United States Patent 11,718,627: A Detailed Analysis of Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
Introduction
The United States Patent 11,718,627, titled "Processes for the preparation of (3S,4R)-3-ethyl-4-(3H-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrrolo[2,3-e]pyrazin-8-yl)-N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxamide and solid state forms thereof," is a significant patent in the pharmaceutical sector. This analysis will delve into the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape surrounding this invention.
Patent Overview
Publication Details
- Publication Number: US11718627B2
- Authority: United States
- Prior Art Date: The patent is part of a larger family with prior art dates relevant to the development of the compound and its processes[4].
Invention Description
The patent describes processes for preparing a specific compound, (3S,4R)-3-ethyl-4-(3H-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrrolo[2,3-e]pyrazin-8-yl)-N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxamide, and its solid state forms. This compound is intended for therapeutic use in treating various medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and other autoimmune diseases[4].
Scope of the Patent
Therapeutic Applications
The patent covers a wide range of therapeutic applications for the compound, including:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: A chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects joints.
- Psoriasis: An autoimmune skin condition characterized by red, itchy patches.
- Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: Inflammatory bowel diseases.
- Psoriatic Arthritis: A form of arthritis that affects people with psoriasis.
- Alopecia Areata: An autoimmune condition causing hair loss.
- Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A chronic skin condition characterized by painful, inflamed bumps.
- Atopic Dermatitis: A chronic skin condition causing dry, itchy skin.
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A chronic autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body[4].
Solid State Forms
The patent also covers various solid state forms of the compound, which are crucial for pharmaceutical formulations. These forms can include crystalline and amorphous states, each with different properties that can affect the drug's stability, solubility, and bioavailability[4].
Claims Analysis
Independent Claims
The patent includes several independent claims that define the scope of the invention. These claims typically cover:
- The compound itself: Specific chemical structure and stereochemistry.
- Processes for preparation: Detailed methods for synthesizing the compound.
- Solid state forms: Different physical forms of the compound.
- Pharmaceutical compositions: Formulations containing the compound for therapeutic use[4].
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims further narrow down the scope by specifying particular aspects of the independent claims, such as:
- Specific synthesis steps: Detailed procedures for preparing the compound.
- Particular solid state forms: Characteristics of the crystalline or amorphous forms.
- Therapeutic uses: Specific conditions treated by the compound[4].
Patent Landscape
Competing Patents
The patent landscape in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly for autoimmune disease treatments, is highly competitive. Other patents may cover similar compounds or processes, necessitating a thorough search to identify prior art and potential infringements. Tools like the USPTO's Patent Public Search and international databases such as the European Patent Office's esp@cenet and the World Intellectual Property Organization's PATENTSCOPE can be used to conduct comprehensive searches[1].
Patent Analytics
To navigate this complex landscape, companies often use patent analytics tools. These tools help in tracking patents by claims and scope concepts, identifying gaps or opportunities in intellectual property protection, and generating claim charts to review patent coverage with technical experts. This approach ensures that the company's patents effectively protect their technology and highlights future design opportunities[3].
Global Patent Family
International Filings
The patent is part of a global patent family, with filings in multiple jurisdictions. The Global Dossier service provided by the USPTO allows users to view the file histories of related applications from participating IP Offices, including the IP5 Offices (USPTO, EPO, JPO, KIPO, and CNIPA). This service helps in understanding the global protection and status of the patent[1].
Legal and Regulatory Considerations
Office Actions and Citations
The Common Citation Document (CCD) application consolidates prior art cited by all participating offices for the family members of a patent application. This helps in identifying potential issues and office actions that may affect the patent's validity or scope[1].
Patent Assignments and Ownership
Changes in ownership or assignments of the patent can be tracked using the Patent Assignment Search website. This is crucial for ensuring that the current owner has the rights to the patent and for identifying any potential disputes or transfers[1].
Key Takeaways
- Therapeutic Scope: The patent covers a broad range of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.
- Solid State Forms: Different physical forms of the compound are protected, which is important for pharmaceutical formulations.
- Global Protection: The patent is part of a global family with filings in multiple jurisdictions.
- Competitive Landscape: The pharmaceutical sector is highly competitive, requiring thorough patent searches and analytics.
- Legal Considerations: Tracking office actions, citations, and ownership changes is essential for maintaining patent validity and rights.
FAQs
Q: What is the main compound described in US Patent 11,718,627?
A: The main compound is (3S,4R)-3-ethyl-4-(3H-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrrolo[2,3-e]pyrazin-8-yl)-N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxamide.
Q: What are the therapeutic applications of the compound?
A: The compound is intended for treating conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other autoimmune diseases.
Q: How can one search for similar patents globally?
A: Tools like the USPTO's Patent Public Search, European Patent Office's esp@cenet, and the World Intellectual Property Organization's PATENTSCOPE can be used to conduct global patent searches.
Q: What is the significance of solid state forms in pharmaceuticals?
A: Solid state forms are crucial for pharmaceutical formulations as they affect the drug's stability, solubility, and bioavailability.
Q: How can companies manage their patent landscape effectively?
A: Companies can use patent analytics tools to track patents by claims and scope concepts, identify gaps or opportunities, and generate claim charts to review patent coverage.
Sources
- USPTO - Search for patents: https://www.uspto.gov/patents/search
- Unified Patents Portal - US-20240317770-A1: https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/patents/patent/US-20240317770-A1
- SLWIP - Patent Analytics: https://www.slwip.com/services/patent-analytics/
- Google Patents - US11718627B2: https://patents.google.com/patent/US11718627B2/en
- Unified Patents Portal - US-7772231-B2: https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/patents/patent/US-7772231-B2
