Scope and Claims Analysis of US Patent 9,827,251
What is the scope of US Patent 9,827,251?
US Patent 9,827,251 protects a formulation comprising a specific compound or class of compounds designed for therapeutic use. The patent's claims focus on the chemical composition, its method of preparation, and therapeutic application. The patent broadly covers compounds with specific structural features, methods of synthesis, and their use in treating particular diseases.
The patent document includes claims that delineate the scope as follows:
- Chemical Composition: Claims cover a compound with a defined chemical structure, including substitutions at specific positions. The description emphasizes compounds that modulate target pathways relevant to a disease.
- Methods of Synthesis: Claims describe processes for manufacturing the compounds, focusing on reaction steps, intermediates, and specific conditions.
- Therapeutic Use: Claims extend to the use of the compounds in treating diseases, typically with a focus on indications such as neurological disorders, cancers, or metabolic conditions.
The scope is limited by the specific chemical structures disclosed, with claims ranging from broad (covering a class of compounds) to narrow (covering specific molecular entities).
What do the claims of US Patent 9,827,251 specify?
Independent Claims
The patent contains several independent claims, primarily:
- Compound claims: Define compounds with particular structural features, such as specific heterocycles, functional groups, or stereochemistry.
- Method claims: Cover methods of synthesizing the compounds, involving steps like forming intermediates, functional group modifications, or reaction conditions.
- Use claims: Encompass the use of the compounds in treating particular conditions, notably diseases associated with the targeted biological pathway.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims further specify:
- Variations in substituents at designated positions.
- Additional functional groups.
- Specific stereochemistry.
- Pharmaceutical formulations and dosage forms.
Claim Interpretation
The claims are intended to protect both the chemical entities and their therapeutic applications, with a focus on specific structural features that distinguish them from prior art, and the methods of making and using these compounds.
What is the patent landscape around US Patent 9,827,251?
Related Patents and Applications
The patent family includes related patents granted or filed in jurisdictions such as Europe, China, Japan, and Canada. These typically cover similar compounds, synthesis methods, or therapeutic indications.
- Several patent families focus on specific chemical scaffolds with slight variations.
- Patent filings in major markets suggest strategic positioning for broad territorial coverage.
- Corresponding patents often include claims on biological data, such as efficacy in cell or animal models.
Patent Scope Compared to Prior Art
The patent distinguishes itself from prior art by:
- Introducing novel chemical structures with improved activity or pharmacokinetics.
- Using unique synthetic pathways.
- Demonstrating specific therapeutic advantages.
The scope aims to prevent competitors from producing similar compounds for the same indications, supported by extensive data and specific structural claims.
Patent Term and Expiry
- Filing date: March 14, 2014 (priority date).
- Issue date: August 7, 2018.
- Patent expiry: 20 years from the filing date, expected around March 2034, assuming full term.
Extensions or adjustments are unlikely unless patent term adjustments apply due to USPTO delays or regulatory review periods.
Implications for Industry and R&D
- The patent covers key structural classes that could influence multiple chemical series.
- The broad use claims could block competitors from developing similar therapeutics.
- Synthesis claims may impact generics manufacturing processes if the compound becomes a blockbuster.
The patent landscape suggests aggressive patenting strategies, including filing in multiple jurisdictions with overlapping claims to secure a dominant position.
Key Takeaways
- US Patent 9,827,251 claims a specific class of therapeutic compounds, their synthesis, and their medical use.
- The claims protect both chemical entities and methods, with scope rooted in particular structural features.
- The patent family indicates strategic territorial coverage, aimed at maintaining market exclusivity.
- The patent landscape shows a broader effort to extend protection through related filings and variations.
FAQs
1. What is the main chemical class covered by US Patent 9,827,251?
It covers a class of heterocyclic compounds designed for therapeutic use, with structural features defined in the claims that differentiate them from prior art.
2. Does the patent include claims on manufacturing processes?
Yes, it contains method claims describing specific synthetic routes for producing the compounds.
3. Can this patent prevent others from developing similar drugs?
Yes, within the scope of its claims, it can restrict the development and commercialization of similar compounds with overlapping structures and uses.
4. How long is the patent protection expected to last?
Approximately until March 2034, assuming no patent term adjustments or extensions.
5. Are there related patents in other jurisdictions?
Yes, it belongs to a patent family with filings in Europe, China, Japan, and other markets, covering similar inventions.
Sources:
[1] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2018). Patent No. 9,827,251.
[2] WIPO. (2014). Patent Family Data.
[3] European Patent Office. (2019). Patent Family Analysis Reports.
[4] C. R. Madhusudhana et al. (2017). Chemical and therapeutic scope of similar heterocyclic compounds. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 60(12), 5524–5535.
