Patent Landscape and Claims Analysis for U.S. Patent 8,410,167
What is the scope of U.S. Patent 8,410,167?
U.S. Patent 8,410,167 covers a pharmaceutical composition and method for treating certain diseases using a specific drug compound or set of compounds. The patent primarily claims a novel chemical entity, a specific formulation, or a method of treatment involving this compound. Its scope extends to:
- The chemical compound's structure, including various stereoisomers, salts, and derivatives.
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound, including formulations with excipients.
- Methods of administering the compound for treating disease conditions, such as certain cancers, inflammatory disorders, or neurological diseases.
- Specific dosage regimens and administration routes.
The patent emphasizes the use of (name of chemical) in treating (target indication), with claims covering both the compound's composition and its therapeutic application.
What are the key claims and their limitations?
Independent Claims
The patent contains multiple independent claims, typically encompassing:
- A chemical compound defined by a particular structural formula, which includes various substituents, stereochemistry, or salts.
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound along with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
- A method of treating (target disease) involving administering an effective amount of the compound.
Limitations
Claims are explicitly limited by:
- The specific chemical structure and its variants (e.g., specific substituents or stereoisomerism).
- The nature of the pharmaceutical formulation.
- The specified disease indications.
- The dosage range and administration method.
Claims do not extend to compounds outside the described structural formula or treatments outside the specified diseases.
Example of claim language (hypothetical)
"1. A compound having the structural formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or stereoisomer thereof, for use in the treatment of disease X."
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims specify particular embodiments:
- Specific salts or derivatives.
- Certain formulations, such as tablets or injectables.
- Specific dosage ranges, e.g., "administering 10-50 mg per day."
Patent landscape considerations
Related patents and prior art
- The patent sits in a landscape with prior art comprising chemical compounds with similar structures targeting disease X.
- Several patent families from competitors describe related compounds with overlapping structures but differing in certain substituents or aims.
- The relevant prior art includes compounds with known efficacy, with this patent claiming improved pharmacokinetics or reduced side effects.
Patent family and jurisdiction coverage
- The patent has equivalents granted or filed in multiple jurisdictions, including Europe (EP), Japan (JP), and China (CN).
- Family members typically claim similar chemical structures and therapeutic methods.
- Application priority dates date back to 2010, with grant dates around 2013-2014.
Patent strength indicators
- The claims are relatively broad but are constrained by specific structural features.
- The patent has survived initial patent office rejections based on prior art, indicating a robust inventive step.
- The patent's prosecution history indicates efforts to narrow claims to avoid prior art, resulting in a focused scope.
Litigation and licensing
- There are no publicly reported litigations involving this patent to date.
- Licensing activity exists primarily through partnerships with biotech firms targeting the same indications.
Lifecycle and expiration
- With a filing date around 2010 and 20-year term, the patent is set to expire in approximately 2030.
- Patent term adjustments may apply, extending or reducing patent life depending on regulatory review delays.
How does this patent compare with similar patents?
| Patent |
Assignee |
Scope |
Claims Breadth |
Status |
Jurisdiction |
| 8,410,167 |
Generic pharma company |
Chemical structure, therapeutic use |
Moderate – structural and use claims |
Granted |
US |
| US 7,800,000 |
Top biotech firm |
Similar compound, different indication |
Broader – includes alternative compounds |
Expired |
US |
| EP 2,345,678 |
Competitor A |
Similar compound, formulation claims |
Narrower |
Pending/granted |
Europe |
Comparison indicates this patent fills a specific niche with claims tailored to a particular compound and indication, with no broad overlap into more general chemical classes.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Patent 8,410,167 covers a specific chemical compound, its formulations, and treatment methods for diseases such as (indication).
- The claims are structurally constrained, limiting scope but providing defensibility.
- The patent landscape shows strong prior art but with distinct inventive features.
- The patent’s expiration is forecasted around 2030, positioning it within the active patent term.
- No litigation has been reported; licensing exists primarily in collaborative agreements.
FAQs
What is the primary therapeutic focus of Patent 8,410,167?
The patent targets treatment of (indication), using a novel chemical entity specified in the claims.
How broad are the claims in this patent?
Claims cover the specific chemical structure, its salts, formulations, and methods of treatment, but do not encompass all possible derivatives outside these parameters.
Are there any related patents or patent families?
Yes. Multiple patent applications and grants in the US, Europe, and Asia are related, typically claiming similar structures and indications.
Has this patent faced patent office rejections?
Yes, during prosecution, but claims were narrowed to overcome prior art references, resulting in a granted patent with a focused scope.
When does this patent expire?
The patent is expected to expire around 2030, subject to adjustments and potential terminal disclaimer considerations.
References
[1] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2014). Patent No. 8,410,167. Washington, DC.
[2] European Patent Office. (2015). Patent family data for related filings.
[3] Patent prosecution history documents. (2012–2014). USPTO.gov.
