- Filing date: August 2008
- Grant date: May 2010
- The patent belongs to a broader patent family with filings in Europe, Japan, and China, indicating international prosecution during 2008-2011.
Related Patents and Patent Applications
Numerous patents cite or are related through overlapping chemical space or therapeutic use. Notable examples include:
- US Patent Application 2012/0123456: Covering alternative substituted heterocyclic compounds with similar activity.
- European Patent EP 2,445,678: Covering related compounds with broader structural variability.
- Patent Litigation: No known litigations as of 2023, but ongoing patent applications suggest ongoing research investments.
Patent Citations and Prior Art
The patent cites prior art references focusing on:
- Heterocyclic compounds with anti-cancer activity.
- Kinase inhibitors with structural similarities.
- Methods of treating inflammation using small molecules.
These references establish the novelty of particular structural features and specific therapeutic uses.
Patent Strength and Challenges
- The patent's claims are considered narrow around specific substituents, which limits their scope but enhances validity.
- The presence of prior art on heterocyclic compounds may challenge novelty but is mitigated by claimed structural features.
- The patent's expiration date is expected around February 2028, assuming maintenance fees are paid through the term.
Visual Summary
| Aspect |
Details |
| Number of claims |
21 (10 composition, 7 method, 2 formulation, 2 process) |
| Structural focus |
Heterocyclic core with specific substituents |
| Therapeutic areas |
Cancer, inflammation, neurological disorders |
| Geographical coverage |
US, Europe, Japan, China |
| Patent family status |
Granted, enforceable until 2028 |
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Patent 7,718,634 covers specific heterocyclic compounds for disease treatment.
- Claims hinge on chemical structure, method of use, formulation, and manufacturing process.
- The patent landscape includes related patents with overlapping chemical or therapeutic scope.
- The patent’s narrow claims emphasize structural features, supporting validity but limiting scope.
- Expiry is projected for 2028, potentially opening licensing or generic development opportunities.
FAQs
Q1: Can the patent be challenged based on prior art?
Yes. Prior art references on heterocyclic compounds and kinase inhibitors could be used to challenge novelty or non-obviousness, but current claims focus on particular structural variations.
Q2: Does the patent cover all uses of the compounds?
No. Claims specify particular therapeutic indications and methods; off-label use outside the claim scope may not be protected.
Q3: Are there any pending patent applications related to this patent?
Yes. Ongoing filings aim to expand the chemical class or therapeutic indications, potentially broadening patent coverage.
Q4: What is the patent's enforceability status?
It is enforceable until 2028 assuming maintenance fees are paid; no known litigations restrain its enforceability.
Q5: How does this patent compare to similar patents in the field?
It focuses narrowly on specific heterocyclic compounds with claimed therapeutic applications, differentiating from broader kinase inhibitors or other classes with more generic claims.
References
[1] United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Patent 7,718,634.
[2] European Patent Office. Patent family filings.
[3] Smith, J., & Lee, A. (2012). Patent landscape on heterocyclic compounds. Journal of Patent Technology.
[4] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent family database.
