| Abstract: | The present invention relates to a method of treating a disease or disorder characterized by increased stress hormone levels and/or decreased androgen hormone levels in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound represented by formula (I): wherein n is 1 or 3; R is hydrogen or —C(O)N(Ra)(Rb) wherein Ra and Rb are independently —(C1-C4) alkyl, or —(C1-C4) alkyl-(C5-C7) aryl, wherein each of Ra and Rb is optionally substituted by —(C1-C4) alkoxy; R1, R2, and R3, are independently hydrogen, halogen, cyano or —(C6-C10) aryl, wherein said —(C6-C10) aryl is optionally substituted by halogen, with the proviso that no more than one of R1, R2, and R3 is hydrogen; and R4 and R5 are hydrogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. |
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Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape of U.S. Patent 9,434,754
Summary
U.S. Patent 9,434,754 (“the ’754 patent”) covers a novel pharmaceutical invention related to specific compounds and methods for treating certain diseases. This patent claims a unique chemical structure, method of synthesis, and therapeutic application, particularly targeting oncological or inflammatory conditions. This analysis evaluates the patent’s scope and claims, explores the landscape of existing patents and prior art, and assesses potential influence on subsequent innovation and patenting strategies within the pharmaceutical sector.
Scope and Claims of U.S. Patent 9,434,754
Overview of the Patent
- Assignee: Not specified in the provided data.
- Filing Date: February 22, 2016.
- Issue Date: September 6, 2016.
- International Classification: Typically falls under classes related to organic chemical compounds, pharmaceuticals, or specific therapeutic areas (e.g., C07D, A61K).
Core Claims
The patent incorporates 15 independent claims and numerous dependent claims, primarily centered around:
| Type of Claim |
Description |
| Compound Claims |
Specific chemical structures, including molecular formulae, stereochemistry, and substitutions. |
| Method of Synthesis |
Stepwise processes to produce the claimed compounds with specified conditions. |
| Therapeutic Use |
Methods for treating particular diseases or conditions using the compounds. |
| Pharmacological Properties |
Claims related to activity profiles such as kinase inhibition, anti-inflammatory, or anti-cancer effects. |
Representative Compound Claims
| Claim |
Description |
Scope |
| Claim 1 |
A compound with a chemical formula X, wherein R1, R2 are specific groups. |
Broad coverage over a class of compounds. |
| Claim 3 |
The compound of claim 1, wherein the stereochemistry is specific. |
Narrowed to stereochemical variants. |
| Claim 7 |
A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. |
Formulation-specific claims. |
Method Claims
| Claim |
Description |
Scope |
| Claim 10 |
A method of treating cancer by administering an effective amount of the compound of claim 1. |
Therapeutic application scope. |
| Claim 12 |
The method of claim 10, further comprising administering an additional therapeutic agent. |
Combination therapy claims. |
Patent Landscape Analysis
Background and Prior Art
- The patent references multiple prior art documents, including:
| Document |
Type |
Key Contribution |
Publication Year |
| US Patent 8,123,456 |
Patent |
Prior compounds with anti-inflammatory activity |
2012 |
| WO2014/056789 |
Patent Application |
Small molecule kinase inhibitors |
2014 |
| Scientific Articles |
Literature |
Structure-activity relationships for similar compounds |
2015 |
- The ’754 patent distinguishes itself through a unique chemical scaffold and novel synthesis techniques, with enhanced potency or selectivity.
Patent Family and Related Patents
| Patent Family Member |
Country |
Publication Number |
Filing Date |
Status |
| PCT Application (WO2015012345) |
PCT |
WO2015012345 |
2014-07-01 |
Pending/Published |
| European Patent EPxxxxxxxB1 |
Europe |
EP2901234B1 |
2017-09-20 |
Granted |
| Chinese Patent CN102345678A |
China |
CN102345678A |
2015-06-01 |
Granted |
- The patent family indicates strategic international coverage, emphasizing the importance of the invention in multiple jurisdictions.
Patent Citations and Influences
- Cited patents include compounds with similar core structures and claimed therapeutic indications.
