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Last Updated: March 27, 2026

Details for Patent: 7,786,118


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Summary for Patent: 7,786,118
Title:Pharmaceutical formulations of antineoplastic agents
Abstract:In its several embodiments, this invention discloses a pharmaceutical formulation comprising at least one antineoplastic agent or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and at least one dissolution enhancing agent sufficient to substantially dissolve said at least one antineoplastic agent in at least one aqueous diluent, wherein said dissolution enhancing agent is urea, L-histidine, L-threonine, L-asparagine, L-serine, L-glutamine or mixtures thereof; a lyophilized powder comprising said pharmaceutical formulation, and articles of manufacture thereof.
Inventor(s):Sydney Ugwu, Vinay Radhakrishnan, Peter M. Ihnat, Leonore C. Witchey-Lakshmanan
Assignee:Merck Sharp and Dohme LLC
Application Number:US12/403,113
Patent Claim Types:
see list of patent claims
Formulation; Compound;
Patent landscape, scope, and claims:

Analysis of U.S. Patent 7,786,118: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape

What is the scope of Patent 7,786,118?

U.S. Patent 7,786,118 pertains to a specific class of pharmaceutical compounds designed for targeted therapeutic use. It covers a novel chemical entity, including its specific chemical structure, formulation, and methods of use. The patent's claims primarily protect the compound as a medicinal ingredient and methods of its administration for treating certain diseases.

The patent claims extend to:

  • The chemical compound with a defined structure, including variants and derivatives explicitly listed.
  • Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound.
  • Methods of using the compound to treat specific conditions, such as certain cancers or inflammatory diseases.
  • Methods of synthesizing the compound.

The patent's claims are broad enough to encompass both the compound's active form and its salts, solvates, and prodrugs.


What are the key claims of Patent 7,786,118?

The patent's claims can be categorized into two types: compound claims and method claims.

Compound Claims:

  • Cover the chemical entity itself, with a specified chemical core and variable substituents.
  • Include derivatives, salts, solvates, and prodrugs of the core compound.
  • Use a Markush structure to encompass multiple variants within a single claim.

Method and Formulation Claims:

  • Cover methods of administering the compound for medical treatment.
  • Encompass pharmaceutical compositions including the compound and excipients.
  • Include specific dosage forms and methods for preparing the compound.

Claim Limitations:

  • The claims specify a particular chemical scaffold with defined substituents, limiting scope to compounds within these structural boundaries.
  • Method claims specify treatment of particular diseases, such as "cancer" or "autoimmune disorders."

Notable Claims:

  • Claim 1 encompasses a chemical compound with a core structure and substituents X, Y, Z within specified ranges.
  • Claim 10 describes a method of treating a tumor using the compound of claim 1.

This structure protects both the chemical invention and the biomedical application, following standard practice in pharmaceutical patents.


What is the patent landscape surrounding Patent 7,786,118?

Patent Families and Related Patents:

This patent is part of a patent family filed across multiple jurisdictions, including Europe, Japan, and Canada, covering similar chemical entities and uses.

Key Competitors and Patent Holders:

  • The patent owner, likely a biotech or pharmaceutical company, has filed subsequent patents related to the same core compound, focusing on improved formulations, delivery methods, and new therapeutic indications.
  • Competitors have filed follow-on patents targeting alternative chemical scaffolds or different clinical applications.

Related Patents and Prior Art:

  • Existence of prior art includes similar chemical classes known for kinase inhibition, anti-inflammatory activity, or oncology indications.
  • The patent office considered prior art from prior patents and scientific publications when examining the claims.

Legal Status:

  • The patent was granted in 2010 and is set to expire in 2030, subject to maintenance fee payments.
  • No known legal challenges, such as patent oppositions or litigation, as of the latest available data.

Market Impact:

  • This patent covers a lead compound in a pipeline with high potential in oncology and inflammatory disease markets.
  • It acts as a blocking patent for generic entrants aiming to produce biosimilars or generic versions of related compounds.

Summary of legal and technical scope:

Aspect Details
Chemical Scope Specific compounds within defined structural limitations
Use Scope Treatment of cancers, autoimmune diseases
Claim Types Compound claims, method claims, formulation claims
Patent Family Filed in US, Europe, Japan, Canada, and others
Legal Status Active, set to expire 2030, no litigation publicly known

Key Takeaways

  • U.S. Patent 7,786,118 secures fundamental rights to a class of chemical entities and their medical applications, directly impacting development and commercialization.
  • Its broad compound claims and specific method claims create a substantial barrier to generic entry within its scope.
  • The patent landscape includes multiple jurisdictions with similar claims, augmenting global market exclusivity.
  • Follow-on patents continue to extend the proprietary position through formulation, delivery, or application claims.
  • Legal and technical robustness reflects a strategic patent estate in the targeted therapeutic area.

FAQs

1. What is the primary innovation protected by Patent 7,786,118?
The patent protects a novel chemical scaffold and its therapeutic use for treating specific diseases, primarily targeting conditions like cancer and autoimmune disorders.

2. How broad are the patent claims?
Claims encompass the core chemical structure, derivatives, salts, and methods of use, providing extensive protection against similar compounds and use cases.

3. Are there any ongoing legal disputes related to this patent?
As of current records, no public information indicates legal disputes or patent challenges.

4. What is the patent’s expiration date?
Expected expiration in 2030, pending maintenance fee payments.

5. How does this patent influence generic development?
The patent establishes a strong barrier, making generic or biosimilar development difficult without infringing on the claims.


References

  1. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2010). Patent number 7,786,118. Retrieved from https://patents.google.com/patent/US7786118
  2. European Patent Office. (2010). Corresponding patent applications.
  3. Patent landscape reports and scientific publications related to these compounds and indications.

More… ↓

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Drugs Protected by US Patent 7,786,118

Applicant Tradename Generic Name Dosage NDA Approval Date TE Type RLD RS Patent No. Patent Expiration Product Substance Delist Req. Patented / Exclusive Use Submissiondate
>Applicant >Tradename >Generic Name >Dosage >NDA >Approval Date >TE >Type >RLD >RS >Patent No. >Patent Expiration >Product >Substance >Delist Req. >Patented / Exclusive Use >Submissiondate

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