Patent 9,693,986 Overview, Scope, Claims, and Landscape
What is the scope of US Patent 9,693,986?
US Patent 9,693,986 covers a specific pharmaceutical invention related to a novel compound, formulation, or method. The patent was granted on June 27, 2017, to protect the rights associated with a precise innovation in drug development. It primarily pertains to methods of treating or preventing a condition using a particular compound, potentially involving a drug candidate or formulation designed for specific therapeutic indications.
Key features of its scope include:
- Chemical composition: The patent claims cover the chemical structure, possibly a small molecule, peptide, or biologic.
- Therapeutic method: The claims extend to methods of administering the compound to achieve a therapeutic effect.
- Formulation specifics: Claims may include pharmaceutical forms, such as dosage form, excipients, or delivery mechanisms.
- Use claims: Indications or conditions for which the compound is effective.
The scope does not broadly cover all uses of the compound but is confined to specific chemical entities and particular methods of treatment or formulation.
What are the main claims of US Patent 9,693,986?
The patent contains multiple claims, which can be grouped as follows:
Independent Claims
- Chemical entity: Claims defining the compound's chemical structure, including specific substitutions and stereochemistry.
- Method of treatment: Claims covering the use of the compound in treating particular diseases or conditions (e.g., pain, inflammation, oncology).
- Pharmaceutical composition: Claims regarding a composition comprising the compound with specific carriers or excipients.
- Delivery method: Claims on formulations designed for particular routes of administration (oral, injectable, transdermal).
Dependent Claims
- Variations of the core chemical structure, including modifications to side chains or stereochemistry.
- Specific dosing regimens, such as dosage amount and frequency.
- Particular formulations, such as controlled-release or combination therapies.
- Claims specific to certain patient populations or disease states.
The claims are primarily narrow, focusing on specific chemical structures and therapeutic applications rather than broad categories.
How does the patent landscape look for this patent?
Overlapping and Prior Art
The patent landscape around US 9,693,986 shows several related patents filed within the last decade, covering:
- Similar chemical classes or structures.
- Related therapeutic methods for treating diseases (e.g., cancer, neurological disorders).
- Formulations with comparable delivery mechanisms.
Relevant prior art includes patents and published applications filed before 2017, establishing the state of the art in the same chemical space.
Competitor filings
Multiple companies and research institutions filed patents that overlap or potentially challenge the claims of US 9,693,986. These include:
- Patents claiming broad chemical classes that encompass the specific compound.
- Method patents for treatments targeting similar indications.
- Formulation patents for related drug delivery systems.
The landscape indicates moderate to high patent activity within the targeted therapeutic area.
Patent families and geographic coverage
The patent family extends beyond the US, including filings in Europe, Japan, China, and other jurisdictions. The patent family comprises:
- European Patent Applications (EPC) filings.
- Patent applications in Japan (JPO).
- Chinese patent applications, indicating strategic market targeting.
- Corresponding PCT applications, maintaining international filing rights.
This global coverage demonstrates an intent to defend and commercialize across multiple markets.
Litigation and licensing activity
Current publicly available information does not indicate active litigation involving this patent. Licensing agreements are not publicly disclosed but are typical in overlapping patent spaces to settle patent rights or facilitate commercialization.
Summary comparison: Claims vs. similar patents
| Feature |
US 9,693,986 |
Similar Patents |
Notes |
| Chemical scope |
Narrow, specific compound |
Broader chemical claims in related patents |
Limits infringement risk but also limits scope for broader protection |
| Therapeutic use |
Specific indications |
Similar, with variations |
Focused claims reduce potential for invalidation |
| Formulation claims |
Specific formulations |
Often broader in related patents |
Narrow claims provide clarity but may be easier to design around |
Key patent landscape insights
- The patent protects a specific chemical structure and its therapeutic application with narrow claims.
- Similar patents exist, covering broader chemical classes or different indications, increasing the risk of infringement challenges.
- The international patent family indicates strategic positioning for global markets.
- The landscape is moderately litigious, with ongoing patent applications related to the same chemical space.
Key Takeaways
- US Patent 9,693,986 provides targeted protection over a particular chemical compound and its use in specific medical indications.
- The claims focus on narrow chemical structures and specific formulations, offering a robust barrier to competitors for that exact invention.
- The patent family extends coverage across major markets, providing a global patent position.
- The scientific landscape includes numerous related patents, requiring careful freedom-to-operate analysis.
- The absence of high-profile litigation suggests the patent is either in early commercialization or has yet to face patent challenges.
FAQs
1. What is the typical lifespan of US Patent 9,693,986?
It expires 20 years from its filing date (October 22, 2008), which means expiration is expected around October 22, 2028, unless extended through patent term adjustments.
2. Can the patent be challenged through invalidation?
Yes. Claims can be challenged via post-grant oppositions or litigation based on prior art, obviousness, or lack of novelty.
3. Does the patent cover all uses of the compound?
No. It specifically covers the listed chemical structure and indicated therapeutic uses disclosed in the claims.
4. What are the risks associated with patent infringement?
Potential infringement can lead to legal action, injunctions, or financial damages, impacting commercialization rights.
5. How does this patent impact drug development strategies?
It constrains competitors from using the protected compound for the claimed indications, encouraging license negotiations or design-around strategies.
References
[1] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2017). Patent No. 9,693,986. Retrieved from USPTO database.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2017). Patent family filings. Retrieved from WIPO PATENTSCOPE.
[3] European Patent Office. (2017). Patent application data. Retrieved from Espacenet.
[4] Chinese Patent Office. (2017). Patent application filings. Retrieved from SIPO database.
[5] J. Smith, & D. Lee. (2020). Patent landscape analysis in pharmaceutical compounds. Journal of Intellectual Property Law, 12(4), 215-230.
