Analyzing the Scope and Claims of United States Patent 6,653,286
Introduction
United States Patent 6,653,286, titled "Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Antagonist," is a significant patent in the field of pharmaceuticals, particularly in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). This analysis will delve into the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape surrounding this invention.
Background of the Invention
The patent, granted on November 25, 2003, to Akzo Nobel NV, pertains to a method and pharmaceutical preparation useful in preventing a premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surge during COH. The invention involves the administration of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, specifically ganirelix, in combination with exogenous follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)[4].
Claims of the Patent
The patent includes four claims that outline the specific aspects of the invention:
- Claim 1: A method for preventing a premature LH surge in a woman undergoing COH, involving the administration of a GnRH antagonist and exogenous FSH.
- Claim 2: The method of Claim 1, where the GnRH antagonist is ganirelix.
- Claim 3: The method of Claim 1 or 2, where the ganirelix is administered in an amount between 0.125-1 mg.
- Claim 4: A pharmaceutical preparation for use in the method of any of the preceding claims, comprising ganirelix and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier.
These claims are crucial as they define the scope of protection for the invention, including the specific method, the use of ganirelix, and the dosage range[4].
Scope of the Patent
The scope of the patent is defined by the claims and the detailed description provided in the patent document. Here are some key aspects:
- Method of Administration: The patent describes the administration of ganirelix in combination with exogenous FSH to prevent a premature LH surge. This method is specifically tailored for women undergoing COH.
- Dosage Range: The patent specifies that ganirelix should be administered in an amount between 0.125-1 mg, which is a critical aspect of the invention.
- Pharmaceutical Preparation: The patent also covers the pharmaceutical preparation, including the formulation and the acceptable carriers that can be used.
Patent Landscape
To understand the broader patent landscape, it is essential to look at related patents and the global context.
Related Patents
The patent landscape in the field of GnRH antagonists and COH is complex, with multiple patents covering various aspects of these technologies. For instance, other patents may cover different GnRH antagonists, alternative methods of administration, or other pharmaceutical preparations. The USPTO's Patent Public Search tool and international databases such as the European Patent Office's esp@cenet and the World Intellectual Property Organization's PATENTSCOPE can be used to identify these related patents[1].
Global Context
The global patent landscape includes patents filed in various jurisdictions. The Global Dossier service provided by the USPTO allows users to see the patent family for a specific application, including related applications filed at participating IP Offices. This can help in understanding the global reach and protection of similar inventions[1].
Patent Analytics and Claim Coverage
To fully analyze the scope and claims of this patent, patent analytics tools can be invaluable. Here’s how:
- Claim Coverage Matrix: This tool helps in identifying which patents and claims are actively protecting the intellectual property related to this invention. It can highlight gaps or opportunities in the current claim coverage[5].
- Scope Concepts: Categorizing patents by claims and overarching scope concepts can provide a powerful tool for filtering, searching, and analyzing large numbers of patent claims. This approach can help in determining whether a particular scope concept is applicable to a target product or method[5].
Economic and Strategic Implications
Understanding the scope and claims of this patent has significant economic and strategic implications:
- Market Protection: The patent provides exclusive rights to Akzo Nobel NV for the specified method and pharmaceutical preparation, protecting their market position.
- Future Development: Analyzing the claims and scope can help in identifying future design opportunities and potential areas for further innovation.
- Competitive Analysis: Knowing the claims and scope of this patent can help competitors understand what is protected and what areas they can explore without infringing on existing patents.
Key Takeaways
- Specific Claims: The patent includes four specific claims that define the method, the use of ganirelix, and the dosage range.
- Scope of Protection: The scope is defined by the claims and the detailed description, covering the method of administration, dosage range, and pharmaceutical preparation.
- Patent Landscape: The broader patent landscape includes related patents and global filings, which can be analyzed using tools like the Global Dossier and patent analytics.
- Economic and Strategic Implications: Understanding the scope and claims is crucial for market protection, future development, and competitive analysis.
FAQs
Q1: What is the main invention described in United States Patent 6,653,286?
The main invention is a method and pharmaceutical preparation for preventing a premature LH surge during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) using a GnRH antagonist, specifically ganirelix, in combination with exogenous FSH.
Q2: How many claims are included in this patent?
The patent includes four claims that outline the specific aspects of the invention.
Q3: What is the dosage range specified for ganirelix in this patent?
The patent specifies that ganirelix should be administered in an amount between 0.125-1 mg.
Q4: How can patent analytics tools help in analyzing this patent?
Patent analytics tools can help in identifying which patents and claims are actively protecting the intellectual property, highlighting gaps or opportunities, and categorizing patents by claims and scope concepts.
Q5: What is the significance of the Global Dossier service in analyzing this patent?
The Global Dossier service allows users to see the patent family for a specific application, including related applications filed at participating IP Offices, providing a global perspective on the patent's protection and related filings.
Sources
- USPTO - Search for patents[1]
- Unified Patents Portal - US-7700112-B2[2]
- USPTO - Patent Claims Research Dataset[3]
- US Patent No.: US 6,653,286 B1[4]
- Patent Analytics | Intellectual Property Law[5]
