原標(biāo)題:藥品生命周期管理中的專利策略和實(shí)務(wù) (2)-- 專利長青化(evergreening)
一直以來,對(duì)于長青化和專利叢林這些策略是否違反反壟斷法,抑制競爭,造成高藥價(jià)等方面批評(píng)聲一直不斷。據(jù)統(tǒng)計(jì),在美國年銷售額前12的藥物,平均每個(gè)藥物有71個(gè)相關(guān)專利在藥物生命周期的不同階段遞交。可見,圍繞一個(gè)藥物產(chǎn)品構(gòu)建有效的專利組合達(dá)到長青化和專利叢林的效果,是藥企在圍繞藥品生命周期管理的專利布局中的重要策略。
在《從修美樂反壟斷案件看美國專利叢林(patent thicket)策略》一文中,以艾伯維公司圍繞修美樂藥品申請(qǐng)的一百多件專利為例,介紹了專利叢林策略。這里談?wù)勗谒幤飞芷诠芾碇辛硪粋€(gè)普遍運(yùn)用的策略--專利長青化(evergreening)。
專利保護(hù)給予制藥企業(yè)一定時(shí)間的獨(dú)占期(exclusivity), 在這段時(shí)間內(nèi),藥企可以用專利來阻止競爭對(duì)手(比如仿制藥或生物相似藥)進(jìn)入市場。可是,專利有效期一般在20年左右,而一個(gè)藥品的研發(fā)過程往往也在十年或者更久。對(duì)一個(gè)新藥相關(guān)的專利來說,最核心的是保護(hù)藥品活性成分的專利。然而這些專利往往在藥品研發(fā)初期就申請(qǐng)了。等到藥品上市的時(shí)候,這些早期專利已經(jīng)臨近過期,甚至已經(jīng)過期。
從原研藥企業(yè)的角度看,制定有效的專利策略來獲取盡可能長的獨(dú)占期,對(duì)于從一個(gè)新藥產(chǎn)品獲利最大化至關(guān)重要。專利長青化策略就是緊扣研發(fā)進(jìn)程,在藥品生命周期的 不同時(shí)間點(diǎn)申請(qǐng)多個(gè)專利,不光保護(hù)早期發(fā)現(xiàn)的活性成分,還通過后續(xù)專利保護(hù)在藥品研發(fā)進(jìn)程和臨床試驗(yàn)中獲得其他創(chuàng)新點(diǎn)。由于這些后續(xù)的專利過期時(shí)間一般要比最初的活性成分專利晚,這種專利組合就起到延長從專利保護(hù)得到的獨(dú)占期的作用。
一些藥物的相關(guān)專利數(shù)量龐大,申請(qǐng)時(shí)間跨度時(shí)間長,就會(huì)同時(shí)起到長青化和專利叢林的作用。以前文提到的修美樂為例,除了核心的藥物活性成分,相關(guān)專利還包括藥劑,劑量劑型,制備方法,治療用途等等。很多創(chuàng)新點(diǎn)是基于在研發(fā)過程和臨床試驗(yàn)中的得的數(shù)據(jù)。最新的專利和最初專利相隔將近20年之久。
有一類后續(xù)專利權(quán)利要求范圍未必很廣,但是從阻止競爭對(duì)手的角度看, 是比較有效的。這就是覆蓋藥品說明書(drug label)上信息的專利。這類信息包括藥物制劑的成分,特定適應(yīng)癥,針對(duì)特定病人群體的劑量和給藥方法等等。對(duì)于將來要進(jìn)入市場的仿制藥來說,它們的說明書上必須包括對(duì)應(yīng)原研藥說明書上的所有或者部分信息。如果原研藥企業(yè)的專利覆蓋這些信息,將會(huì)起到有效的保護(hù)作用。所以在原研藥研發(fā)和審批過程中,原研藥企業(yè)可以對(duì)于最終將出現(xiàn)在藥品說明書里的,并且會(huì)被將來仿制藥用到信息,做一個(gè)預(yù)計(jì)。當(dāng)研發(fā)過程中獲得這些數(shù)據(jù)和信息的時(shí)候,即使申請(qǐng)專利保護(hù)。下面是一些例子:
• 對(duì)于特定病人群體的適用的劑量:US8586610 (Vanda Pharm 公司的伊潘立酮(iloperidone, 商品名Fanapt))
1. A method for treating a patient with iloperidone, wherein the patient is suffering from schizophrenia, the method comprising the steps of:
determining whether the patient is a CYP2D6 poor metabolizer by:
obtaining or having obtained a biological sample from the patient; and
performing or having performed a genotyping assay on the biological sample to determine if the patient has a CYP2D6 poor metabolizer genotype; and
if the patient has a CYP2D6 poor metabolizer genotype, then internally administering iloperidone to the patient in an amount of 12 mg/day or less, and
if the patient does not have a CYP2D6 poor metabolizer genotype, then internally administering iloperidone to the patient in an amount that is greater than 12 mg/day, up to 24 mg/day,
wherein a risk of QTc prolongation for a patient having a CYP2D6 poor metabolizer genotype is lower following the internal administration of 12 mg/day or less than it would be if the iloperidone were administered in an amount of greater than 12 mg/day, up to 24 mg/day.
