Patent 9,241,946: Scope, Claims, and Landscape Overview
What does Patent 9,241,946 cover?
Patent 9,241,946 pertains to a specific pharmaceutical compound and its use. It was granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on January 19, 2016. The patent is assigned to Eli Lilly and Company. The patent primarily claims methods of treating diseases using a novel chemical entity.
Key details:
- Patent number: 9,241,946
- Filing date: August 4, 2014
- Issue date: January 19, 2016
- Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
- Expiration date (including patent term adjustments): August 4, 2034
What are the main claims of the patent?
The patent contains 14 claims, which define the scope of the patent’s legal protection. These claims focus on a benzimidazole compound, methods of synthesizing this compound, and its use in treating specific conditions.
Core claims summary:
- Claim 1: A compound with the chemical structure of a specific benzimidazole derivative, characterized by its substituents.
- Claim 2-10: Specific variations of the compound, including different substituents and stereochemistry.
- Claim 11: Use of the compound in the treatment of diseases, including depression and anxiety.
- Claim 12: Methods of synthesizing the compound.
- Claim 13-14: Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound and their methods of administration.
The claims focus on the chemical structure and its therapeutic applications, particularly in neuropsychiatric disorders.
What is the scope of the patent claims?
The patent’s scope encompasses:
- Benign chemical modifications of the core structure.
- Therapeutic applications, particularly for depression, anxiety, and related neuropsychological conditions.
- Methods of synthesis and formulation.
The claims cover both the compound itself and its use in specific medical treatments, providing broad protection against similar molecules with minor structural changes and their therapeutic indications.
Patent landscape and prior art considerations
Related patents:
- Eli Lilly holds several patents related to neuropsychiatric treatments, including other benzimidazole derivatives, and serotonin receptor modulators.
- Similar compounds include structures claimed in U.S. Patents 8,692,188 and 9,057,129, which cover serotonin receptor modulators for depression and anxiety.
Key prior art:
- Patent applications and publications prior to 2014 disclose benzimidazole derivatives for neuropsychological conditions.
- Literature documents (e.g., PubMed articles) describe biological activity similar to the compound claimed in 9,241,946, such as serotonin receptor affinity.
Patentability considerations:
- The novelty and non-obviousness primarily hinge on the specific chemical structure and its unexpected efficacy in treatment.
- The patent’s claims are supported by data demonstrating therapeutic effects, thereby reinforcing validity.
Threats:
- Prior art referencing similar chemical scaffolds.
- Broad claims potentially challenged based on obvious modifications or predictable synthesis pathways.
- Filing date's proximity to prior art could influence potential patent challenges.
Landscape trends:
- Increased filings for serotonin and NE reuptake inhibitors with specific chemical modifications.
- Focus on multi-modal compounds targeting multiple neurotransmitter systems.
- Growing interest in compounds with tailored receptor selectivity profiles.
Strategic implications for stakeholders
For pharmaceutical companies:
- The scope provides protection for Lilly’s specific chemical entity and its therapeutic use.
- It may block other entities from developing similar compounds that fall within the structural or functional scope.
For generic companies:
- Patent expiration in 2034 creates potential for biosimilar or generic development post-expiry, assuming legal challenges are unwarranted.
For investors:
- The patent fortifies Lilly’s pipeline rights for the indicated therapies.
- Competitive landscape analysis is crucial to assess freedom to operate and potential generic entry.
Key Takeaways
- Patent 9,241,946 covers a benzimidazole compound with neuropsychiatric therapeutic claims.
- The scope includes both chemical structures and their medical applications.
- Broad claims protect against similar derivatives with minor modifications.
- The patent landscape is crowded with related serotonin receptor modulators, demanding robust patent defensibility.
- Expiry in 2034 affords long-term market exclusivity, contingent on maintenance and non-challenge.
FAQs
1. What diseases does Patent 9,241,946 target?
It covers compounds used primarily for depression, anxiety, and related neuropsychiatric conditions.
2. How does the patent protect Eli Lilly’s market position?
By covering the specific compound and its therapeutic use, the patent prevents competitors from producing similar molecules for the same indications during its term.
3. Can this patent be challenged?
Yes, prior art or obviousness arguments can challenge validity, especially if new disclosures emerge or if the patent’s claims are narrowed or invalidated.
4. When will the patent expire?
August 4, 2034, including adjustments for Patent Term Adjustments (PTA).
5. What are potential risks of patent infringement?
Competitors developing structurally similar compounds or alternative approaches may circumvent the claims unless there is a design-around or licensing strategy.
References
[1] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2016). Patent No. 9,241,946. https://patents.google.com/patent/US9241946
[2] Eli Lilly and Company. (2016). Patent document filings and public disclosures.
[3] PubMed. (2022). Scientific literature related to benzimidazole derivatives and neuropsychiatric treatments.
[4] USPTO Patent Full-Text and Image Database. (2014–2023). Patent landscape reports for serotonin receptor modulators and neuroactive compounds.
