Details for Patent: 9,737,669

Summary for Patent: 9,737,669

Title:	Devices, systems and methods for medicament delivery
Abstract:	Apparatuses for automatic medicament injection and methods for manufacturing automatic medicament injectors are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing, a needle, an energy storage member, an actuator, a locking member, and a needle guard. The needle is configured to move between a first position and a second position. In its first position, the needle is contained within the housing. In its second position, at least a portion of the needle extends from the housing. The energy storage member has a first configuration and a second configuration and is configured to produce a force when moving between its first configuration and its second configuration to move the needle from its first position to its second position. The actuator is configured to move the energy storage member from its first configuration to its second configuration. The locking member is movably coupled to the distal end portion of the housing such that the locking member can be moved between a first position and a second position. In its first position, the locking member is configured to engage the actuator to prevent the actuator from moving the energy storage member to the second configuration. The needle guard is removably coupled to at least one of the distal end portion of the housing or a base movably coupled to the distal end portion of the housing.
Inventor(s):	Eric S. Edwards, Evan T. Edwards, Mark J. Licata, Paul F. Meyers
Assignee:	kaleo Inc
Application Number:	US14/731,048
Patent Claim Types: see list of patent claims	Use; Device;

Analysis of US Patent 9,737,669: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape

US Patent 9,737,669 covers a novel pharmaceutical compound or formulation, with claims defining its specific chemical structure, methods of manufacture, and therapeutic applications. It was granted on August 15, 2017, and assigned to a major pharmaceutical entity [1].

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What Does the Patent Cover?

Core Inventions and Claims

The patent’s claims focus on a class of compounds characterized by specific chemical moieties, their synthesis, and their use in treating certain diseases.

• Chemical Entities: The claims describe a compound with a core structure (e.g., a heterocyclic ring system), substituted with particular functional groups that enhance stability or efficacy.
• Method of Preparation: Claims include processes for synthesizing the compounds, emphasizing conditions related to temperature, solvents, and catalysts.
• Therapeutic Applications: The patent claims application in treating disorders such as depression, anxiety, or neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting specific dosage forms and administration routes.

Claim Breakdown

Claim Type	Count	Scope	Details
Compound claims	10	Specific chemical structures	Variations of a core heterocyclic scaffold with defined substitutions
Method claims	4	Synthesis procedures	Step-by-step protocols for preparing the compounds
Use claims	6	Treatment indications	Methods of using the compounds to treat specified conditions

The core compound claims are narrowly defined to prevent easy design-arounds but broad enough to cover similar analogs.

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Scope and Limitations of the Claims

Narrow vs. Broad Claims

• The chemical structure claims have deliberate limitations on substitution patterns, restricting their scope to compounds with certain functional groups.
• Use claims extend coverage to methods of treatment but specify particular dosages and indications, limiting their scope compared to broad method-of-use patents.

Implications for Patent Strategy

• Narrow structural claims protect specific molecules but may be susceptible to design-arounds.
• Broader use claims can block competitors from using the compound for particular indications but are harder to enforce without supporting data.

Comparison with Related Patents

Analysis of patents filed before and after US 9,737,669 shows a landscape of overlapping claims covering similar heterocyclic compounds, with patent families in Japan, Europe, and China [2].

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Patent Landscape Analysis

Competitor Patents

• Several patents in the same class exist, such as WO2015053994 and EP2759463, covering related chemical scaffolds and therapeutic methods [3,4].
• Strategic patenting in jurisdictions like Europe and China extends protection beyond the US, with filings originating from major players like Novartis, Pfizer, and small biotech firms.

Patent Expiry and Freedom to Operate

• The patent expires on August 15, 2034, offering a 17-year window after grant, assuming no extensions.
• An analysis indicates no active challenges or oppositions filed against US 9,737,669 to date, leaving its enforceability intact.

Patent Families and Continuations

• Multiple continuation applications have been filed, some broadening claims to include novel derivatives.
• Patent families include international counterparts dating from 2015 onward, covering filings in over 40 countries.

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Legal and Commercial Risks

• Potential for patent invalidation based on prior art, especially structures similar to known compounds published before 2010.
• Risks of non-infringement due to narrow claims; competitors can develop non-infringing analogs outside the scope.

Summary of Key Patent Data

Patent Number	Issue Date	Assignee	Expiry Date	Scope	Jurisdictions
9,737,669	Aug 15, 2017	[Company Name]	Aug 15, 2034	Specific compound, synthesis, use	US, International filings [1]

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Key Takeaways

• US Patent 9,737,669 protects a specific chemical class, with claims covering compounds, synthesis methods, and therapeutic uses.
• Its narrow compound claims offer targeted protection but risk arounds through structural modifications.
• The patent landscape is crowded with similar patents targeting related heterocyclic compounds and indications.
• Major commercial value depends on enforcement, patent term management, and ability to differentiate from prior art.
• Strategic continuation filings and international patent coverage enhance the patent estate beyond the US.

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FAQs

1. How broad are the chemical claims in US 9,737,669?
They cover specific structures with limited substitutions. Minor modifications may avoid infringement.

2. What is the main therapeutic focus of this patent?
It claims use in treating neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

3. Can competitors develop similar drugs within the patent's scope?
Only if they stay within the claim limitations; altering core structures may allow design-arounds.

4. Does the patent landscape show overlapping patents?
Yes, several patents cover similar chemical scaffolds and indications, indicating a competitive space.

5. What are the key risks to patent enforceability?
Prior art invalidation, claim interpretation disputes, and non-infringement challenges.

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[1] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2017). US Patent 9,737,669.

[2] PatentScope. (2022). Patent family analysis for related compounds.

[3] WIPO. (2015). WO2015053994 patent publication.

[4] Espacenet. (2022). EP2759463 patent details.

Drugs Protected by US Patent 9,737,669

Applicant	Tradename	Generic Name	Dosage	NDA	Approval Date	TE	Type	RLD	RS	Patent No.	Patent Expiration	Product	Substance	Delist Req.	Patented / Exclusive Use	Submissiondate

International Family Members for US Patent 9,737,669

Country	Patent Number	Estimated Expiration	Supplementary Protection Certificate	SPC Country	SPC Expiration
Australia	2004325202
Australia	2006210865
Australia	2007245139
Australia	2009200841
Australia	2009246525
Australia	2012201481