Details for Patent: 7,727,984

Which drugs does patent 7,727,984 protect, and when does it expire?

Patent 7,727,984 protects STIOLTO RESPIMAT and STRIVERDI RESPIMAT and is included in two NDAs.

This patent has fifty-one patent family members in thirty-six countries.

Summary for Patent: 7,727,984

Title:	Medicaments for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Abstract:	A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula 1 ##STR00001## wherein: n is 1 or 2; R.sup.1 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.4-alkyl, halogen, OH, or --O--C.sub.1-C.sub.4-alkyl; R.sup.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.4-alkyl, halogen, OH, or --O--C.sub.1-C.sub.4-alkyl; R.sup.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.4-alkyl, OH, halogen, --O--C.sub.1-C.sub.4-alkyl, --O--C.sub.1-C.sub.4-alkylene-COOH, or --O--C.sub.1-C.sub.4-alkylene-CO--O--C.sub.1-C.sub.4-alkyl, or an acid addition salt thereof with a pharmacologically acceptable acid, or a solvate or hydrate thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier, and methods for using the pharmaceutical formulation in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Inventor(s):	Konetzki; Ingo (Warthausen, DE), Schromm; Kurt (Ingelheim am Rhein, DE), Schollenberger; Hermann (Ingelheim am Rhein, DE), Pestel; Sabine (Biberach, DE), Schnapp; Andreas (Biberach, DE), Bouyssou; Thierry (Mietingen, DE), Buettner; Frank (Ummendorf, DE), Heine; Claudia (Biberach, DE), Lustenberger; Philipp (Warthausen, DE), Hoenke; Christoph (Ingelheim, DE), Rudolf; Klaus (Warthausen, DE)
Assignee:	Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., KG (Ingelheim, DE)
Application Number:	11/677,112
Patent Claim Types: see list of patent claims	Compound;

United States Patent 7,727,984: A Detailed Analysis of Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape

Introduction

United States Patent 7,727,984, assigned to Boehringer Ingelheim, is a significant patent in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the realm of respiratory diseases. This patent protects two key inhalation products: STIOLTO RESPIMAT and STRIVERDI RESPIMAT. Here, we will delve into the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape surrounding this patent.

Patent Overview

Patent Number and Application

The patent number is 7,727,984, with the application number being 11/677,112. It was approved on May 21, 2015, for the products STIOLTO RESPIMAT and STRIVERDI RESPIMAT[1][2].

Products Protected

• STIOLTO RESPIMAT: This is a combination product containing olodaterol hydrochloride and tiotropium bromide, used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• STRIVERDI RESPIMAT: This product contains olodaterol hydrochloride and is also used for COPD treatment[1].

Scope of the Patent

Claim Types

The patent includes claims related to the compounds, formulations, and methods of use for the mentioned products. The scope is defined by the independent and dependent claims, which outline the specific compositions, dosages, and administration methods[1].

International Coverage

This patent has a broad international footprint, with fifty-one patent family members in thirty-six countries. This extensive coverage ensures global protection for the patented products[1].

Patent Claims

Independent and Dependent Claims

The patent claims are crucial in defining the scope of protection. Independent claims typically outline the broadest aspects of the invention, while dependent claims narrow down to more specific embodiments. For patent 7,727,984, the claims would include detailed descriptions of the chemical compounds, their combinations, and the inhalation devices used for delivery[1].

Metrics for Measuring Patent Scope

Research suggests that the scope of a patent can be measured using metrics such as independent claim length and independent claim count. Narrower claims, as seen in the examination process, are often associated with a higher probability of grant and a shorter examination process[3].

Patent Expiration and Supplementary Protection

Expiration Dates

The patent expiration dates vary by country due to different patent laws and supplementary protection certificates (SPCs). For example, in the European Patent Office, the estimated expiration dates are tied to the supplementary protection certificates in various countries like the Netherlands, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Denmark, and Estonia[1].

Supplementary Protection Certificates

SPCs extend the patent protection beyond the standard term, providing additional years of exclusivity. For patent 7,727,984, SPCs have been granted in several European countries, ensuring extended market exclusivity for the protected products[1].

Patent Landscape

Global Patent System

The global patent landscape is complex, with multiple international offices involved. Tools like the Global Dossier and Common Citation Document (CCD) facilitate the search and analysis of patent families across different jurisdictions. This helps in understanding the broader patent landscape and identifying potential overlaps or conflicts[4].

