Improving Drug Delivery with Chemical Masks for Thiazolo-Pyrimidine Compounds
A patent describing modified chemical structures that act as dormant precursors, designed to be activated by the body to help treat viral infections like Hepatitis C.
Original patent title: “Carbonate and carbamate prodrugs of thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidines”
A patent describing modified chemical structures that act as dormant precursors, designed to be activated by the body to help treat viral infections like Hepatitis C. Granted to Anadys Pharmaceuticals Inc in 2009 with 16 claims and 1 forward citation.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → a specific class of chemical compounds known as prodrugs. These are essentially inactive versions of a drug that are chemically masked with carbonate or carbamate groups. Once a patient ingests the compound, the body's natural metabolic processes strip away these masks, releasing the active medicine exactly where and when it is needed. This chemical modification is intended to improve how well the drug is absorbed or how stable it remains in the bloodstream before reaching its target.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover the original, unprotected parent drug molecule itself.
- Does not cover general chemical synthesis methods for creating thiazolo-pyrimidines.
- Does not cover treatments for diseases other than those specifically mentioned, such as cancer or Hepatitis C.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in attaching specific carbonate or carbamate groups to the molecule to create a 'prodrug' that remains stable during storage and transit but is easily cleaved by enzymes in the body to release the active medicine.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Experimental antiviral treatments for Hepatitis C
Potential oncology therapeutics targeting abnormal cell growth
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Developing effective drugs is often hampered by poor solubility or rapid degradation in the body. By creating a prodrug, researchers can effectively 'hide' the active drug until it reaches the right environment, potentially increasing its potency and reducing side effects. This approach is a standard strategy in medicinal chemistry to turn promising laboratory compounds into viable clinical treatments.
Filed
July 17, 2007
Granted
May 5, 2009
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
The technology originated with Anadys Pharmaceuticals, which was later acquired by Roche. Research into thiazolo-pyrimidine derivatives continues within the broader pharmaceutical industry as companies seek more effective immunomodulatory agents for viral and oncological conditions.
Market impact
This patent represents a specific tactical step in the evolution of antiviral drug design. It highlights the industry shift toward using chemical shielding to solve pharmacokinetic limitations, a strategy that has since become a fundamental tool for pharmaceutical developers working on complex small-molecule drugs.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent claims a specific class of chemical compounds known as prodrugs. These are essentially inactive versions of a drug that are chemically masked with carbonate or carbamate groups. Once a patient ingests the compound, the body's natural metabolic processes strip away these masks, releasing the active medicine exactly where and when it is needed. This chemical modification is intended to improve how well the drug is absorbed or how stable it remains in the bloodstream before reaching its target.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in attaching specific carbonate or carbamate groups to the molecule to create a 'prodrug' that remains stable during storage and transit but is easily cleaved by enzymes in the body to release the active medicine.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover the original, unprotected parent drug molecule itself.
- Does not cover general chemical synthesis methods for creating thiazolo-pyrimidines.
- Does not cover treatments for diseases other than those specifically mentioned, such as cancer or Hepatitis C.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
6/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
11/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
5/20
Granted 10–20 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$59K – $187K
Midpoint $117K · 1.1 yr remaining · industry ×3.0
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
16 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Haley, G. J., Xiang, A. X., Lennox, J. R., & Webber, S. E. (2009). Improving Drug Delivery with Chemical Masks for Thiazolo-Pyrimidine Compounds (U.S. Patent No. 7,528,115). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7528115/eylea-aflibercept
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Improving Drug Delivery with Chemical Masks for Thiazolo-Pyrimidine Compounds cover?
A patent describing modified chemical structures that act as dormant precursors, designed to be activated by the body to help treat viral infections like Hepatitis C.
Who owns patent US 7528115?
Anadys Pharmaceuticals Inc owns this patent, granted in 2009.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on May 5, 2029, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 7528115 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
Developing effective drugs is often hampered by poor solubility or rapid degradation in the body. By creating a prodrug, researchers can effectively 'hide' the active drug until it reaches the right environment, potentially increasing its potency and reducing side effects. This approach is a standard strategy in medicinal chemistry to turn promising laboratory compounds into viable clinical treatments.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover the original, unprotected parent drug molecule itself.
Patent monitoring