Understanding the Scope and Claims of United States Patent 7,141,581
Introduction
United States Patent 7,141,581, titled "Indazole compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting protein kinases, and methods for their use," is a significant patent in the field of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the treatment of diseases mediated by kinase activity. Here, we will delve into the details of the patent's scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape.
Patent Overview
Publication Number and Authority
The patent, US7141581B2, was granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and is categorized under the authority of the United States[4].
Prior Art and Classification
Prior Art Keywords
The patent involves compounds and methods related to cancer treatment, among other disease states. Key prior art keywords include "cancer," "formula," "compounds," "heteroaryl," and "substituted"[4].
Classification
The patent is classified under various categories within the International Patent Classification (IPC) system, including C07D401/00 and C07D403/00, which pertain to heterocyclic compounds containing nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms[4].
Claims
Independent and Dependent Claims
The patent includes a set of independent and dependent claims that define the scope of the invention. Independent claims typically stand alone and define the broadest scope of the invention, while dependent claims narrow down the scope by adding additional limitations.
For example, the patent claims indazole compounds that inhibit the activity of certain protein kinases, such as CHK1 and FAK, which are involved in cell motility, cellular proliferation, and survival. These claims also cover pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and methods for their therapeutic or prophylactic use[4].
Scope of the Patent
Patent Scope Metrics
The scope of a patent can be measured using various metrics, such as independent claim length and independent claim count. These metrics are crucial in assessing the breadth and clarity of the patent claims. Research has shown that narrower claims at publication are associated with a higher probability of grant and a shorter examination process[5].
In the case of US7141581B2, the claims are specific to indazole compounds and their use in inhibiting protein kinases. The scope is defined by the chemical structures of the compounds, their pharmaceutical compositions, and the methods for their use.
Therapeutic Applications
Disease States
The patent is directed towards treating diseases mediated by kinase activity, such as cancer, and other disease states associated with unwanted angiogenesis and/or cellular proliferation. The compounds are designed to inhibit specific kinases, such as CHK1 and FAK, which play critical roles in these disease processes[4].
Examination Process
Narrowing of Claims
During the patent examination process, the scope of the claims may be narrowed to ensure clarity and validity. Studies have shown that the examination process tends to narrow the scope of patent claims in terms of both claim length and claim count, especially when the duration of examination is longer[5].
International Patent Landscape
Global Dossier and International Search
To understand the global patent landscape, tools like the Global Dossier provided by the USPTO can be useful. This service allows users to see the patent family for a specific application, including related applications filed at participating IP Offices, along with dossier, classification, and citation data[1].
Search and Analysis Tools
Patent Public Search and Other Resources
For conducting a thorough search and analysis of patents, tools such as the Patent Public Search, European Patent Office's esp@cenet, and the World Intellectual Property Organization's PATENTSCOPE can be utilized. These resources provide access to prior art, citation data, and other relevant information[1].
Economic and Legal Implications
Patent Quality and Innovation
The quality and scope of patents, such as US7141581B2, have significant implications for innovation and economic activity. Broader or overly broad patents can lead to increased licensing and litigation costs, potentially diminishing incentives for innovation. Therefore, metrics like independent claim length and count are important in evaluating patent quality[5].
Conclusion
United States Patent 7,141,581 is a detailed and specific patent that covers indazole compounds and their use in pharmaceutical compositions. Understanding its scope and claims is crucial for navigating the patent landscape, especially in the context of therapeutic applications and global intellectual property strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Specific Claims: The patent includes specific claims related to indazole compounds and their use in inhibiting protein kinases.
- Therapeutic Applications: The patent is directed towards treating diseases mediated by kinase activity, such as cancer.
- Patent Scope Metrics: Metrics like independent claim length and count are important in evaluating the breadth and clarity of the patent claims.
- Global Patent Landscape: Tools like the Global Dossier and international patent databases are essential for understanding the broader patent landscape.
- Economic Implications: The quality and scope of patents have significant implications for innovation and economic activity.
FAQs
What is the main subject of United States Patent 7,141,581?
The main subject of US7141581B2 is indazole compounds and their use in pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting protein kinases, particularly in treating diseases like cancer.
How can the scope of a patent be measured?
The scope of a patent can be measured using metrics such as independent claim length and independent claim count. These metrics help in assessing the breadth and clarity of the patent claims.
What are the therapeutic applications of the compounds described in US7141581B2?
The compounds are used in treating diseases mediated by kinase activity, such as cancer, and other disease states associated with unwanted angiogenesis and/or cellular proliferation.
How does the examination process affect the scope of patent claims?
The examination process tends to narrow the scope of patent claims in terms of both claim length and claim count, especially when the duration of examination is longer.
What tools are available for searching and analyzing patents globally?
Tools such as the Patent Public Search, Global Dossier, European Patent Office's esp@cenet, and the World Intellectual Property Organization's PATENTSCOPE are available for searching and analyzing patents globally.
Sources
- USPTO - Search for patents: https://www.uspto.gov/patents/search
- ACUS - U.S. Patent Small Claims Court: https://www.acus.gov/research-projects/us-patent-small-claims-court
- USPTO - Patent Claims Research Dataset: https://www.uspto.gov/ip-policy/economic-research/research-datasets/patent-claims-research-dataset
- Google Patents - US7141581B2: https://patents.google.com/patent/US7141581B2/en
- SSRN - Patent Claims and Patent Scope: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2844964
