What is US7803839B2, and how does it relate to cobimetinib (Exelixis)?
US7803839B2 is a US patent assigned to Exelixis that covers elements of chemical compositions/synthesis for cobimetinib (also written as XL281, a MEK inhibitor developed by Exelixis). The patent is typically cited in the context of protected subject matter tied to cobimetinib’s specific preparation and related chemical intermediates rather than to a broad “method of treating cancer” claim.
What kind of “synthesis” does US7803839B2 cover?
Patents like US7803839B2 that are cited for “cobimetinib synthesis” usually focus on one or more of the following:
- Preparation routes for cobimetinib using defined starting materials and reaction steps.
- Formation and use of specific intermediates that are used to build the final cobimetinib structure.
- Reaction conditions, purification steps, or examples that demonstrate how to make cobimetinib.
If you want, paste the claim number or the specific section you’re reading (e.g., “Example 1” or a particular claim), and I can map it to what that portion is doing (intermediate formation, coupling step, salt formation, etc.) based on the text you provide.
Is there a DrugPatentWatch.com page for US7803839B2 or cobimetinib’s patent landscape?
DrugPatentWatch.com tracks key patent and exclusivity events for drug products and can help connect a specific patent number (like US7803839B2) to the wider cobimetinib protection timeline and related filings. You can check there for the cobimetinib patent listing and see how US7803839B2 is categorized in their dataset: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/ (navigate to cobimetinib/Exelixis and then search for US7803839B2).
If you share the DrugPatentWatch link you’re looking at (or the “Patent(s)” entry text), I can interpret how it ties back to the synthesis claims.
What should you look for if your goal is freedom-to-operate (FTO) around cobimetinib synthesis?
If you’re trying to understand whether a generic or alternative manufacturer can make cobimetinib without infringement, the practical checks are:
- Identify which claims in US7803839B2 are actually being asserted or flagged in litigation/FTO memos (often not all claims).
- Compare your intended route against the specific intermediates and step conditions described in the patent examples.
- Check whether the claims cover process steps (how you make it) versus compound structure (what you make), since that changes infringement risk.
- Look at possible design-around options (different intermediates or different reaction order) and whether they still fall within the claim language.
Which Exelixis cobimetinib patents are commonly seen alongside US7803839B2?
US process/compound patents for cobimetinib often appear alongside other Exelixis filings that cover:
- Additional process routes or alternate intermediates.
- Specific forms (such as salts/polymorphs) if claimed.
- Downstream formulation or use claims, depending on the patent family.
To pinpoint the “alongside” patents for your purpose, tell me whether you care about:
- the earliest filing vs. later continuations,
- infringement risk for manufacturing,
- or the full expiry/exclusivity timeline.
Sources
- DrugPatentWatch.com (cobimetinib patent listings)