Details for Patent: 7,326,696

Summary for Patent: 7,326,696

Title:	Amino-methyl substituted tetracycline compounds
Abstract:	Aminomethyl substituted tetracycline compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of use thereof are discussed.
Inventor(s):	Nelson; Mark L. (Norfolk, MA), Ohemeng; Kwasi (Norwood, MA), Frechette; Roger (Reading, MA), Abato; Paul (Providence, RI), Amoo; Victor (Daphne, AL), Assefa; Haregewein (Braintree, MA), Berniac; Joel (Stoneham, MA), Bhatia; Beena (Mansfield, MA), Bowser; Todd (Charlton, MA), Chen; Jackson (Brookline, MA), Honeyman; Laura (Roslindale, MA), Ismail; Mohamed Y. (Bedford, MA), Kim; Oak (Cambridge, MA), Mechiche; Rachid (South Boston, MA), Reddy; N. Laxma (Solon, OH), Verma; Atul K. (Mansfield, MA), Viski; Peter (Asharoken, NY), Warchol; Tadeusz (Northborough, MA), Yanachkov; Ivan (Newton, MA)
Assignee:	Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Boston, MA)
Application Number:	10/737,361
Patent Claim Types: see list of patent claims	Composition; Compound;

Understanding the Scope and Claims of United States Patent 7,326,696

Introduction

United States Patent 7,326,696, like any other patent, is a complex document that outlines the intellectual property rights of an invention. To fully comprehend its significance, it is crucial to delve into the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape it inhabits.

Patent Overview

• Patent Number: 7,326,696
• Issue Date: This information is not provided in the sources, but it can be found through the USPTO database.
• Inventor/Assignee: Details about the inventor and assignee are typically found in the patent document itself and can be accessed through the USPTO website.

Scope of the Patent

The scope of a patent is defined by its claims, which are the legally binding descriptions of the invention. Here are some key points to consider:

Claims Analysis

• Claim Types: Patents can have various types of claims, including independent and dependent claims. Independent claims stand alone and define the invention, while dependent claims refer back to and further limit the independent claims[3].
• Claim Language: The language used in the claims is critical. It must be precise and clear to define the boundaries of the invention. Any ambiguity can lead to disputes during litigation or when assessing infringement[1].

Claim Coverage and Scope Concepts

To understand the coverage of the patent, it is helpful to use tools like a Claim Coverage Matrix and scope concepts.

Claim Coverage Matrix

• This matrix helps in identifying which patents and claims are actively protecting the intellectual property. It categorizes patents not only by claims but also by overarching scope concepts, making it easier to filter, search, and analyze large numbers of patent claims[3].

Scope Concepts

• Scope concepts provide a powerful categorization tool. They link claims on similar patents, helping to determine whether a particular scope concept is applicable to a target product or method. This approach is particularly useful in identifying gaps in current coverage and highlighting future design opportunities[3].

Patent Landscape

The patent landscape includes all relevant patents and intellectual property related to the invention.

Competitor Patents

• Analyzing competitor patents helps in understanding the competitive environment. This involves identifying similar patents, their claims, and the technologies they cover. Tools like ClaimScape® software can generate interactive claim charts to facilitate this analysis[3].

Gaps and Opportunities

• Identifying gaps in the current patent coverage is crucial. This can be done by reviewing the claim charts and scope concepts to determine areas where additional protection may be needed. It also highlights potential future design opportunities and directions for innovation[3].

Anticipation and Obviousness

When evaluating the validity of a patent, two key concepts are anticipation and obviousness.

Anticipation

• A patent claim is anticipated if the prior art discloses every element of the claimed invention. For a generic disclosure to anticipate a later-claimed species, it must lead to a genus small enough that a person of ordinary skill in the art would at once envisage the claimed species[1].

Obviousness

• A claim is unpatentable if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art. The analysis must include articulated reasoning with some rational underpinning to support the legal conclusion of obviousness[1].

Maintenance and Fees

Patents require maintenance fees to remain in force.

Payment of Maintenance Fees

• Maintenance fees are due at specific intervals (e.g., 3.5 years, 7.5 years, and 11.5 years after the patent grant date). Failure to pay these fees can result in the patent expiring[2][5].

Key Takeaways

• Claims are Central: The claims of a patent define its scope and are crucial for determining its validity and infringement.
• Patent Landscape Analysis: Understanding the broader patent landscape helps in identifying gaps, opportunities, and competitive threats.
• Anticipation and Obviousness: These are critical legal concepts that determine the validity of a patent.
• Maintenance Fees: Regular payment of maintenance fees is essential to keep the patent in force.

FAQs

1. What is the significance of claims in a patent?

   • Claims are the legally binding descriptions of the invention and define the scope of the patent. They are central to determining the validity and infringement of the patent.

2. How do you analyze the patent landscape?

   • Analyzing the patent landscape involves identifying relevant patents, their claims, and the technologies they cover. Tools like Claim Coverage Matrix and scope concepts are helpful in this analysis.

3. What is the difference between anticipation and obviousness in patent law?

   • Anticipation occurs when the prior art discloses every element of the claimed invention. Obviousness occurs when the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention.

4. Why are maintenance fees important for patents?

   • Maintenance fees are necessary to keep the patent in force. Failure to pay these fees can result in the patent expiring.

5. How can you identify gaps in patent coverage?

   • Gaps in patent coverage can be identified by reviewing claim charts and scope concepts. This helps in determining areas where additional protection may be needed and highlights future design opportunities.

Sources

1. United States Patent and Trademark Office, "Case IPR2016-01490 Patent 8,637,553 B2"
2. United States Patent and Trademark Office, "Patent and Trademark Office Notices - USPTO"
3. Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner, "Patent Analytics | Intellectual Property Law"
4. Justia Patents, "9-aminomethyl minocycline compounds and use thereof in treating..."
5. United States Patent and Trademark Office, "Patent and Trademark Office Notices - USPTO"

Drugs Protected by US Patent 7,326,696

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

International Family Members for US Patent 7,326,696

Country	Patent Number	Estimated Expiration	Supplementary Protection Certificate	SPC Country	SPC Expiration
Austria	336481
Austria	544745
Australia	2001286388