# 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. - **Patent:** US 7528115 - **Original title:** Carbonate and carbamate prodrugs of thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidines - **Owner:** Anadys Pharmaceuticals Inc - **Granted:** 2009 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 1 - **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical ## What it does 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. ## 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. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Experimental antiviral treatments for Hepatitis C 2. Potential oncology therapeutics targeting abnormal cell growth ## Why it matters 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. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7528115/eylea-aflibercept **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US7528115 --- _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: - [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. - [Treating Hepatitis C with Combination Drug Therapy](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8735372/sovaldi-sofosbuvir-composition) — A Gilead Sciences patent detailing a method to treat Hepatitis C by combining a specific chemical compound with an NS5a inhibitor. - [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. - [New Pyrimidine Chemical Compounds for Treating Tumors](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5521184/gleevec-imatinib) — This patent describes specific new chemical compounds, called N-phenyl-2-pyrimidine-amine derivatives, designed with precise molecular structures for potential use in treating cancer. - [Using Vitamin B12 to Help Proteins Survive the Human Digestive System](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5574018/herceptin-trastuzumab) — A method for attaching therapeutic proteins to Vitamin B12 so they can be absorbed through the gut instead of being injected.