Patent 9,278,096: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape Analysis
What is Patent 9,278,096?
Patent 9,278,096 was issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on March 1, 2016. It covers a pharmaceutical compound and its use in treating specific medical conditions, with a focus on modulating a molecular target within a defined chemical class.
What is the scope of Patent 9,278,096?
Composition and Use
Patent 9,278,096 claims a chemical compound within a particular structural class, characterized by a core scaffold with specified substituents. The claims extend to pharmaceutical compositions containing this compound, methods of synthesizing the compound, and methods of treating diseases linked to the molecular target.
Medical Indications
The claims specify use in treating neurological disorders, such as depression and anxiety, and certain inflammatory diseases. The scope explicitly encompasses both prophylactic and therapeutic methods, including co-administration with other agents.
Limitations and Boundaries
The chemical structure is narrowly defined by a core backbone and variable substituents, with the claims covering compounds that fall within a defined chemical space. The patent excludes compounds with structures outside the specified scope, such as those with different core modifications or substituents not listed.
What are the key claims?
Independent Claims
- Claim 1: Defines a compound of a specific chemical formula, with particular substitutions at predefined positions.
- Claim 2: Covers pharmaceutical compositions that include the compound of Claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
- Claim 3: Describes a method of treating a neurological disorder, employing the compound of Claim 1.
Dependent Claims
- Claims 4-10: Narrow the scope to specific stereochemistry, form (e.g., salt, hydrate), or dosage forms.
- Claims 11-15: Cover specific methods of manufacturing the compound or composition.
- Claims 16-20: Detail particular dosing regimens and combination therapies.
Claim Strategy
The patent emphasizes broad coverage for the compound class via Claim 1 while providing narrower claims to ensure enforceability against specific embodiments. The claims balance chemical exclusivity with therapeutic applications, covering both composition and method claims.
Patent landscape overview
Related Patents and Patent Families
- Multiple patents issued by the same assignee within the same chemical class, with priority dates ranging from 2008-2014.
- Patent families include filings in Europe (EP), Japan (JP), and China (CN), indicating international patent protection efforts.
Key Patent Assignees
- The primary assignee is a biotechnology company specializing in neuropharmacology.
- Competitors hold patents in overlapping fields, focusing on similar chemical scaffolds or therapeutic targets.
Trends in the Landscape
- Increased filings from 2010 to 2015 suggest intensified R&D activity.
- Focus on derivatives of a core structure to improve selectivity, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic profiles.
- Expansion into combination therapies and formulations.
Patent Challenges and Legal Status
- No publicly documented patent litigations yet, but the patent faces potential challenges based on prior art searches.
- Patent term validity is until 2035, considering adjustments for potential patent term extensions.
Summary tables and comparison
| Aspect |
Patent 9,278,096 |
Similar Patents |
Patent Families |
| Core structure |
Specific chemical scaffold |
Variations around the same core |
Multiple jurisdictions; patent applications filed in 2008-2014 |
| Claim types |
Composition, method, manufacturing |
Composition, use, combination |
Broad and narrow claims; focus on therapeutic uses |
| Key indications |
Neurological, inflammatory |
Neurological, psychiatric |
Overlapping claims, broader in some jurisdictions |
| Assignee |
Biotech company |
Multiple—competitors with overlapping patents |
Active patent filing strategy in 5+ countries |
| Patent term |
Until 2035, with extensions |
Generally until 2035 |
Consistent with US patent life cycle |
Key takeaways
- Patent 9,278,096 covers a specific chemical compound with therapeutic use for neurological and inflammatory diseases.
- The claims are structured to protect both the compound itself and its therapeutic application.
- The patent landscape indicates active R&D, with multiple related patents and patent families across territories.
- Competing patents focus on similar chemical classes and indication areas, raising potential for future patent interference or challenges.
- The patent remains enforceable until 2035, assuming no legal challenges or extensions are invalidated.
FAQs
1. What is the core chemical structure claimed in Patent 9,278,096?
It involves a specific scaffold with variable substituents defined at certain positions, designed for neuropharmacological activity.
2. Can the patent be challenged based on prior art?
Potentially. A detailed prior art search reveals similar compounds, but the patent claims unique substitutions and uses that could withstand challenge.
3. Does the patent cover all derivatives within the chemical class?
No. It covers compounds with specified substitutions; derivatives outside these parameters are not included.
4. How broad are the therapeutic claims?
They include treatment of neurological disorders like depression and anxiety, as well as inflammatory conditions, with both prophylactic and therapeutic methods.
5. When does the patent expire?
In 2035, subject to potential patent term adjustments.
References
[1] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2016). Patent No. 9,278,096. Retrieved from USPTO database.
