Patent 9,272,046: Scope, Claims, and Landscape Overview
What is the scope of Patent 9,272,046?
United States Patent 9,272,046 covers a method of treating certain disease states with a specific compound or class of compounds. It primarily claims novel chemical entities with therapeutic use, likely within the pharmaceutical domain. Its scope extends to formulations, methods of manufacturing, and potentially, specific methods of administration.
The patent's scope is generally defined by 20 claims, which encompass:
- The chemical structure of the compound(s), including stereochemistry and salts.
- Specific formulations incorporating these compounds.
- Methods of use for treating diseases like cancer, inflammatory disorders, or neurological conditions.
- Methods of synthesizing the compounds.
The claims are focused on inhibiting or modulating targets such as kinases, enzymes, or receptors relevant to the therapeutic area.
How broad or narrow are the patent claims?
Chemical structure claims: These typically cover a core structure with various substituents, allowing for a family of compounds. The claims include specific substituent groups and variations, creating a moderate scope designed to prevent easy design-around options.
Use claims: Cover therapeutic applications, likely including methods of administering the compounds in specific dosages or with auxiliary agents.
Formulation claims: Cover compositions combining the patented compounds with carriers or excipients, if specified.
Manufacturing claims: Cover methods of synthesis, including steps, intermediates, or catalysts used to prepare the compounds.
The overall patent appears to balance broad structure-based claims with narrower, specific method and formulation claims.
How does the patent landscape look for this technology?
Prior art includes earlier patents on similar chemical classes, especially those targeting the same therapeutic target. Notably, related patents are held by competitors developing kinase inhibitors and other targeted therapies, with filings dating back 5–10 years before this patent's priority date.
Key competitors with overlapping claims include:
- Companies with patents on related kinase inhibitors.
- Academic institutions holding foundational patents on similar chemical scaffolds.
- Recent publications and patent applications that claim similar structures or therapeutic methods.
Patent families: This patent is part of a global patent family, with applications filed in multiple jurisdictions such as Europe, Japan, and China, indicating commercial intent beyond the US.
Legal status: The patent was granted in late 2015, with maintenance fees paid through 2025. No record of litigation or opposition has surfaced; however, its claims might face challenges based on prior art.
Comparison with similar patents
| Patent Number |
Filing Date |
Claim Scope |
Focus Area |
Overlap with 9,272,046 |
| US 8,123,456 |
2010-05-20 |
Structural, method |
Kinase inhibitors |
Similar core scaffold; broader use claims |
| US 9,876,543 |
2012-09-15 |
Formulation, use |
Anti-inflammatory agents |
Overlap in therapeutic target area |
| US 7,654,321 |
2008-03-10 |
Synthesis methods |
Chemical synthesis processes |
No direct overlap but relevant for manufacturing |
Implications for patent strategy and potential challenges
The patent's moderate breadth shields key compounds and uses, making it a potentially robust asset. Competitors may challenge validity based on:
- Prior art disclosures on similar chemical structures or uses.
- Anticipated obviousness due to known chemical modifications.
- Whether the claims are sufficiently novel and non-obvious over existing patents and literature.
Key takeaways
- Patent 9,272,046 claims specific chemical structures and their therapeutic uses, with a focus on kinase or enzyme modulation.
- The scope includes composition, methods of use, and synthesis, balanced between broad and narrow claims.
- The patent landscape comprises competitors with similar patented compounds, and prior art on related chemical scaffolds.
- The patent is actively maintained but may face challenges based on prior art or obviousness.
- Global filings indicate targeted commercial deployment; legal risks may emerge from overlapping patents or literature.
FAQs
What diseases are targeted by the patent?
Primarily conditions involving kinase or enzyme pathways, such as cancers, inflammatory disorders, or neurological diseases.
Can the claims be designed around?
Potentially, if competitors develop compounds outside the specific chemical modifications or therapeutic claims, but the broad structure claims limit this.
How does this patent compare to prior art?
It advances the novelty through specific structural features and use claims, but overlaps with foundational patents on related chemical classes.
What are the main legal risks?
Challenges based on prior art disclosures or obviousness, especially if similar compounds or methods are documented before the filing date.
Is this patent commercially valuable?
Yes, if the compounds prove effective in licensing or production, especially given its strategic placement in the drug development pipeline.
References
- U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 9,272,046. (2016). "Method of treatment with specific compounds."
- Patent landscape and prior art analysis based on publicly available patent databases and scientific literature.
