# 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 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [Using Synthetic DNA Fragments to Block HIV Replication](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5110802/crixivan-indinavir) — A 1987 patent describing a specific synthetic DNA molecule designed to stop the HIV virus from replicating by blocking a key part of its genetic code. - [Chemical Compounds for Treating Hepatitis C Virus](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8822430/epclusa-sofosbuvir-velpatasvir) — A patent describing specific chemical structures designed to stop the Hepatitis C virus from replicating in humans. - [Gilead's Chemical Compounds for Treating HIV Infections](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9216996/genvoya-elvitegravir-cobicistat-taf-ftc) — This patent covers specific chemical structures designed to block HIV from replicating in human cells, providing a foundation for new antiviral medications. - [Boosting Anti-Infective Activity with Muramyldipeptides and Liposomes](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4522811/human-growth-hormone-protropin) — This patent describes a method to make anti-infective drugs called muramyldipeptides work better by injecting them separately but close in time with tiny fat bubbles called liposomes into an animal. - [The Discovery of Aspartame as a Sugar Substitute](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3492131/aspartame-sweetener) — This 1966 patent identifies specific chemical compounds, known as aspartylphenylalanine esters, that provide intense sweetness for food and drinks without using sugar.