Details for Patent: 7,981,889

Summary for Patent: 7,981,889

Title:	Phthalazinone derivatives
Abstract:	Compounds of the formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein A and B together represent an optionally substituted, fused aromatic ring; X can be NR.sup.X or CR.sup.XR.sup.Y; if X.dbd.NR.sup.X then n is 1 or 2 and if X.dbd.CR.sup.XR.sup.Y then n is 1; R.sup.X is selected from the group consisting of H, optionally substituted C.sub.1-20 alkyl, C.sub.5-20 aryl, C.sub.3-20 heterocyclyl, amido, thioamido, ester, acyl, and sulfonyl groups; R.sup.Y is selected from H, hydroxy, amino; or R.sup.X and R.sup.Y may together form a spiro-C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl group; R.sup.C1 and R.sup.C2 are both hydrogen, or when X is CR.sup.XR.sup.Y, R.sup.C1, R.sup.C2, R.sup.X and R.sup.Y, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, may form an optionally substituted fused aromatic ring; and R.sup.1 is selected from H and halo.
Inventor(s):	Barr Martin; Niall Morrison (Cambridge, GB), Smith; Graeme Cameron (Cambridge, GB), Jackson; Stephen Philip (Cambridge, GB), Loh; Vincent Junior M (Horsham, GB), Cockcroft; Xiao-Ling Fan (Horsham, GB), Williams Matthews; Ian Timothy (Horsham, GB), Menear; Keith Allan (Horsham, GB), Kerrigan; Frank (Cornwall, GB), Ashworth; Alan (London, GB)
Assignee:	Kudos Pharmaceuticals Limited (Cambridge, GB) Maybridge Limited (Cornwall, GB)
Application Number:	12/109,260
Patent Claim Types: see list of patent claims	Compound; Composition;

Understanding the Scope and Claims of United States Patent 7,981,889

Introduction

United States Patent 7,981,889, titled "Phthalazinone derivatives," is a significant patent in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the field of cancer treatment. This patent, assigned to various entities including Kudos Pharmaceuticals Limited, covers a class of compounds known as phthalazinone derivatives, which are used as inhibitors of DNA damage repair enzymes.

Patent Overview

• Issuance Date: The patent was issued on July 19, 2011[2][4].
• Inventors: The inventors include Alan Ashworth, Stephen Jackson, Niall Martin, Graeme Smith, and others[2][4].
• Assignees: The patent is assigned to Kudos Pharmaceuticals Limited, among other entities[2][4].

Claims and Scope

Independent Claims

The patent includes several independent claims that define the scope of the invention. Here are some key aspects:

• Compound Structure: The patent claims compounds of a specific formula, where A and B together represent an optionally substituted, fused aromatic ring. The compounds also include specific functional groups such as NR X or CR X R Y[4].
• Therapeutic Use: The claims cover the use of these compounds as inhibitors of enzymes that mediate DNA strand break repair, particularly in the treatment of diseases caused by defects in genes that mediate homologous recombination, such as certain types of cancer[2][4].

Dependent Claims

Dependent claims further specify the characteristics of the compounds, including the types of substituents, the nature of the aromatic rings, and other structural details. These claims narrow down the scope to specific embodiments of the invention[4].

Patent Expiration Dates

• The patent 7,981,889 is set to expire on October 11, 2024. This expiration date is crucial as it marks the time when generic versions of the drug can be developed and marketed without infringing on the original patent[2].

Patent Landscape

Related Patents

The patent landscape surrounding 7,981,889 includes several related patents that cover similar or complementary inventions:

• Patent 8,071,579: This patent also covers phthalazinone derivatives and has expiration dates ranging from 2027 to 2031[2].
• Patent 8,859,562: This patent relates to the use of agents that inhibit DNA strand break repair enzymes and expires in 2031[2].
• Patent 9,169,235 and 9,566,276: These patents cover additional phthalazinone derivatives and expire on March 12, 2024[2].

Generic Competition

The expiration of these patents, particularly 7,981,889, opens the door for generic competition. Generic drug manufacturers can file Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) with the FDA to market generic versions of the drug once the patent expires. This has been a trend seen in the pharmaceutical industry, where generic drugs have significantly increased in usage and approvals over the years[1].

Impact on Innovation and Litigation

Innovation

The patent system is designed to incentivize innovation by providing exclusive rights to inventors for a limited period. However, overly broad or unclear patents can hinder innovation by increasing licensing and litigation costs. The scope and claims of 7,981,889 are specific and well-defined, which helps in maintaining a balance between protecting intellectual property and fostering further innovation[3].

Litigation

Patent litigation is a significant concern in the pharmaceutical industry. The clarity and scope of patent claims can influence the likelihood and complexity of litigation. In the case of 7,981,889, the clear and specific claims reduce the ambiguity that could lead to unnecessary litigation, thereby supporting a more stable patent landscape[3].

Conclusion

United States Patent 7,981,889 is a critical patent in the field of cancer treatment, covering phthalazinone derivatives that inhibit DNA damage repair enzymes. Understanding its scope, claims, and expiration dates is essential for both the original patent holders and potential generic competitors. As the patent approaches its expiration date, it is likely that generic versions of the drug will become available, reflecting the ongoing trend of increased generic drug usage and approvals.

Key Takeaways

• Patent Scope: The patent covers specific phthalazinone derivatives used as inhibitors of DNA damage repair enzymes.
• Expiration Date: The patent expires on October 11, 2024.
• Related Patents: Several related patents cover similar compounds and therapeutic uses.
• Generic Competition: The expiration of the patent will allow for generic competition.
• Innovation and Litigation: Clear and specific claims help in maintaining a balance between protecting intellectual property and fostering innovation.

FAQs

1. What is the primary use of the compounds covered by United States Patent 7,981,889?

   • The primary use is as inhibitors of enzymes that mediate DNA strand break repair, particularly in the treatment of diseases caused by defects in genes that mediate homologous recombination, such as certain types of cancer.

2. When does the patent 7,981,889 expire?

   • The patent expires on October 11, 2024.

3. Who are the inventors and assignees of the patent?

   • The inventors include Alan Ashworth, Stephen Jackson, Niall Martin, Graeme Smith, and others. The patent is assigned to Kudos Pharmaceuticals Limited, among other entities.

4. How does the expiration of this patent affect the pharmaceutical industry?

   • The expiration allows for generic versions of the drug to be developed and marketed, increasing competition and potentially reducing costs for consumers.

5. What are some related patents in the same field?

   • Related patents include 8,071,579, 8,859,562, 9,169,235, and 9,566,276, which cover similar or complementary inventions.

Sources

1. The BioLoquitur Bulletin - Seyfarth Shaw LLP
2. Generic Lynparza Availability - Drugs.com
3. Patent Claims and Patent Scope - Hoover Institution
4. US7981889B2 - Phthalazinone derivatives - Google Patents

Drugs Protected by US Patent 7,981,889

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

International Family Members for US Patent 7,981,889

Country	Patent Number	Estimated Expiration	Supplementary Protection Certificate	SPC Country	SPC Expiration
European Patent Office	1633724		C300726	Netherlands
European Patent Office	1633724		CR 2015 00012	Denmark
European Patent Office	1633724		C20150012 00136	Estonia
European Patent Office	1633724		92680	Luxembourg