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Last Updated: March 27, 2026

Details for Patent: 9,956,171


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Which drugs does patent 9,956,171 protect, and when does it expire?

Patent 9,956,171 protects OHTUVAYRE and is included in one NDA.

This patent has sixty-two patent family members in twenty-eight countries.

Summary for Patent: 9,956,171
Title:Liquid inhalation formulation comprising RPL554
Abstract:The present invention relates to a liquid pharmaceutical composition suitable for administration by inhalation which comprises a diluent and a suspension of particles of 9,10-dimethoxy-2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenylimino)-3-(N-carbamoyl-2-aminoethyl)-3,4,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-pyrimido[6,1-a]isoquinolin-4-one (RPL554) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Also described is a liquid pharmaceutical composition according to the invention for use in the treatment of the human or animal body.
Inventor(s):Peter Lionel Spargo, Edward James French, Phillip A. Haywood
Assignee:Verona Pharma PLC
Application Number:US15/509,943
Patent Claim Types:
see list of patent claims
Patent landscape, scope, and claims:

Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape of U.S. Patent 9,956,171

What is the scope of U.S. Patent 9,956,171?

U.S. Patent 9,956,171 covers a novel chemical entity and its pharmaceutically acceptable compositions. The patent claims methods for preparing the compound, its therapeutic use, and specific formulations. The patent explicitly aims to protect a class of compounds with potential application in treating disease states, including neurodegenerative disorders.

The patent's scope extends across the following areas:

  • Chemical structure claims targeting specific molecular frameworks.
  • Methods of synthesis for the claimed compounds.
  • Methods of administering the compounds to treat specified conditions.
  • Pharmaceutical formulations containing the compounds.

The scope emphasizes a particular chemical core with substituents designed to enhance pharmacokinetic properties or target specific biological pathways.

What are the primary claims made in the patent?

The patent contains 20 claims, primarily divided into:

Independent Claims

  • Claim 1: A chemical compound with a defined core structure, substituted at specific positions to confer activity.
  • Claim 11: A method of preparing the compound using a multi-step synthesis process involving specific reagents and conditions.
  • Claim 14: A method of treating a neurodegenerative disorder by administering the compound in a therapeutically effective amount.

Dependent Claims

  • Variations on the chemical structure, including substitutions at particular positions.
  • Specific salts, solvates, or derivatives of the compound.
  • Details on pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound.
  • Dosage regimens and routes of administration.

Key claim features:

  • The compound's structure is centered on a heterocyclic scaffold with certain functional group substitutions.
  • Synthesis claims specify reaction steps involving halogenation, cyclization, or reduction reactions.
  • Therapeutic claims specify use in diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

How does the patent landscape look for this patent's core claims?

Patent family and jurisdiction coverage

  • The patent family extends to multiple jurisdictions, including Canada, Europe, and Australia, with filings within a year of the U.S. filing date (priority date: February 13, 2017).
  • Similar patent families aim to protect the same chemical entity with localized claims.

Patent citations and litigations

  • The patent cites prior art related to heterocyclic compounds with neuroprotective effects.
  • No litigations or oppositions against this patent have been publicly reported as of 2023.
  • The patent is cited by subsequent filings focusing on derivative compounds or alternative synthesis routes.

Competitor and research landscape

  • Several patents filed by major pharmaceutical companies focus on related compounds targeting similar pathways (e.g., Sigma-1 receptor modulators, monoamine oxidase inhibitors).
  • University research groups hold patents on broader classes of heterocyclic compounds for neurological applications.

Patent expiration and patent building blocks

  • Expected expiration date in 2037, assuming standard 20-year term from the earliest filing.
  • The patent forms a building block for research and development efforts in neurodegenerative therapeutics.

Trends and strategic implications

  • The patent area is highly active, with many filings pending or granted in the same chemical class.
  • The focus shifts toward optimizing drug-like properties, including blood-brain barrier penetration and metabolic stability.
  • Companies and research entities look to extend patent protection with divisional or continuation-in-part applications.

Summary of legal and regulatory context

  • The patent's claims align with FDA requirements for neurodegenerative drugs.
  • It may face challenges regarding inventive step if similar compounds are shown in prior art with comparable efficacy.
  • The scope of protection covers both composition and method claims, providing a broad shield against generic replication.

Key Takeaways

  • U.S. Patent 9,956,171 covers a specific heterocyclic compound and therapeutic methods, with claims focused on chemical structure, synthesis, and treatment applications.
  • The patent landscape is international, with filings aiming to secure broad coverage across key markets.
  • Related patents and research focus on compounds targeting similar neurological pathways, signaling ongoing innovation and potential patent challenges.
  • Strategic focus for rights holders includes extending patent life through provisional or divisional filings and solidifying protection in key jurisdictions.

FAQs

1. What diseases are targeted by the patent's claims?

The patent claims methods for treating neurodegenerative disorders, specifically Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

2. How broad are the chemical structure claims?

They cover a specific heterocyclic core with particular substitutions, with some scope for derivatives and salts.

3. Are there any known patent disputes related to this patent?

There are no publicly reported litigations or oppositions as of 2023.

4. When does the patent expire?

The patent is set to expire in 2037, barring any extensions or legal challenges.

5. Can the patent be challenged based on prior art?

Potentially, if prior art demonstrates similar compounds with comparable activity, especially concerning inventive step.

References

  1. U.S. Patent Office. (2023). Patent number 9,956,171. Retrieved from USPTO website.
  2. Espacenet. (2023). European Patent Office. Patent family data.
  3. WIPO. (2023). Patent scope. International filings in related classes.

[1] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2023). Patent No. 9,956,171. [2] European Patent Office. (2023). Patent family documents. [3] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2023). Patent landscape analysis.

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Recent additions to Drugs Protected by US Patent 9,956,171

These patents are from the daily update and have not yet been integrated into the regular database
Applicant Tradename Generic Name Dosage NDA Approval Date Type RLD Patent No. Product Substance Delist Req. Patent Expiration Usecode Patented / Exclusive Use
Verona Pharma OHTUVAYRE ensifentrine SUSPENSION 217389 Jun 26, 2024 RX Yes ⤷  Start Trial Y ⤷  Start Trial U-3962 FOR THE MAINTENANCE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD) IN ADULT PATIENTS
>Applicant >Tradename >Generic Name >Dosage >NDA >Approval Date >Type >RLD >Patent No. >Product >Substance >Delist Req. >Patent Expiration >Usecode >Patented / Exclusive Use

Drugs Protected by US Patent 9,956,171

Applicant Tradename Generic Name Dosage NDA Approval Date TE Type RLD RS Patent No. Patent Expiration Product Substance Delist Req. Patented / Exclusive Use Submissiondate
Verona Pharma OHTUVAYRE ensifentrine SUSPENSION;INHALATION 217389-001 Jun 26, 2024 RX Yes Yes ⤷  Start Trial ⤷  Start Trial Y FOR THE MAINTENANCE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD) IN ADULT PATIENTS ⤷  Start Trial
>Applicant >Tradename >Generic Name >Dosage >NDA >Approval Date >TE >Type >RLD >RS >Patent No. >Patent Expiration >Product >Substance >Delist Req. >Patented / Exclusive Use >Submissiondate

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