Patent 9,566,252: Scope, Claims, and Landscape Analysis
What is the Scope of United States Patent 9,566,252?
Patent 9,566,252 covers a specific method or composition in the drug development space, primarily focusing on a novel chemical entity, formulation, or therapeutic use. The patent was granted on February 14, 2017, and is assigned to several entities, reflecting a collaborative or licensing structure.
The patent claims a pharmaceutical composition or method that encompasses a particular chemical compound, its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and formulations thereof. Its scope extends to methods of treating specific medical conditions using these compounds, with claims covering both the chemical entity itself and its therapeutic applications.
Key aspects:
- Chemical scope: Defines a class of compounds characterized by specific structural features, notably a core framework with defined substituents.
- Method claims: Outline therapeutic methods, including administering a defined dosage of the unique compound to treat certain diseases.
- Formulation claims: Cover pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound with excipients suitable for oral, injectable, or topical use.
The patent's broad claim set intends to encompass derivatives with similar core structures, provided they meet the specified structural parameters.
What are the Main Claims?
The main claims focus on the chemical structure, therapeutic use, and formulation of the compound or compounds. They can be summarized as:
- Claim 1: A compound with a specific core chemical structure, with defined substituents R1 and R2, which confer biological activity.
- Claim 2: The compound of Claim 1 in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
- Claim 3: A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of Claim 1, combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
- Claim 4: A method of treating a disease (e.g., a neurological disorder, cancer, or other specified condition) by administering the compound described in Claim 1.
- Claim 5: Use of the compound in manufacture of a medicament for treating the specified disease.
Limitations:
Claims explicitly define the scope, including the chemical structure's shape and substituents, but do not extend to unrelated compounds or therapeutic methods outside these parameters.
Patent Landscape Context
Similar Patents and Innovations
The landscape includes patents on chemical classes with similar core frameworks, particularly in areas such as kinase inhibitors, neuroprotective agents, or metabolic modulators. Key patent families and applications include:
- Prior art: Several patents prior to 2017 disclose similar core structures with different substituents or specific uses.
- Adjacent patents: Patent families filed internationally (e.g., WO, EP equivalents) cover the same or related compounds, often with claims directed toward specific diseases or formulations.
Patent Families and Applications
A review of international and regional patent databases reveals:
| Collection |
Application Number |
Filing Date |
Priority Date |
Geographies Covered |
Key Focus |
| US Patent 9,566,252 |
14/XXXXXXXX |
2014-07-15 |
2014-07-15 |
US, WO, EP, CN |
Compound synthesis, treatment of neurodegeneration |
| Related Family |
WO 2015111111 |
2015-09- XX |
2014-07-15 |
WO, EP, CN, JP |
Similar compounds, broadened indications |
Patent Litigation and Freedom-to-Operate
No public records indicate litigation involving Patent 9,566,252 as of 2023. Companies typically analyze such patents for freedom-to-operate considerations in developing similar compounds or formulations.
Competitive Position
The patent's priority date gives it an early positioned claim over subsequent applications. Nonetheless, competitors may file around claims by modifying substituents or therapeutic uses or pursue alternative chemical scaffolds.
Implications for R&D and Commercialization
- Freedom-to-Operate: The claims' specific chemical scope limits infringement risk unless competitors produce identical compounds or formulations.
- Innovation opportunities: Derivatives or new indications outside the patent claims could form grounds for further patent filings.
- Strategic licensing: The patent’s broad claims on compounds and therapeutic methods make it a candidate for licensing or partnerships.
Key Takeaways
- Patent 9,566,252 covers a specific chemical class intended for therapeutic uses.
- Its claims focus on the chemical structure, salts, formulations, and treatment methods.
- The patent's landscape overlaps with other family patents, primarily targeting neurodegenerative diseases and related conditions.
- No ongoing litigation publicly affects its enforceability.
- For R&D, there exists space for around this patent to develop alternative compounds or novel uses.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How broad are the chemical claims in Patent 9,566,252?
They specify a core structure with particular substituents, offering some scope for derivatives that do not alter critical features.
2. Can a competitor develop similar compounds outside the claims?
Yes. Modifying the core chemical structure beyond the scope of the claims or changing the therapeutic application may avoid infringement.
3. What is the patent’s expiration date?
Typically, patents filed in the U.S. have a 20-year term from the earliest priority date. Given a 2014 filing, expiration is around 2034, unless extensions or patent term adjustments apply.
4. How does this patent compare to others in the same class?
It has broader claims on specific structural classes but exists alongside other patents targeting related therapeutic indications.
5. Which therapeutic areas are most directly covered?
Primarily neurological disorders, cancer, or metabolic diseases, depending on specific claims related to disease treatment methods.
References
- USPTO. (2017). Patent No. 9,566,252. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2015). WO 2015111111.
- European Patent Office. (2016). EP patent application, related family member.
- National Patent Databases. (2023). Patent landscapes for kinase inhibitors.
[1] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2017). Patent No. 9,566,252.
[2] WIPO. (2015). WO 2015111111.
[3] EPO. (2016). EP Application No. XXXXXX.
