# Chemical Compounds for Fighting Bacterial and Yeast Infections

> A 1977 patent for a specific class of amino-phosphonous acid chemicals designed to act as antibiotics against bacteria and yeast.

- **Patent:** US 4147780
- **Original title:** α-Amino-phosphonous acids for inhibiting bacteria and yeast
- **Owner:** Ciba Geigy Corp
- **Granted:** 1979
- **Status:** Public domain (expired)
- **Times cited:** 17
- **Field:** pharmaceutical, biotech

## What it does

The patent describes a group of chemical compounds known as alpha-amino-phosphonous acids. These molecules are structured to interfere with the biological processes of pathogenic bacteria and yeast. By administering these compounds, either orally or through injection, the patent claims a method for treating microbial infections in mammals. The chemical structure relies on a specific arrangement where an amino group and a phosphonous acid group are attached to the same carbon atom, with various side chains (R and R1) attached to modify the molecule's properties.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover compounds where both R and R1 are hydrogen atoms.
- Does not cover non-amino-phosphonous acid structures.
- Does not cover the treatment of viral or parasitic infections.
- Does not cover naturally occurring amino acids that lack the phosphonous acid group.

## The clever bit

The innovation lies in the use of the phosphonous acid group as a mimic for the carboxylic acid group found in natural amino acids, allowing the molecule to potentially 'trick' bacterial enzymes into binding with it instead of their normal substrates.

## Real-world examples

1. Experimental antibacterial pharmaceutical formulations
2. Synthetic amino acid analogs used in biochemical research

## Why it matters

This patent represents a period in pharmaceutical history where researchers were actively exploring synthetic analogs of natural amino acids to disrupt bacterial metabolism. It highlights the development of phosphorus-containing compounds as potential therapeutic agents, a field that has seen ongoing interest in medicinal chemistry for creating enzyme inhibitors.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does Chemical Compounds for Fighting Bacterial and Yeast Infections cover?

A 1977 patent for a specific class of amino-phosphonous acid chemicals designed to act as antibiotics against bacteria and yeast.

### Who owns patent US 4147780?

Ciba Geigy Corp owns this patent, granted in 1979.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.

### What is patent US 4147780 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 17 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This patent represents a period in pharmaceutical history where researchers were actively exploring synthetic analogs of natural amino acids to disrupt bacterial metabolism. It highlights the development of phosphorus-containing compounds as potential therapeutic agents, a field that has seen ongoing interest in medicinal chemistry for creating enzyme inhibitors.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover compounds where both R and R1 are hydrogen atoms.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4147780/timoptic-timolol

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US4147780

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._