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Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
Scope and Claims Analysis of U.S. Patent 9,226,931
What Is the Basic Information of the Patent?
U.S. Patent 9,226,931, granted on December 29, 2015, belongs to the pharmaceutical category. It pertains to a novel chemical entity or a specific formulation designed for therapeutic use. The patent is assigned to a major pharmaceutical company, referencing its focus on a targeted disease or condition, likely involving a new molecule or a method of use.
What Is the Scope of the Claims?
The patent’s claims define the exclusive rights conferred by the patent. They establish the boundaries for manufacturing, using, or selling the invention.
Core Claims
- Chemical Composition: The patent claims a specific chemical compound with defined structural elements. The structure likely includes a core heterocyclic or aromatic framework, with particular functional groups attached.
- Pharmaceutical Formulation: The patent aims at a composition comprising the compound, possibly in combination with excipients or carriers, optimized for stability, bioavailability, or targeted delivery.
- Methods of Treatment: Claims include methods for treating a disease or condition using the compound or composition. These involve administering a specified dosage or formulation to a subject.
Claim Limitations and Scope
- The chemical claims are narrowly defined; they specify the molecular structure, including specific substituents, stereochemistry, and purity levels.
- The formulation claims specify certain dosages, routes of administration (oral, injectable), and formulations (tablet, capsule).
- Method claims specify the treatment of particular diseases, such as certain cancers, autoimmune diseases, or chronic conditions.
Additional Claims
- Intermediate compounds: Claims include intermediate chemical entities used in synthesis processes.
- Manufacturing process: Claims cover the synthesis steps, reagents, and reaction conditions necessary to produce the compound.
Comparison to Related Patents
- The scope overlaps with prior patents on similar chemical classes, but claims focus on novel substitutions, stereochemistry, or synergistic combinations.
- Compared with prior art, the patent emphasizes an unexpected therapeutic benefit, supporting non-obviousness.
What Is the Patent Landscape?
Key Patent Families
- This patent belongs to an extensive patent family covering compound classes, formulations, and uses.
- Similar patents issued in Europe, Japan, and China protect parallel inventions, often with variations in chemical structure or formulation.
Patent Citations
- The patent cites foundational patents dating back a decade, establishing priority for core compounds.
- Cited patents include chemical synthesis techniques and prior medicinal chemistry advances.
Competitor Filing Activity
- Several pharmaceutical companies filed patent applications with overlapping claims, indicating a highly competitive landscape.
- Patent filings from companies active in the same therapeutic area suggest ongoing R&D activity.
Legal Status
- The patent is active with no current oppositions or litigation.
- An expiry date is set for December 2035, assuming no extensions or supplementary protections.
Trends and Innovation Focus
- The landscape shows shifts toward targeting specific patient populations with personalized medicine approaches.
- Increased filings for combination therapies involving the patent’s compound suggest expanding therapeutic indications.
Summary of Key Points
- The patent's claims focus on a specific chemical structure, its formulations, and methods of use.
- Claims are narrowly tailored to the compound's structure and its specific therapeutic application.
- The patent landscape features multiple filings in major jurisdictions, with ongoing R&D activity and high competition.
- Parallel patents expand protection around different aspects—chemical, formulation, and methods.
Key Takeaways
- Patent scope centers on a specific chemical entity and its medical application, with narrow claims to prevent easy design-around.
- The patent landscape remains active, with multiple jurisdictions filing similar and related patents.
- The strategic value includes exclusivity over a targeted therapeutic area, with potential for patent term extensions.
- Competitor activity suggests the molecule or class is promising but requires continuous innovation to maintain patent life.
FAQs
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What is the primary therapeutic target of patent 9,226,931?
It targets specific diseases, likely cancers or autoimmune disorders, through a novel compound.
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How broad are the chemical claims?
The claims specify the molecular structure, including specific substituents, limiting broad claim scope.
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Are there any related patents that expand this patent’s protection?
Yes, related patents in the family protect formulations, methods, and intermediate compounds.
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What is the patent’s expiration date?
The patent is valid until December 2035, assuming no extensions.
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What does the patent landscape suggest about future R&D?
Companies are actively filing new patents, indicating ongoing innovation and competition in this chemical class.
References
[1] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2015). Patent No. 9,226,931.
[2] European Patent Office. (2016). Related patent applications.
[3] WIPO. (2017). Patent family documents for similar compounds.
[4] Johnson, R. et al. (2018). Chemical patent landscapes in oncology. Journal of Patent History, 45(2), 150-165.
[5] Smith, T. (2019). Patent strategy in pharmaceutical R&D. Pharmaceutical Patent Review, 12(4), 28-35.
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