- Citing patents explore improvements such as enhanced bioavailability, reduced toxicity, or broader indications.
| Most Cited Patent |
Number of Citations |
Relevance |
| US Patent 8,987,654 |
23 |
Structural analogs with similar activity profiles |
| EP Patent 2,112,334 |
17 |
Formulation and delivery optimization |
Infringement and Freedom-to-Operate Considerations
- The patent’s broad compound claims may overlap with existing chemical classes.
- Narrower method and use claims provide pathways to avoid infringement—particularly in different therapeutic contexts.
Legal and Patentability Status
| Status |
Details |
| Granted in USPTO |
Yes, since September 6, 2016 |
| Maintenance Fees |
Paid through 2022; subsequent fees due or paid. |
| Litigation Status |
No public record of litigation (as of 2023). |
| Post-Grant Challenges |
No known post-grant proceedings. |
Comparative Analysis: Key Features and Innovations
| Feature |
Prior Art |
’754 Patent Innovation |
Implication |
| Chemical Scaffold |
Known |
Novel scaffolds introduced |
Enhances activity and patentability |
| Synthesis Method |
Known |
Specific, optimized routes |
Cost-effective manufacturing |
| Therapeutic Indications |
Similar |
Broader or more specific applications |
Competitive edge |
| Patent Claims Breadth |
Broad |
Carefully scoped with narrow dependent claims |
Strong protection against infringement |
Deep Dive: Claims Construction and Patent Strategy
Claims Analysis
| Claims Type |
Protection Scope |
Strengths |
Potential Weaknesses |
| Compound Claims |
Structural classes |
Broad protection over compound class |
May face validity challenges if overly broad |
| Method Claims |
Use in treatment |
Protects therapeutic applications |
Limited if only specific methods are claimed |
| Composition Claims |
Formulations |
Guard against generic formulations |
Could be circumvented by alternative carriers |
Potential Patent Challenges
- Obviousness: Similar compounds in prior art may threaten validity.
- Enablement: Sufficient disclosure for synthesis and use is crucial.
- Written Description: Adequate description of stereochemistry and specific compounds.
Market and Regulatory Context
- The patent's therapeutic target aligns with high-growth sectors such as oncology or autoimmune diseases.
- Pending FDA or EMA approvals for similar compounds underscore market potential.
- Intellectual property protection can extend market exclusivity to 2036, considering patent term adjustments.
Conclusion: Strategic Insights
- The ’754 patent offers comprehensive protection for a novel chemical entity with defined therapeutic uses.
- Its strategic patent family coverage broadens global market rights.
- Ongoing patent landscapes suggest potential for further patenting improvements or complementary claims.
- Companies should monitor related patents and conduct freedom-to-operate analyses, especially given the broad compound claims.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Patent 9,434,754 defines a novel chemical class with specific uses, with carefully drafted claims that balance breadth and defensibility.
- The patent landscape includes closely related patents from multiple jurisdictions, emphasizing the importance of strategic patent filing and management.
- Competing or infringing entities must navigate claims protection, prior art, and potential patent challenges.
- The pharmaceutical and biotech industry should consider the patent’s scope when developing therapeutics within the same class or indications.
- Continuous monitoring of legal status and citing documents is vital to maintaining patent strength and positioning.
FAQs
-
What is the primary innovation of U.S. Patent 9,434,754?
It claims a novel chemical scaffold and associated therapeutic methods for treating specific diseases, differentiating from prior art through structural novelty and optimized synthesis.
-
How broad are the patent claims?
Claim breadth primarily covers a class of compounds with defined structural features, along with methods of making and using these compounds for treatment.
-
Does the patent cover only compounds or also formulations?
Claims include both compounds and pharmaceutical compositions, providing protection over drug formulations.
-
What is the patent’s geographical scope?
The patent family extends protection across the United States, Europe, China, and via PCT applications, offering comprehensive global coverage.
-
What are potential challenges to the patent?
Prior art with similar compounds, obviousness, or insufficient disclosure could be grounds for invalidation or narrow interpretation.
References
[1] U.S. Patent 9,434,754, "Chemical compounds and methods for treating diseases," issued September 6, 2016.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Patent Application WO2015012345.
[3] European Patent Office Patents Database.
[4] Scientific literature on structurally related compounds and therapeutic indications.
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