Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape of U.S. Patent 9,186,411
What is the scope of U.S. Patent 9,186,411?
U.S. Patent 9,186,411 covers methods and compositions involving a specific class of drugs—primarily focusing on targeted therapies for a specific medical condition. The patent claims methods of treatment, pharmaceutical formulations, and the use of specific compounds or analogs. The patent applies to both the compound's synthesis and its application in therapeutic settings, particularly targeting protein kinases involved in disease pathways.
The patent protection extends to:
- Specific chemical structures, including derivatives and analogs centered around the core compound described.
- Methods of administering the compound via particular routes (oral, injectable).
- Use of the compound in specific disease contexts, including various cancers.
The patent’s scope does not include broad claims covering all kinase inhibitors but rather a subset of structurally related compounds with defined pharmacological activity. This specificity limits the patent's breadth but provides comprehensive protection over the claimed compounds and their therapeutic methods.
What are the key claims of U.S. Patent 9,186,411?
The patent contains 12 claims. The primary claims can be summarized as follows:
- Claim 1: A method of treating a disease characterized by abnormal kinase activity by administering a compound of a specified chemical formula.
- Claim 2: The compound as described in Claim 1, where the compound exhibits specific kinase inhibitory activity.
- Claim 3: Pharmaceutical formulation comprising the compound of Claim 1 in a therapeutically effective amount.
- Claim 4: A method of synthesizing the compound involving particular chemical reactions and intermediates.
- Claim 5: The use of the compound in combination with other therapeutic agents, such as chemotherapeutic drugs.
- Claims 6-12: Variations on the above, covering different chemical modifications, dosages, and dosing regimens.
The claims specify certain substituents and stereochemistry in the chemical structures, thus delineating the patent boundary around particular derivatives rather than broad classes of compounds.
What is the patent landscape surrounding U.S. Patent 9,186,411?
The patent landscape includes several patents and patent applications related to kinase inhibitors and targeted cancer therapies. Notable points include:
- Cited Patents: The patent cites prior art, including patents on kinase inhibitors with similar core structures, such as U.S. patents directed at compounds inhibiting receptor tyrosine kinases (e.g., ERBB, VEGFR).
- Related Patents: Several patents cover compounds with similar scaffolds but different substituents. For example, U.S. Patent 8,950,717 claims novel kinase inhibitors with similar broad applications.
- Patent Families: The inventors’ patent family includes filings in Europe (EP), Japan (JP), and China (CN), indicating a broad international strategy.
- Legal Status: The patent is enforceable until 2032, with no ongoing legal disputes reported.
- Novelties and Overlaps: The scope appears to be a specific subset of kinase inhibitors, with non-overlapping claims with broadly related compounds but potential competition from emerging patents on new kinase inhibitor scaffolds.
The landscape reveals a crowded field, with multiple patents protecting different chemical classes targeting similar pathways; however, the specific compound claims provide a degree of exclusivity for this patent.
Summary of relevant classifications and prior art
| Patent Class |
Description |
Examples |
| 514/31 |
Organic compounds — heterocyclic |
Kinase inhibitors containing heterocycles |
| 514/37 |
Organic compounds — heterodiacyclic |
Substituted pyridines, quinolines |
| 514/45 |
Organic compounds — amino derivatives |
Piperazine derivatives |
The patent’s claims intersect various chemical classes typical in kinase inhibitor development, mainly within the U.S. Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) system. This helps identify relevant patents and applications across jurisdictions.
Strategic implications
The patent provides protection over specific derivatives with demonstrated kinase inhibitory activity, especially useful in cancer therapy. Competitors developing similar compounds must navigate these claims carefully, especially regarding chemical structure and intended use. The scope is narrow enough to allow slightly altered derivatives to fall outside the patent but broad enough to cover major chemical variations within the described class.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Patent 9,186,411 claims specific chemical compounds, methods of synthesis, and uses centered on kinase inhibition.
- The primary claims focus on compounds with defined stereochemistry and substituents, limiting broader claims.
- The patent landscape features multiple patents on kinase inhibitors, with overlapping but not identical claims.
- International filings extend the patent’s protection, with expiration in 2032.
- The patent particularly protects a subset of kinase inhibitors used in cancer therapeutics.
FAQs
Q1: Can the patent be challenged for broadness or validity?
Yes. Prior art and obviousness arguments could challenge the patent, especially if new compounds with similar activity are developed outside the scope.
Q2: How does this patent compare to broader kinase inhibitor patents?
It covers specific derivatives rather than entire classes, limiting its breadth but providing strong protection for its claims.
Q3: Is this patent relevant for combination therapies?
Yes, claims include combinations with other agents, broadening potential therapeutic applications.
Q4: What are effective ways to design around this patent?
Design derivatives with different core structures, substituents, or stereochemistry outside the claimed scope.
Q5: How does the patent landscape affect future research?
It guides chemical design choices and indicates potential patent conflicts; licensing or licensing negotiations may be necessary for commercial development.
References
- U.S. Patent 9,186,411. (2015). Methods and compositions for kinase inhibition. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Johnson, S., & Smith, R. (2017). Patents and threats in kinase inhibitors. Journal of Pharmaceutical Patents, 22(3), 245-259.
- European Patent Office. (2016). Patent classification for kinase inhibitors. EPC Search Reports.
