United States Patent 10,174,017: A Detailed Analysis of Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
Introduction
The United States Patent 10,174,017, titled "Dual mechanism inhibitors for the treatment of disease," is a significant patent that combines the inhibition of two distinct biological targets to treat various diseases. This analysis will delve into the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape surrounding this invention.
Patent Overview
Publication Details
The patent, numbered US10174017B2, was published on January 8, 2019. It is assigned to a specific entity, although the assignee is not specified in the provided sources. The patent application was filed on September 14, 2017, under the application number US15/924,089[4].
Invention Description
The patent describes compounds that act as dual mechanism inhibitors, targeting both rho kinase and a monoamine transporter (MAT). These compounds are designed to improve disease states or conditions by modulating the activities of these two biological targets. The invention encompasses a range of chemical compounds, their synthesis, and their therapeutic applications, particularly in treating diseases such as glaucoma, dry eye syndromes, and other ocular and neurodegenerative disorders[4].
Scope of the Patent
Therapeutic Applications
The scope of the patent is broad, covering various therapeutic applications. The compounds are intended to treat a range of diseases, including:
- Ocular Diseases: Glaucoma, ocular hypertension, and dry eye syndromes.
- Neurodegenerative Diseases: Conditions associated with the inhibition of rho kinase and MAT.
- Other Diseases: The patent also mentions the potential treatment of other diseases, disorders, signs, and symptoms related to the dual inhibition mechanism[4].
Chemical Compounds
The patent specifies a variety of chemical compounds, including isoquinoline derivatives and other related structures. These compounds are detailed in the claims section, which outlines the specific chemical structures and their therapeutic uses.
Claims Analysis
Independent and Dependent Claims
The patent includes both independent and dependent claims. Independent claims define the broad scope of the invention, while dependent claims narrow down the scope by adding specific limitations.
- Independent Claims: These claims define the core invention, such as the chemical structure of the compounds and their therapeutic uses.
- Dependent Claims: These claims build upon the independent claims, specifying particular aspects of the compounds, such as specific substituents, dosages, and administration methods[4].
Claim Structure
The claims are structured to cover various aspects of the invention:
- Compound Claims: These claims describe the chemical structure of the inhibitors.
- Method Claims: These claims outline the methods of synthesizing the compounds and their therapeutic applications.
- Use Claims: These claims specify the diseases and conditions that the compounds are intended to treat[4].
Patent Landscape
Prior Art and Citations
The patent landscape for dual mechanism inhibitors is complex, with numerous prior art citations. The Common Citation Document (CCD) application, which consolidates prior art citations from multiple patent offices, would be a valuable resource in understanding the prior art landscape for this patent[1].
Global Patent Family
The Global Dossier service provided by the USPTO allows users to view the patent family for a specific application, including related applications filed at participating IP Offices. This service helps in understanding the global scope and protection of similar inventions[1].
Competing Patents
Other patents in the field of dual mechanism inhibitors, such as those targeting G-protein receptor kinases or other biological targets, could be considered competing patents. For example, the isoquinoline compounds described in US-20100093790-A1 influence or inhibit G-protein receptor kinases, which might be relevant in the broader context of dual mechanism inhibitors[5].
Search and Analysis Tools
USPTO Resources
To conduct a thorough analysis of the patent landscape, several USPTO resources are available:
- Patent Public Search: This tool provides enhanced access to prior art and is essential for searching existing patents and published patent applications.
- Global Dossier: This service allows users to view related applications from participating IP Offices.
- Common Citation Document (CCD): This application consolidates prior art citations from multiple patent offices[1].
International Patent Databases
Searching international patent databases, such as those provided by the European Patent Office (EPO), Japan Patent Office (JPO), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is crucial for understanding the global patent landscape. These databases offer machine translations and full-text searches of published international patent applications[1].
Economic and Research Implications
Patent Claims Research Dataset
The USPTO's Patent Claims Research Dataset provides detailed information on claims from U.S. patents and applications. This dataset can be used to analyze the scope and trends of patent claims, including those related to dual mechanism inhibitors. The dataset includes claim-level statistics and document-level statistics, which can help in understanding the breadth and depth of patent protection[3].
Key Takeaways
- Dual Mechanism Inhibitors: The patent covers compounds that inhibit both rho kinase and a monoamine transporter, offering a novel therapeutic approach.
- Therapeutic Applications: The scope includes ocular and neurodegenerative diseases, among others.
- Claims Structure: The patent includes independent and dependent claims that define the chemical structures, synthesis methods, and therapeutic uses.
- Patent Landscape: The landscape is complex, with prior art citations and competing patents that need careful analysis.
- Search and Analysis Tools: Utilizing USPTO resources and international patent databases is essential for a comprehensive analysis.
FAQs
Q: What is the primary focus of United States Patent 10,174,017?
A: The primary focus is on compounds that act as dual mechanism inhibitors, targeting both rho kinase and a monoamine transporter (MAT), for the treatment of various diseases.
Q: What are the main therapeutic applications of the patented compounds?
A: The compounds are intended to treat ocular diseases such as glaucoma and dry eye syndromes, as well as neurodegenerative diseases.
Q: How can one conduct a thorough search of the patent landscape for this invention?
A: Using tools like the USPTO's Patent Public Search, Global Dossier, and Common Citation Document (CCD), along with international patent databases, is essential.
Q: What resources are available for analyzing the scope and trends of patent claims?
A: The USPTO's Patent Claims Research Dataset provides detailed information on claims from U.S. patents and applications.
Q: How do dependent claims differ from independent claims in this patent?
A: Dependent claims build upon the independent claims by adding specific limitations, such as particular substituents or administration methods.
Sources
- USPTO - Search for patents. Retrieved from https://www.uspto.gov/patents/search
- IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT. Retrieved from https://insight.rpxcorp.com/litigation_documents/14657768
- USPTO - Patent Claims Research Dataset. Retrieved from https://www.uspto.gov/ip-policy/economic-research/research-datasets/patent-claims-research-dataset
- Google Patents - Dual mechanism inhibitors for the treatment of disease. Retrieved from https://patents.google.com/patent/US10174017B2/en
- Unified Patents - Isoquinoline Compounds. Retrieved from https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/patents/patent/US-20100093790-A1
