Details for Patent: 4,444,779

Summary for Patent: 4,444,779

Title:	Thiazolidine derivatives
Abstract:	Thiazolidine derivatives of the general formula: ##STR1## [wherein R.sup.1 is alkyl, cycloalkyl, phenylalkyl, phenyl, a five- or six-membered heterocyclic group including one or two hetero-atoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur or a group of the formula ##STR2## (where R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are the same or different and each is lower alkyl or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are combined to each other either directly or as interrupted by a hetero-atom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur to form a five- or six-membered ring); R.sup.2 means a bond or a lower alkylene group; L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 are the same or different and each is lower alkyl or L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 are combined to form an alkylene group, provided that when R.sup.1 is other than alkyl, L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 may further be hydrogen, respectively] are novel compounds and useful as, for example, remedies for diabetes, hyperlipemia and so on of mammals including human beings.
Inventor(s):	Kawamatsu; Yutaka (Kyoto, JP), Fujita; Takeshi (Takarazuka, JP)
Assignee:	Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. (Osaka, JP)
Application Number:	06/476,017
Patent Claim Types: see list of patent claims	Compound; Composition;

Analyzing the Scope and Claims of United States Patent 4,444,779

Introduction

United States Patent 4,444,779, titled "Thiazolidine derivatives," is a significant patent in the field of pharmaceuticals, particularly for its contributions to the development of compounds with hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities. This analysis will delve into the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape surrounding this invention.

Patent Overview

Patent Number and Title:

• US4444779A - Thiazolidine derivatives

Publication Date and Filing History:

• The patent was filed on July 27, 1979, as part of a series of divisional applications, with the earliest being Ser. No. 62,512, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,200[2].

Inventors and Assignees:

• While the specific inventors and assignees are not detailed in the provided sources, it is common for such patents to be assigned to pharmaceutical companies or research institutions.

Scope of the Invention

The invention pertains to novel thiazolidine derivatives that exhibit hypolipidemic (reducing lipid levels in the blood) and hypoglycemic (reducing blood sugar levels) activities. These compounds are designed to have low toxicity, making them potential candidates for therapeutic use.

Key Features:

• The thiazolidine derivatives are characterized by a specific general formula, which includes various substituents that contribute to their biological activities[2].

Claims

The claims of a patent are crucial as they define the scope of protection granted to the inventor.

Independent and Dependent Claims:

• The patent includes both independent and dependent claims. Independent claims define the broadest scope of the invention, while dependent claims narrow down the scope by adding additional limitations.
• For example, Claim 1 might define the general structure of the thiazolidine derivatives, while subsequent claims might specify particular substituents or combinations thereof[2].

Claim Analysis:

• The claims would typically include descriptions of the chemical structure, the process of synthesizing the compounds, and any specific uses or applications of the thiazolidine derivatives.
• Understanding the dependency relationship between claims is essential, as it helps in identifying the core invention and its variations.

Patent Landscape

The patent landscape surrounding US4444779A involves several key aspects:

Prior Art and Related Patents:

• The patent is part of a series of divisional applications, indicating a continuous development and refinement of the thiazolidine derivatives. Prior art includes earlier patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,200 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,605[2].

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 be useful in this regard[1].

Competing Patents:

• Other patents in the same field, such as those related to anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic compounds, would be part of the competitive landscape. For instance, US-5053420-A, which also deals with thiazolidine compounds for medical use, could be a relevant comparison[5].

Search and Analysis Tools

Several tools and resources are available for conducting a thorough analysis of the patent landscape:

USPTO Resources:

• The USPTO's Patent Public Search tool and the Global Dossier service are invaluable for searching prior art and understanding the international patent family[1].

International Databases:

• Databases from other international intellectual property offices, such as the European Patent Office (EPO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), provide access to global patent collections and machine translations of patents[1].

Patent Claims Research Dataset:

• The USPTO's Patent Claims Research Dataset can offer detailed insights into the claims and scope of patents, including statistical analysis and dependency relationships between claims[3].

Legal Status and Expiration

Current Status:

• The patent has expired, as indicated by its legal status. This means that the exclusive rights granted to the patent holder have lapsed, and the invention is now in the public domain[2].

Impact and Applications

The thiazolidine derivatives described in US4444779A have significant implications for medical treatment:

Therapeutic Uses:

• These compounds are designed to treat conditions related to high blood lipid levels and diabetes, making them important in the field of endocrinology and cardiovascular health[2].

Research and Development:

• The invention has likely influenced subsequent research in pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of new anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic drugs.

Conclusion

United States Patent 4,444,779 represents a crucial milestone in the development of thiazolidine derivatives with therapeutic applications. Understanding the scope, claims, and broader patent landscape is essential for researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and legal professionals involved in intellectual property.

Key Takeaways

• Scope of Invention: The patent covers novel thiazolidine derivatives with hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities.
• Claims Analysis: Independent and dependent claims define the invention's scope, including chemical structures and synthesis processes.
• Patent Landscape: The patent is part of a series of divisional applications and has international counterparts.
• Tools and Resources: USPTO resources, international databases, and the Patent Claims Research Dataset are vital for analysis.
• Legal Status: The patent has expired, making the invention public domain.

FAQs

1. What is the main subject of US4444779A?

   • The main subject is novel thiazolidine derivatives with hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities.

2. How can I search for related patents internationally?

   • Use tools like the Global Dossier, EPO's esp@cenet, and WIPO's PATENTSCOPE to search international patent databases[1].

3. What is the current legal status of US4444779A?

   • The patent has expired, meaning it is no longer under exclusive rights and is in the public domain[2].

4. What resources can I use to analyze patent claims in detail?

   • The USPTO's Patent Claims Research Dataset and the Patent Public Search tool are useful resources for detailed claim analysis[1][3].

5. How do thiazolidine derivatives impact medical treatment?

   • These compounds are designed to treat conditions related to high blood lipid levels and diabetes, making them significant in endocrinology and cardiovascular health[2].

Drugs Protected by US Patent 4,444,779

Applicant	Tradename	Generic Name	Dosage	NDA	Approval Date	TE	Type	RLD	RS	Patent No.	Patent Expiration	Product	Substance	Delist Req.	Patented / Exclusive Use	Submissiondate
No data available in table

Foreign Priority and PCT Information for Patent: 4,444,779

Foriegn Application Priority Data
Foreign Country	Foreign Patent Number	Foreign Patent Date
Japan	53-95673	Aug 4, 1978

International Family Members for US Patent 4,444,779

Country	Patent Number	Estimated Expiration	Supplementary Protection Certificate	SPC Country	SPC Expiration
Canada	1131644
Denmark	149023
Denmark	325079
European Patent Office	0008203
Germany	2963585
Spain	483077
Spain	8102107