United States Patent 8,445,515: A Detailed Analysis of Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
Introduction
United States Patent 8,445,515, titled "C5aR antagonists," is a significant patent held by ChemoCentryx, Inc., and it plays a crucial role in the treatment of diseases involving the pathologic activation of C5a receptors. This patent is part of a broader portfolio of intellectual property related to C5a receptor modulators.
Background and Context
The C5a receptor is a key component in the complement system, which is part of the immune system. Activation of the C5a receptor can lead to various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and ANCA-associated vasculitis. The compounds described in this patent are designed to modulate the activity of the C5a receptor, providing therapeutic benefits for these conditions[2][4].
Inventors and Assignee
The patent was invented by a team of researchers including Pingchen Fan, Kevin Lloyd Greenman, Manmohan Reddy Leleti, Yandong Li, Jay Powers, Hiroko Tanaka, Ju Yang, and Yibin Zeng. The assignee of the patent is ChemoCentryx, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in Mountain View, California[2][4].
Patent Scope and Claims
Compounds and Their Use
The patent describes a class of compounds that are modulators of the C5a receptor. These compounds are specifically substituted piperidines, which are useful in pharmaceutical compositions for treating diseases and disorders involving the pathologic activation of C5a receptors. The scope of the patent includes methods for the treatment of these diseases using these compounds[2][4].
Claim Structure
The patent includes several claims that define the scope of protection. These claims are structured to cover the specific chemical structures of the compounds, their use in pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for treating diseases. The claims are designed to be broad enough to protect the invention but narrow enough to be enforceable. For example, the claims specify the chemical structure of the substituted piperidines and their therapeutic applications[2][4].
Patent Expiration Dates
The patent was issued on May 21, 2013, and is set to expire on February 3, 2031. This expiration date is subject to change based on various legal activities such as term extensions or amendments to the claims[2][5].
Related Patents and Continuations
This patent is part of a series of related patents and continuations filed by ChemoCentryx, Inc. Other relevant patents include US 8,906,938 and US 10,660,897, which also pertain to C5aR antagonists. These patents form a comprehensive intellectual property strategy to protect the company's research and development in this therapeutic area[2][4][5].
Therapeutic Applications
The compounds described in this patent are particularly useful for treating severe active ANCA-associated vasculitis in adult patients, among other conditions. The drug Tavneos (avacopan), which is protected by this and related patents, has been approved for such uses and is marketed by ChemoCentryx, Inc.[5].
Patent Landscape and Competition
The patent landscape for C5aR antagonists is complex, with multiple patents held by ChemoCentryx, Inc. These patents provide a strong barrier to entry for competitors, as they cover a wide range of compounds and therapeutic uses. The absence of generic versions of Tavneos in the United States further solidifies the company's market position[2][5].
Measuring Patent Scope
The scope of a patent can be measured in various ways, including the number of words in the first claim, the number of claims, and the number of patent classes. However, research suggests that the number of words in the first claim is a more predictive measure of patent scope, with longer claims indicating narrower scope[3].
Legal Activities and Updates
Recent legal activities on the patents protecting avacopan include changes in power of attorney and email notifications, which are critical for tracking the status and potential changes in the patent's life cycle. These activities can affect the patent's expiration date and the timing of generic drug availability[5].
Impact on Pharmaceutical Industry
This patent and related intellectual property have significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry. They protect innovative treatments for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, ensuring that ChemoCentryx, Inc. maintains exclusivity in the market for these therapies. This exclusivity period allows the company to recoup its investment in research and development[2][5].
Key Takeaways
- C5aR Antagonists: The patent covers compounds that modulate the C5a receptor, useful in treating diseases like ANCA-associated vasculitis.
- Assignee: ChemoCentryx, Inc. holds the patent.
- Expiration Date: The patent is set to expire on February 3, 2031.
- Related Patents: Part of a series of patents protecting C5aR antagonists.
- Therapeutic Applications: Key therapeutic use is in treating severe active ANCA-associated vasculitis.
- Patent Landscape: Strong intellectual property position with multiple related patents.
- Legal Activities: Ongoing legal activities can affect the patent's life cycle.
FAQs
What is the main therapeutic application of the compounds described in US Patent 8,445,515?
The main therapeutic application is the treatment of severe active ANCA-associated vasculitis in adult patients.
Who is the assignee of US Patent 8,445,515?
The assignee is ChemoCentryx, Inc.
When is the patent set to expire?
The patent is set to expire on February 3, 2031.
Are there any generic versions of Tavneos available in the United States?
No, there are currently no therapeutically equivalent generic versions of Tavneos available in the United States.
How can the scope of a patent be measured?
The scope of a patent can be measured by the number of words in the first claim, among other methods, with longer claims indicating narrower scope.
Cited Sources:
- US8445515B2 - C5aR antagonists - Google Patents
- Generic Tavneos Availability - Drugs.com
- The Ways We've been Measuring Patent Scope are Wrong: How to Measure and Draw Causal Inferences with Patent Scope - Boston University Law
- United States Patent - googleapis.com
- Drug Patents containing Avacopan - Pharsight
