United States Patent 4,591,592: A Detailed Analysis
Overview of the Patent
United States Patent 4,591,592, titled "ACID STABILIZED COMPOSITIONS OF THENO-PYRIDINE DERIVED COMPOUNDS," was granted on May 27, 1986, to inventor Zaka-ud-Din T. Chowhan, with Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc. as the assignee. This patent pertains to the stabilization of pharmaceutical compositions containing acid salts of thieno pyridine derivatives.
Background of the Invention
The invention addresses the need for stabilizing pharmaceutical compositions, particularly those containing thieno pyridine derivatives. These compounds are often unstable and prone to degradation, which can affect their efficacy and shelf life. The background section highlights the common practice of combining drugs with other ingredients to facilitate manufacture, application, and packaging, while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining the stability of the composition[2].
Summary of the Invention
The patent describes a method for stabilizing pharmaceutical compositions using a pharmaceutically acceptable, non-volatile organic acid, specifically citric acid. This stabilization is crucial for maintaining the unit dose and preventing any adverse effects that could arise from the degradation of the drug. The invention involves combining the thieno pyridine derivatives with citric acid to achieve this stability[2].
Claims
The patent includes five claims that outline the scope of the invention:
- Claim 1: Describes the composition comprising a thieno pyridine derivative and a pharmaceutically acceptable, non-volatile organic acid.
- Claim 2: Specifies the use of citric acid as the stabilizing agent.
- Claim 3: Details the method of preparing the stabilized composition.
- Claim 4: Describes the pharmaceutical formulation, including the dosage form.
- Claim 5: Outlines the therapeutic use of the stabilized composition.
These claims collectively define the boundaries of the invention and what is protected under the patent[2].
Prior Art
The prior art section discusses the existing methods and challenges in stabilizing pharmaceutical compositions. It highlights the need for a more effective and reliable method to maintain the stability of thieno pyridine derivatives, which the current invention addresses[2].
Technical Field
The patent falls under the technical field of pharmaceutical compositions, specifically in the area of stabilizing acid salts of thieno pyridine derivatives. This field is critical in the development of drugs that require long-term stability to maintain their therapeutic efficacy.
Industry Impact
The stabilization of pharmaceutical compositions is a significant advancement in the pharmaceutical industry. It ensures that drugs remain effective over their shelf life, which is crucial for patient safety and treatment outcomes. This invention could have influenced the development of similar stabilization methods in other pharmaceutical formulations.
Patent Landscape
Global Patent Trends
While this patent is specific to the United States, the broader patent landscape shows a significant trend in pharmaceutical patenting. The USPTO data indicates that pharmaceuticals and biotechnology are among the top areas for university patenting, with a notable increase in patent activity from various countries, including the United States, Japan, and the European Union[1].
Competitive Landscape
The competitive landscape in pharmaceutical patenting is highly active, with major companies like IBM, Samsung, Canon, Qualcomm, and Google leading in patent grants. However, in the pharmaceutical sector, companies like Syntex (now part of Roche) have been key players in developing and protecting intellectual property related to drug formulations and stabilization methods[1].
Search and Analysis Tools
For researchers and inventors, tools like the USPTO's Patent Public Search, Global Dossier, and Common Citation Document (CCD) are essential for conducting thorough patent searches and analyzing the patent landscape. These tools provide access to prior art, patent family information, and citation data, which are vital for understanding the scope and claims of existing patents like 4,591,592[4].
Economic and Statistical Insights
The USPTO's economic research datasets, such as the Patent Claims Research Dataset, offer detailed information on claims from US patents and applications. These datasets can provide insights into patent scope and trends, which are useful for analyzing the economic impact of patents like 4,591,592[3].
Key Takeaways
- Stabilization Method: The patent introduces a method for stabilizing thieno pyridine derivatives using citric acid.
- Pharmaceutical Impact: This invention is significant for maintaining the efficacy and shelf life of pharmaceutical compositions.
- Industry Relevance: The patent is part of a broader trend in pharmaceutical patenting, particularly in the stabilization of drug formulations.
- Competitive Landscape: Major pharmaceutical companies are active in patenting similar innovations.
- Search and Analysis: Advanced tools are available for conducting thorough patent searches and analyzing the patent landscape.
FAQs
Q: What is the main purpose of United States Patent 4,591,592?
A: The main purpose is to stabilize pharmaceutical compositions containing thieno pyridine derivatives using a non-volatile organic acid like citric acid.
Q: Who is the inventor and assignee of this patent?
A: The inventor is Zaka-ud-Din T. Chowhan, and the assignee is Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
Q: What are the key claims of this patent?
A: The patent includes five claims that describe the composition, method of preparation, and therapeutic use of the stabilized pharmaceutical composition.
Q: How does this patent fit into the broader patent landscape?
A: It is part of the significant trend in pharmaceutical patenting, particularly in the stabilization of drug formulations, and reflects the competitive activity in this field.
Q: What tools can be used to analyze the scope and claims of this patent?
A: Tools like the USPTO's Patent Public Search, Global Dossier, and Common Citation Document (CCD) are useful for conducting thorough patent searches and analyzing the patent landscape.
Cited Sources
- National Science Foundation, "Invention, Knowledge Transfer, and Innovation," Chapter 8, NSB 2018-1.
- United States Patent and Trademark Office, "United States Patent 4,591,592," Google APIs.
- United States Patent and Trademark Office, "Patent Claims Research Dataset."
- United States Patent and Trademark Office, "Search for patents."
