United States Patent 3,669,966: A Detailed Analysis of Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
Introduction
United States Patent 3,669,966, titled "Pyrazine derivatives and process for their preparation," was granted on June 13, 1972, to inventors Vittorio Ambrogi and Willy Logemann, and assigned to Carlo Erba S.p.A., Milan, Italy. This patent is significant in the field of pharmaceuticals, particularly for its contribution to the development of hypoglycemic agents.
Background and Context
The patent revolves around the introduction of a pyrazine ring into benzenesulphonylurea compounds, resulting in pyrazine derivatives with hypoglycemic properties. This innovation was part of a broader effort to develop new oral anti-diabetic agents in the early 1970s.
Scope of the Patent
Invention Overview
The patent describes the synthesis and properties of pyrazine derivatives, which are compounds where a pyrazine ring is incorporated into benzenesulphonylurea molecules. These derivatives are designed to exhibit hypoglycemic activity, making them potential treatments for diabetes[4].
Chemical Structure and Synthesis
The patent details two different processes for preparing these pyrazine derivatives. The first process involves reacting a compound of a specific formula to introduce the pyrazine ring, while the second process involves alternative reactants and conditions to achieve the same outcome. The chemical structures of these compounds are defined, including the possible substitutions and modifications to the pyrazine and benzenesulphonylurea moieties[4].
Claims of the Patent
Independent Claims
The patent includes several independent claims that define the scope of the invention. These claims specify the chemical structure of the pyrazine derivatives, including the types of substituents allowed on the pyrazine ring and the benzenesulphonylurea part of the molecule. For example, the claims specify that R, R', and R'' can be independently selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, amino, and acetylamino, among others[4].
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims further narrow down the scope by specifying particular combinations of substituents or specific processes for preparing the compounds. These claims ensure that the patent covers a range of variations within the defined chemical structures.
Patent Landscape
Prior Art and References
The patent cites several prior art references, including U.S. Patents 3,504,464 and 3,573,305, which relate to similar compounds and synthesis methods. These references indicate that the inventors built upon existing knowledge in the field to create their novel pyrazine derivatives[4].
International Patent Family
To understand the global reach of this invention, one would need to look into the patent family, which includes related applications filed in other countries. Tools like the Global Dossier provided by the USPTO can help in identifying the patent family and accessing file histories from participating IP offices[1].
Competing Patents and Innovations
The landscape of anti-diabetic agents has evolved significantly since the grant of this patent. Other patents, such as those related to novel galenic preparation forms for oral anti-diabetic agents (e.g., US-4696815-A), have contributed to the development of more effective and targeted treatments for diabetes[5].
Legal Status and Expiration
The patent has expired, as indicated by its legal status. This means that the protected intellectual property is now in the public domain, and the described pyrazine derivatives can be freely used and modified without infringing on the original patent[4].
Impact and Legacy
Pharmaceutical Industry
The invention described in this patent has contributed to the development of new hypoglycemic agents. Although the specific compounds may not be widely used today, the research and innovation sparked by this patent have paved the way for more advanced treatments for diabetes.
Research and Development
The detailed synthesis methods and chemical structures provided in the patent serve as a foundation for further research in pharmaceutical chemistry. Researchers can build upon this work to develop new compounds with improved properties.
Search and Analysis Tools
For those interested in conducting a thorough analysis of this patent and its place in the broader patent landscape, several tools are available:
- Patent Public Search: This tool provided by the USPTO allows for comprehensive searches of prior art and related patents[1].
- Global Dossier: This service provides access to the file histories of related applications from participating IP offices, helping to identify the global patent family[1].
- Common Citation Document (CCD): This application consolidates citation data from multiple IP offices, facilitating a more integrated view of the global patent landscape[1].
Key Takeaways
- Patent Scope: The patent covers pyrazine derivatives with hypoglycemic properties, detailing their synthesis and chemical structures.
- Claims: The patent includes independent and dependent claims that specify the allowed substituents and synthesis processes.
- Patent Landscape: The invention is part of a broader landscape of anti-diabetic agents, with prior art and competing patents influencing its significance.
- Legal Status: The patent has expired, making the described compounds freely available for use.
- Impact: The patent has contributed to the development of new treatments for diabetes and serves as a foundation for further research.
FAQs
Q: What is the main subject of United States Patent 3,669,966?
A: The main subject is the synthesis and properties of pyrazine derivatives with hypoglycemic properties.
Q: Who are the inventors of this patent?
A: The inventors are Vittorio Ambrogi and Willy Logemann.
Q: What is the current legal status of this patent?
A: The patent has expired.
Q: How can one access related international patent applications?
A: Using the Global Dossier service provided by the USPTO.
Q: What tools can be used to analyze the patent landscape related to this invention?
A: Tools such as Patent Public Search, Global Dossier, and Common Citation Document (CCD) can be used.
Sources
- USPTO - Search for patents: https://www.uspto.gov/patents/search
- Google Patents - US20050019412: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20050019412
- USPTO - Patent Claims Research Dataset: https://www.uspto.gov/ip-policy/economic-research/research-datasets/patent-claims-research-dataset
- Google Patents - US3669966A: https://patents.google.com/patent/US3669966A/en
- Unified Patents Portal - US-4696815-A: https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/patents/patent/US-4696815-A