• 適用病人群體的選擇:US8410167 (賽諾菲公司決奈達(dá)隆(dronedarone商品名Multaq))
1. A method of decreasing a risk of cardiovascular hospitalization in a patient, said method comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of dronedarone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, twice a day with a morning and an evening meal, wherein said patient does not have severe heart failure, (i) wherein severe heart failure is indicated by: a) NYHA Class IV heart failure or b) hospitalization for heart failure within the last month; and (ii) wherein said patient has a history of, or current, paroxysmal or persistent non-permanent atrial fibrillation or flutter; and (iii) wherein the patient has at least one cardiovascular risk factor selected from the group consisting of:
i. an age greater than or equal to 75;
ii. hypertension;
iii. diabetes;
iv. a history of cerebral stroke or of systemic embolism;
v. a left atrial diameter greater than or equal to 50 mm; and
vi. a left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40%.
• 劑型和給藥方法:US8399445 ( Cumberland坎伯蘭藥業(yè)的乙酰半胱氨酸(acetylcysteine, 商品名Acetadote))
1. A method of treating acetaminophen overdose, comprising:
using a stable aqueous pharmaceutical composition comprising 200 mg/ml acetylcysteine or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the composition is free of chelating agents, wherein said composition is in a suitable form for intravenous injection, wherein the pH of the composition is from 6 to 7.5. and wherein said composition is sealed in an airtight container comprising a fill volume of said composition and a headspace volume occupied by a pharmaceutically inert gas;
diluting the composition in an aqueous solution; and
administering the diluted composition to a patient in need thereof.
上面這些專利的權(quán)利要求雖然都是保護(hù)了藥品相關(guān)的方法或者劑型的一些特定方面,但是都進(jìn)入了訴訟,并且成功地應(yīng)對(duì)了無效挑戰(zhàn)。足以說明它們?cè)谒幬锷芷谥械闹匾饔谩?br>
一直以來,對(duì)于長青化和專利叢林這些策略是否違反反壟斷法,抑制競爭,造成高藥價(jià)等方面批評(píng)聲一直不斷。一些國家從立法上也對(duì)這些策略的效果有一些限制,比如藥品鏈接制度,鼓勵(lì)仿制藥挑戰(zhàn)原研藥專利從而提早進(jìn)入市場.但是,原研藥企延長新藥獨(dú)占期和仿制藥盡早進(jìn)入市場一直是制藥業(yè)博弈的此消彼長兩個(gè)方面。在現(xiàn)有法律下,這些專利策略是普遍應(yīng)用的。據(jù)統(tǒng)計(jì),在美國年銷售額前12的藥物,平均每個(gè)藥物有71個(gè)相關(guān)專利在藥物生命周期的不同階段遞交。可見,圍繞一個(gè)藥物產(chǎn)品構(gòu)建有效的專利組合達(dá)到長青化和專利叢林的效果,是藥企在圍繞藥品生命周期管理的專利布局中的重要策略。
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