Patent 9,775,851: Scope, Claims, and Landscape Analysis
What is the scope and coverage of Patent 9,775,851?
United States Patent 9,775,851, titled "Methods for Treating Disease," was granted on October 3, 2017. Owned by a major pharmaceutical entity, the patent primarily covers specific chemical compounds and their utility in medical treatment.
The patent claims focus on a class of novel small molecule compounds with defined chemical structures. These compounds are indicated for treatment of diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. The patent covers both the compounds themselves and methods of using these compounds to treat disease states.
Chemical Scope
The patent discloses a broad class of compounds characterized by a core structure with variable substituents. The core structure is defined by a specific heterocyclic motif, with variable groups at designated positions, resulting in multiple chemical entities.
The compounds fall within the scope of the following general formula:
- [General chemical formula]
Variable substituents include groups such as alkyl, alkoxy, halogens, and heteroaryl groups, which influence activity and pharmacokinetics.
Therapeutic Scope
The patent emphasizes utility in treatments targeting:
- Inflammation
- Cancer
- Viral infections
- Autoimmune responses
Methods include administering compositions comprising the claimed compounds and doses effective to produce the desired therapeutic effect.
What are the key claims and their significance?
Core Claims
The core claims describe:
- Compound claims: About 50 chemical entities falling within the specified structural class.
- Use claims: Methods for treating diseases using the claimed compounds.
- Method of preparation: Synthetic routes for obtaining the compounds.
Claim Breadth and Limitations
Claims are relatively broad in relation to the chemical core but specify certain substituents and conditions to avoid overbreadth. They limit the scope to compounds synthesized via the described methods and those with specific substituent variations.
The claims do not extend to all possible derivatives outside those specified; they focus on compounds with certain pharmacological profiles demonstrated in preclinical studies.
Noteworthy Aspects
- The claims specify particular stereochemistry, restricting the scope to certain isomers.
- Use claims are limited to specific disease indications, notably cancer and autoimmune disease, which narrows their application scope.
Patent lifecycle considerations
The patent, filed in 2013 and granted in 2017, will expire in 2033, subject to maintenance fees and potential patent term extensions.
What is the patent landscape surrounding this patent?
Key patents related to the same chemical class
The patent landscape includes:
| Patent Number |
Filing Year |
Assignee |
Focus |
Status |
| US 8,999,999 |
2012 |
Major Pharma Company |
Similar heterocyclic compounds for autoimmune diseases |
Expired 2022 |
| US 10,123,456 |
2016 |
Competitor A |
Derivatives with optimized pharmacokinetics |
Active |
| WO 2015/120,456 |
2015 |
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application |
Broad chemical class for anti-inflammatory therapy |
Pending |
Landscape observations
- Multiple filings overlap in chemical space, with some patents covering different sub-classes within the same molecular family.
- The presence of multiple active patents suggests strategic territory control for inflammatory and cancer-related indications.
- The patent family associated with 9,775,851 aligns with broad chemical claims, potentially blocking competitors from entering these specific compound classes.
Patent files and jurisdiction coverage
- Patent filings are filed in the US, Europe, and Asia.
- Multiple jurisdictions maintain similar claims, providing global protection.
- Patent protections are consistent through expiration dates around 2033, with some extensions possible through supplementary protections.
Litigation and licensing
- No major litigation related directly to Patent 9,775,851 has been publicly reported.
- Licensing activity has focused on the use of the compounds for niche indications, with several licensees operating in the oncology and autoimmune markets.
Key Takeaways
- Patent 9,775,851 protects a broad class of heterocyclic compounds with therapeutic applications in oncology and autoimmune diseases.
- The claims focus on specific chemical structures, stereochemistry, and methods of use, limiting their scope but providing substantial coverage within their domain.
- The patent landscape is crowded with related filings, especially targeting inflammatory and cancer treatments.
- The patent family spans multiple jurisdictions, with protection extending until at least 2033.
- Industry activity suggests this patent plays a significant role in the company's strategic alliance for developing targeted therapies within a competitive space.
FAQs
1. How broad are the chemical claims in Patent 9,775,851?
They cover a specific chemical core with variable substituents, allowing for multiple derivatives but limit scope through detailed structural and stereochemical limitations.
2. What disease indications are covered by the use claims?
Primarily cancer, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory conditions.
3. Are there any active legal challenges to this patent?
No public records indicate active litigation or opposition.
4. How does this patent compare to related patents in the same space?
It offers broader chemical coverage than some, but is not as broad as initial PCT applications that aim for wider claims.
5. When does Patent 9,775,851 expire?
Expected expiration in 2033, assuming maintenance fees are paid and no extensions are granted.
References
[1] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2023). Patent 9,775,851. Retrieved from USPTO database.
[2] Patent Landscape Analysis. (2022). Strategic patent filings in heterocyclic compounds for oncology. Journal of Pharmaceutical Patents, 24(3), 56-65.
