United States Patent 7,795,312: A Detailed Analysis
Overview of the Patent
United States Patent 7,795,312, titled "Method for treating abdominal discomfort," was granted to Sucampo Pharma Americas LLC and other associated entities. This patent is part of a broader portfolio related to pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating various gastrointestinal disorders.
Background and Context
The patent addresses a method for treating abdominal discomfort, a common symptom associated with several gastrointestinal conditions. Abdominal discomfort can arise from various causes, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and other gastrointestinal disorders. The patent aims to provide a specific treatment approach using certain pharmaceutical compositions.
Claims and Scope
Independent Claims
The patent includes several independent claims that define the scope of the invention. Here are some key claims:
- Claim 1: A method for treating abdominal discomfort in a patient, comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition containing a specific active ingredient, such as lubiprostone, in a therapeutically effective amount.
- Claim 10: A pharmaceutical composition for treating abdominal discomfort, comprising a specific active ingredient and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier[5].
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims further specify the details of the independent claims, such as the dosage regimen, the form of the pharmaceutical composition (e.g., capsules, tablets), and the specific conditions being treated.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The patent provides a detailed description of the method and composition for treating abdominal discomfort. This includes:
- Active Ingredient: The patent specifies the use of lubiprostone, a chloride channel activator that enhances intestinal fluid secretion, thereby softening stool and promoting regular bowel movements.
- Dosage Regimen: The dosage regimen is outlined, including the frequency and amount of the active ingredient to be administered.
- Pharmaceutical Composition: The composition can be in various forms, such as soft-gelatin capsules, which are designed to improve bioavailability and patient compliance[5].
Prior Art and Patent Landscape
Related Patents
The patent landscape around U.S. Patent 7,795,312 includes other patents related to lubiprostone and its use in treating gastrointestinal disorders. For example:
- U.S. Patent 8,026,393: This patent also pertains to soft-gelatin capsule formulations, which are relevant to the delivery mechanism of the active ingredient in U.S. Patent 7,795,312[2].
Global Patent Family
The patent is part of a global patent family, with corresponding patents in other jurisdictions. This is evident from the Global Dossier service provided by the USPTO, which allows users to see the patent family for a specific application, including related applications filed at participating IP Offices[4].
Litigation and Enforcement
Patents like U.S. Patent 7,795,312 are often involved in litigation to protect intellectual property rights. For instance, Sucampo Pharma Americas LLC, the holder of this patent, might engage in legal actions against generic manufacturers seeking to produce similar pharmaceutical compositions. This is a common practice in the pharmaceutical industry to enforce patent rights and prevent infringement[2].
Economic and Market Impact
The economic impact of U.S. Patent 7,795,312 is significant, as it protects a valuable method and composition for treating abdominal discomfort. This protection allows the patent holder to recoup investment in research and development and maintain market exclusivity for the patented product.
Market Dominance
By holding this patent, Sucampo Pharma Americas LLC can dominate the market for treatments of abdominal discomfort, particularly those using lubiprostone. This dominance can lead to higher revenue and market share, as generic alternatives are prevented from entering the market until the patent expires.
Technical Harmonization and Global Integration
The patent is part of an internationally harmonized system, facilitated by tools like the Common Citation Document (CCD) and Global Dossier. These tools help in consolidating prior art and citation data, making it easier to navigate the global patent landscape and ensure that the same invention is not patented multiple times across different jurisdictions[4].
Search and Analysis Tools
For researchers and practitioners, tools like the USPTO's Patent Public Search and PATENTSCOPE database are crucial for searching and analyzing patents like U.S. Patent 7,795,312. These tools provide full-text searching capabilities and access to international patent documents, enabling comprehensive analysis of the patent landscape[1][4].
Conclusion and Future Implications
U.S. Patent 7,795,312 is a critical component in the treatment of abdominal discomfort, offering a specific method and composition that enhance patient outcomes. The patent's scope and claims are well-defined, and its position within the broader patent landscape underscores its importance in the pharmaceutical industry.
Key Takeaways
- Specific Method and Composition: The patent describes a method for treating abdominal discomfort using lubiprostone.
- Dosage Regimen and Pharmaceutical Form: Detailed descriptions of the dosage regimen and pharmaceutical composition are provided.
- Global Patent Family: The patent is part of a global patent family, with corresponding patents in other jurisdictions.
- Litigation and Enforcement: The patent holder may engage in litigation to protect intellectual property rights.
- Economic and Market Impact: The patent protects a valuable method and composition, allowing the patent holder to maintain market exclusivity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the main active ingredient in the pharmaceutical composition described in U.S. Patent 7,795,312?
The main active ingredient is lubiprostone, a chloride channel activator.
2. How does the patent protect the method and composition?
The patent protects the method and composition by defining specific claims that outline the dosage regimen, pharmaceutical form, and conditions treated.
3. What tools can be used to search and analyze this patent?
Tools like the USPTO's Patent Public Search, PATENTSCOPE, and Global Dossier can be used to search and analyze this patent.
4. Is this patent part of a global patent family?
Yes, the patent is part of a global patent family, with corresponding patents in other jurisdictions.
5. How does the patent impact the market for treatments of abdominal discomfort?
The patent allows the holder to maintain market exclusivity for the patented product, preventing generic alternatives from entering the market until the patent expires.
Cited Sources:
- Clemson University Libraries, "Research and Course Guides: Patent Searching, Advanced: Overview," May 23, 2024.
- McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP, "Life Sciences Court Report - February 2020," JDSupra, February 2020.
- United States Patent and Trademark Office, "Patent Claims Research Dataset," August 28, 2017.
- United States Patent and Trademark Office, "Search for patents - USPTO," October 18, 2018.
- Google Patents, "US7795312B2 - Method for treating abdominal discomfort," Google Patents.