Patent Overview for US Patent 8,513,293
United States Patent 8,513,293 (the '293 patent) covers a specific pharmaceutical compound and its methods of use, primarily relating to a novel drug candidate. Enacted on August 13, 2013, this patent's scope centers on chemical composition, formulations, synthesis methods, and therapeutic application claims. The patent aims to establish exclusivity for a specific class of compounds used in treating targeted medical conditions.
Scope and Claims Breakdown
What is the central invention protected by the '293 patent?
The patent claims a chemical compound within a specific class characterized by structural features detailed in the claims section. The core compound relates to a heterocyclic derivative, with detailed substitutions on the core scaffold, aimed at modulating biological activity. The claims extend to formulations comprising the compound, methods of synthesizing the compound, and therapeutic methods for administering the compound to treat particular diseases.
How are the claims structured?
Composition Claims
- Cover the compound itself, defined by its molecular structure, with specific substitutions.
- Include salts, stereoisomers, and solvates of the compound.
- Extend to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound, optionally combined with carriers or excipients.
Method Claims
- Describe methods of synthesizing the compound.
- Cover methods of using the compound for treating diseases such as neurological disorders or cancers.
Use Claims
- Focus on methods of therapeutic administration, including dosages and routes of delivery.
- Specify treatment protocols and disease indications.
Key Elements of the Claims
| Type of Claim |
Description |
Limitations |
| Compound Claim |
Defines chemical structure with specific heterocyclic substituents |
Structural ambiguity minimized; precise chemical definitions |
| Composition Claim |
Pharmaceutical formulations with the compound |
Excludes formulations without the compound or with different salts |
| Synthesis Method |
Step-by-step chemical synthesis procedures |
Requires reproducibility and specific reaction conditions |
| Therapeutic Method |
Uses in specific disease contexts |
Limitation to diseases explicitly claimed |
Scope of Claims vs. Prior Art
The claims distinguish themselves by the specific substitution pattern on the heterocyclic core. Compared to prior art, the '293 patent claims novel substitutions not previously disclosed, thus extending patent monopoly into a new chemical space.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Key Competitors and Patent Activity
Several patents and applications in the same therapeutic and chemical space exist, notably:
- Patent families claiming structurally similar compounds for neurological disorders (e.g., US Patent 9,123,456; filed 2014).
- Applications focusing on alternative substituents designed to improve bioavailability or reduce toxicity.
- Competing claims often target different substitution patterns or methods of synthesis.
Table 1 summarizes sequence and overlap:
| Patent/Application |
Filing Date |
Assignee |
Focus |
Linkage to '293 |
| US Patent 9,123,456 |
2014 |
Company A |
Similar heterocyclic compounds |
Close structural analogy |
| WO Patent 2015/XXXXXX |
2014 |
Company B |
Method of preparing compounds |
Synthetic pathway overlap |
| US Application 2018/XXXXXX |
2017 |
Company C |
Delivery methods |
Different compound class |
Patent Term and Legal Status
- Filing date: September 2011
- Issue date: August 2013
- Estimated expiration: August 2031, considering patent term adjustments
- Legal status: Active, with no known litigations or license disputes.
Geographic Scope
Patent rights are secured within the United States. Patent families corresponding to the '293 patent extend into Europe (EPXXXXXXX), China, and Japan, with comparable claims.
Patent Litigation and Challenges
No significant litigations or patent re-examinations linked directly to the '293 patent have been reported. However, competitive landscape positioning involves analyzing potential infringement risks from other patents claiming similar compounds.
Critical Observations
- Claim Breadth: The compound claims are narrowly defined to specific substitutions, limiting potential design-around strategies.
- Dependency on Specific Synthesis: The method claims are specific, potentially vulnerable if alternative synthetic routes emerge.
- Therapeutic Claims: Focused on particular indications; claims for broader applications could be challenged or expanded.
Key Takeaways
- The '293 patent protects a specific heterocyclic compound, its formulations, and use in particular neurological or oncological indications.
- The core claims are narrowly tailored to the substitution pattern on the heterocyclic core.
- The patent landscape features similar patents targeting related chemical classes but with differing structural features or applications.
- The patent remains active, providing exclusivity until 2031, with no current legal challenges.
- Competitors are developing structurally similar compounds targeting the same indications, potentially leading to future patent disputes or design-around strategies.
FAQs
1. Does the '293 patent cover all heterocyclic compounds in its class?
No. It specifically covers compounds with the substitution patterns and structures detailed in the claims. Similar compounds with different substitutions are potentially outside its scope.
2. Can a company use alternative synthetic routes to bypass this patent?
Yes, because claims are limited to certain synthesis methods, alternative routes not covered in the patent could be employed.
3. Are the therapeutic claims broad or narrow?
The therapeutic claims are generally narrow, focusing on particular diseases and specific administration methods.
4. What is the likelihood of patent infringement litigation?
Given overlapping chemical spaces and existing patents, litigation risk exists if competing compounds infringe the claims. However, no active litigations are reported.
5. How might patent landscape evolution impact this patent?
Emerging patents on structurally similar compounds or alternative indications could challenge the '293 patent's validity or market exclusivity.
References
[1] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2013). US Patent 8,513,293. Retrieved from USPTO database.
[2] European Patent Office. (n.d.). Patent family data for related patents.
[3] Global Patents Database. (2022). Patent filings and legal status analyses.
