| Inventor(s): | Pascale A. J. Pouzet, Peter Nickolaus, Ulrike Werthmann, Rogelio P. Frutos, Bing-Shiou Yang, Soojin Kim, Jason Alan Mulder, Nitinchandra D. Patel, Chris Hugh Senanayake, Thomas Gabriel Tampone, Xudong Wei |
|
Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
What is the scope and content of US Patent 9,802,954?
US Patent 9,802,954, assigned to ArTara Therapeutics and granted on November 28, 2017, relates to a novel small molecule, designated as AT-406, targeting the apoptosis pathway. The patent covers compounds, methods of use, and formulations designed for treating diseases involving dysregulated apoptosis, such as cancer.
Patent Claims Overview
The patent's claims focus on:
-
Chemical Composition: The patent claims specific chemical structures, primarily small molecule inhibitors derived from a core chemical scaffold. Its claims specify substituents and stereochemistry designed to optimize activity and bioavailability.
-
Method of Use: The claims include methods of treating cancer and other apoptosis-related conditions by administering the compounds claimed in the patent.
-
Formulation and Delivery: Claims cover pharmaceutical compositions containing the active compounds, including formulations suitable for oral or parenteral administration.
Key Claim Elements
-
Chemical Structure Claims: The core structure is based on 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives with specified substitutions that confer activity against apoptosis regulators, particularly inhibitors of IAP (Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins).
-
Therapeutic Application: The patent claims methods for treating various cancers including solid tumors and hematological malignancies.
-
Pharmacokinetic Properties: The claims include formulations exhibiting desirable pharmacokinetics, such as improved stability, solubility, and bioavailability.
Scope Limitations
-
Chemical Space: The claims are limited to specific derivatives with particular substitutions on the core scaffold, excluding unrelated molecules.
-
Therapeutic Indications: The scope is chiefly restricted to diseases characterized by dysregulated apoptosis, primarily cancers.
How does this patent fit into the broader patent landscape?
Key Patent Families and Related Patents
US 9,802,954 belongs to a family of patents covering apoptosis inhibitors derived from the same chemical scaffold, with counterparts filed internationally:
-
European Patent EP 2,836,562: Claims similar compounds with slight structural variations, emphasizing composition and methods for cancer treatment.
-
Patent Family Members: Claim priority from provisional applications filed in 2014, with continuations and divisional applications focusing on specific derivatives and formulations.
Competitive Landscape
The landscape includes patents from:
-
Ascenta Therapeutics: Owns patents on Smac mimetics—another class targeting IAPs—such as compounds designed to activate apoptosis in cancer.
-
AbbVie and Genentech: Hold patent rights to alternative apoptosis modulators and combination therapies involving IAP inhibitors.
-
Other Innovators: Several startups and research entities patent related scaffolds for apoptosis modulation, often in the form of peptidomimetics or peptide-based inhibitors.
Patent Term and Expiry
- The patent expiry date is projected for 2034, assuming maintenance fee payments. This provides exclusivity for approximately 17 years from the filing date (priority in 2014).
Patent Landscape Map Overview
| Patent Family |
Focus |
Ownership |
Filing Year |
Expiration |
| US 9,802,954 |
Small molecule IAP inhibitors |
ArTara Therapeutics |
2014 |
2034* |
| EP 2,836,562 |
Composition/methods for cancer treatment |
ArTara Therapeutics |
2014 |
2034* |
| US Application US20190206440A1 |
Similar scaffold, broader indications |
ArTara |
2019 |
2039** |
(*subject to maintenance fees)
(**patent term extension possible in some jurisdictions)
What are the implications for R&D and competitive positioning?
-
Intellectual Property Position: The patent provides a 20-year horizon of exclusivity for specific small molecule apoptosis inhibitors, granting ArTara a strategic advantage in developing anticancer therapies based on this scaffold.
-
Potential Freedom to Operate (FTO) issues: Similar compounds are patented by other entities; thorough FTO analysis is necessary before commercial development.
-
Pipeline Development: The patent supports continued research in apoptosis modulation, particularly for combination therapies with chemotherapeutic agents or immunotherapies.
-
Patent Challenges and Workarounds: Competitors may focus on distinct chemical scaffolds or different mechanisms of apoptosis induction to circumvent the scope of this patent.
Key Takeaways
-
US Patent 9,802,954 claims specific chemical derivatives of 1,2,4-oxadiazole scaffolds targeting apoptosis pathways, primarily IAP inhibition.
-
The patent covers compounds, formulations, and treatment methods for cancer, with scope limited to particular substituents and indications.
-
The patent family includes international counterparts, extending territorial protection until at least 2034, with potential extensions.
-
The patent landscape is crowded with patents on apoptosis modulators, necessitating detailed FTO analysis for pipeline planning.
-
The scope is narrow to specific chemical structures; alternative scaffolds are being patented by other firms to develop similar indications.
FAQs
-
What is the main therapeutic focus of US Patent 9,802,954?
The patent covers small molecules targeting apoptosis pathways, especially for cancer treatment.
-
Can the claims be challenged based on prior art?
Yes; prior patents on IAP inhibitors and apoptosis modulators may be relevant for invalidation or designing around.
-
Is this patent applicable for drug commercialization?
The patent provides exclusivity for specific compounds and methods. Commercialization depends on FTO analysis and clinical development progress.
-
What is the main chemical scaffold claimed?
The patent claims core 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives with specific substitutions.
-
When will this patent expire?
Expected expiration around 2034, barring extensions or legal challenges.
References
[1] US Patent 9,802,954.
[2] European Patent EP 2,836,562.
[3] ArTara Therapeutics Patent Applications.
[4] Patent Landscape Reports on Apoptosis Inhibitors.
More… ↓
⤷ Start Trial
|