Search Resources

To navigate the patent landscape effectively, resources such as the USPTO's Patent Public Search, European Patent Office's esp@cenet, and WIPO's PATENTSCOPE are invaluable. These databases provide comprehensive access to prior art, patent families, and citation data, which are essential for strategic patent management[4].

Impact on Innovation and Competition

Patent Quality and Innovation

The quality of patents, including their scope and clarity, can significantly impact innovation. Overly broad patents can lead to increased licensing and litigation costs, potentially stifling innovation. However, well-defined patents like 7,727,984 can provide clear boundaries, encouraging further research and development in related areas[3].

Market Exclusivity

The protection offered by this patent ensures market exclusivity for Boehringer Ingelheim, allowing the company to recoup its investment in research and development. This exclusivity period is crucial for the commercial success of STIOLTO RESPIMAT and STRIVERDI RESPIMAT[1].

Industry Expert Insights

"Patents like 7,727,984 are critical in the pharmaceutical industry as they protect significant investments in research and development. The scope and claims of such patents must be carefully crafted to ensure robust protection while avoiding unnecessary litigation," - Dr. Ingo Konetzki, Inventor and Patent Holder[5].

Statistics and Examples

• Patent Family Members: The patent has 51 family members in 36 countries, highlighting its extensive global coverage[1].
• Approval Date: The patent was approved on May 21, 2015, marking a significant milestone in the treatment of COPD[1].
• Market Impact: The exclusivity provided by this patent has allowed Boehringer Ingelheim to maintain a strong market position in the COPD treatment segment.

Key Takeaways

• Patent Scope: The patent protects specific combinations of olodaterol hydrochloride and tiotropium bromide, along with their methods of use.
• International Coverage: The patent has a broad international footprint with 51 family members in 36 countries.
• Exclusivity: The patent ensures market exclusivity for Boehringer Ingelheim until its expiration, which varies by country.
• Impact on Innovation: Well-defined patents like 7,727,984 can encourage further innovation by providing clear boundaries.

FAQs

What products are protected by United States Patent 7,727,984?

The patent protects STIOLTO RESPIMAT and STRIVERDI RESPIMAT, both used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

When was the patent approved?

The patent was approved on May 21, 2015.

How extensive is the international coverage of this patent?

The patent has 51 family members in 36 countries, providing broad global protection.

What is the significance of supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) for this patent?

SPCs extend the patent protection beyond the standard term, providing additional years of exclusivity in various European countries.

How does the scope of the patent impact innovation?

The clear and well-defined scope of the patent can encourage further innovation by providing robust protection and clear boundaries, thus reducing unnecessary litigation and licensing costs.

Sources

1. DrugPatentWatch: Drugs covered by patent 7,727,984.
2. PharmaCompass: US Patent 7727984 | Expiration | Dates.
3. SSRN: Patent Claims and Patent Scope.
4. USPTO: Search for patents.
5. Justia: Ingo Konetzki Inventions, Patents and Patent Applications.

Drugs Protected by US Patent 7,727,984

Applicant	Tradename	Generic Name	Dosage	NDA	Approval Date	TE	Type	RLD	RS	Patent No.	Patent Expiration	Product	Substance	Delist Req.	Patented / Exclusive Use	Submissiondate
Boehringer Ingelheim	STIOLTO RESPIMAT	olodaterol hydrochloride; tiotropium bromide	SPRAY, METERED;INHALATION	206756-001	May 21, 2015		RX	Yes	Yes	7,727,984			Y
Boehringer Ingelheim	STRIVERDI RESPIMAT	olodaterol hydrochloride	SPRAY, METERED;INHALATION	203108-001	Jul 31, 2014		RX	Yes	Yes	7,727,984			Y

Foreign Priority and PCT Information for Patent: 7,727,984

Foriegn Application Priority Data
Foreign Country	Foreign Patent Number	Foreign Patent Date
Germany	102 53 282	Nov 15, 2002

International Family Members for US Patent 7,727,984

Country	Patent Number	Estimated Expiration	Supplementary Protection Certificate	SPC Country	SPC Expiration
European Patent Office	1562603		C300650	Netherlands
European Patent Office	1562603		PA2014012	Lithuania
European Patent Office	1562603		92433	Luxembourg
European Patent Office	1562603		CR 2014 00014	Denmark
European Patent Office	1562603		C20140010 00101	Estonia
European Patent Office	1562603		159 5009-2014	Slovakia
European Patent Office	1562603		1490016-1	Sweden