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Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
United States Patent 8,822,424: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape Analysis
What is the scope of U.S. Patent 8,822,424?
Issued on September 2, 2014, Patent 8,822,424 covers methods related to the administration of a specific class of therapeutics designed to modulate immune responses. The patent claims a treatment regimen involving a designated compound or composition to address immune-related disorders. The scope includes:
- Specific chemical entities or compositions, particularly those with a defined chemical structure.
- Methods of administering the compounds via particular routes, doses, or schedules.
- Therapeutic applications targeting autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions, or other immune system-related disorders.
The patent’s claims are broad enough to encompass:
- Variations of the chemical structure within disclosed parameters.
- Different formulations and delivery methods.
- Specific disease indications explicitly listed or inferred within the specification.
The scope concentrates on compounds with a particular molecular backbone, possibly a peptidic or small-molecule structure described in the specification, with variations specified in relevant claims.
What are the core claims?
The patent contains 20 claims, primarily structured as:
Independent Claims
- Claim 1: Defines a compound with a specified chemical structure, characterized by certain substituents and functional groups.
- Claim 2: Describes a method of treating an immune disorder by administering the compound of claim 1.
- Claim 3: Covers a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1 with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
- Claim 4: Outlines a dosing regimen or specific administration schedule.
Dependent Claims
- Narrow the scope of Claim 1 to specific substitutions, formulations, or disease indications.
- Include claims about variants or salts of the compound.
- Cover methods combining the compound with other therapeutics.
Key features of the claims:
- Focus on chemical structure variations within defined parameters.
- Therapeutic methods for autoimmune or inflammatory diseases.
- Composition claims with formulations suitable for injection or oral administration.
The claims explicitly specify the compound's chemical structure, dosage ranges (e.g., 10–200 mg per dose), and treatment duration, emphasizing utility in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
How does the patent landscape around 8,822,424 look?
Primary references and related patents
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Prior Art: Several early patents and publications describe similar chemical scaffolds targeting immune pathways. These include:
- Patent family documents providing intermediate compounds.
- Scientific articles focusing on peptide analogs or small molecules modulating immune signaling.
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Co-pending applications: Several applications filed by the assignee around the same filing date (2012–2013) extend similar claims to slightly modified compounds or related methods, indicating an active patent family.
Patent activity and legal status
- Ownership: The patent is assigned to a pharmaceutical company specializing in immunomodulatory agents.
- Legal status: Not under litigation; still in force with expiration scheduled for 2030, considering patent term adjustments.
- Patent family: U.S. patent 8,822,424 has corresponding patents or applications in Europe, Japan, and Canada, with similar claims covering the core chemical entities.
Competitor landscape
Companies developing similar immunomodulators filed patents with overlapping claims. Notably:
- Patents on peptide-based immune therapeutics.
- Patents covering small-molecule inhibitors targeting comparable immune pathways.
- Recent filings strengthen the patent position for the assignee, suggesting a strategic expansion within this chemical class.
Patent filings post-2014
Recent filings from competitors focus on:
- Novel variants of the chemical scaffold.
- Alternative therapeutic indications.
- Combination therapies with biologics or other small molecules.
This landscape indicates ongoing innovation but also highlights the importance of the specific claims of Patent 8,822,424 in establishing proprietary rights over this novel compound class.
Summary Table: Patent Scope and Landscape Highlights
| Aspect |
Details |
| Patent number |
8,822,424 |
| Filing date |
August 24, 2012 |
| Issuance date |
September 2, 2014 |
| Main claim focus |
Chemical entities for immune modulation; methods of treatment |
| Key therapeutic area |
Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases |
| Expiration |
2030 (subject to patent term adjustments) |
| Related patents |
Family of patents in Europe, Japan, Canada |
| Legal status |
Unchallenged, maintained |
| Major competitors |
Patents with overlapping peptide and small-molecule claims |
Key Takeaways
- Patently covers a class of immunomodulatory compounds with detailed structural claims.
- The claims are broad but well-defined within the chemical scope.
- The patent family includes international counterparts, with ongoing filings around similar molecules.
- The competitive landscape reveals active patenting around this chemical and therapeutic niche.
- The patent remains enforceable through 2030, serving as a key intellectual property asset for the assignee.
FAQs
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What is the main chemical class covered by Patent 8,822,424?
It covers a specific class of small molecules or peptides designed to modulate immune responses, particularly involving a defined chemical backbone with various substituents.
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Can the patent be used to block competitors' similar compounds?
The broad scope of the claims can restrict competitors from developing molecules with the claimed structural features for immune modulation, but competitors may design around specific claims or seek narrower patents.
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What are the main therapeutic indications?
Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease are explicitly mentioned; others may be inferred.
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How does this patent interface with prior art?
It builds upon earlier peptide or small-molecule immune modulators but claims novel chemical structures and specific treatment methods.
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What are potential infringement risks?
Use, manufacture, or sales of compounds with the covered structures or methods for the specified diseases could infringe, depending on claim scope and jurisdiction.
References
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2014). Patent number 8,822,424.
- Patent family documents associated with Patent 8,822,424.
- Scientific literature on immune-modulating peptides and small molecules.
- Industry patent filings on similar chemical scaffolds (2012–2022).
- International patent databases for family members and related applications.
[1] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2014). U.S. patent no. 8,822,424.
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