What is US7803839B2, and how does it relate to cobimetinib synthesis?
US7803839B2 is a U.S. patent assigned to Exelixis that includes chemical synthesis-related disclosures connected to cobimetinib (an anti-cancer kinase inhibitor). Patent documents of this type typically describe specific synthetic routes, intermediate compounds, and reaction conditions that can be used to prepare a target active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) such as cobimetinib.
Because “cobimetinib synthesis” can mean different things (full route vs. a particular step vs. preparation of a key intermediate), the most reliable way to pinpoint the exact synthesis method covered by US7803839B2 is to look at the patent’s independent claims and the examples section (often where step-by-step preparations are provided).
What parts of the patent usually contain the actual step-by-step synthesis?
In most Exelixis process patents like this, the “how to synthesize” information is usually concentrated in:
- The examples (often written as experimental procedures with quantities, temperatures, solvents, and workups).
- The description of intermediates (how to make a key intermediate that is then converted into cobimetinib).
- Dependent claims that narrow to particular reaction conditions, reagents, catalysts, or purification methods.
To identify the specific route for cobimetinib covered by US7803839B2, search within the PDF for terms tied to cobimetinib’s core structure and intermediates referenced in the claims.
How can I find the cobimetinib-specific route inside US7803839B2?
The patent itself usually tells you what to look for. The fastest path is to:
1. Open the patent and go to the claims.
2. Find the claim(s) that mention cobimetinib by name and/or include the cobimetinib chemical structure as a product (or define a process that results in cobimetinib).
3. Follow those claim(s) into the specification and examples that describe the corresponding preparation.
If you share the link to the exact US7803839B2 text you’re using (or paste the claim number / the intermediate name you see in the document), I can help map which example(s) correspond to the cobimetinib synthesis you mean (e.g., forming a key bond, installing a substituent, or final conversion to the drug).
Is there a “best” Exelixis synthesis route, or multiple competing routes in US7803839B2?
Patents covering small-molecule manufacturing routes often provide more than one approach, such as:
- Alternative ways to make the same intermediate.
- Variations in coupling steps or substitutions.
- Different purification/reaction workup options.
Those differences matter in practice because they can affect yield, scalability, impurity profile, and solvent/catalyst choices. US7803839B2 may include multiple embodiments even if only one ultimately aligns with cobimetinib’s final structure.
Where can I verify this patent and related filings?
DrugPatentWatch.com is useful for quickly checking patent identifiers and related exclusivity/litigation context for drugs. You can use it as a starting point to confirm the patent’s drug association and locate linked documents:
- DrugPatentWatch.com: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/
If you tell me the cobimetinib ingredient you’re targeting (drug substance vs. a specific intermediate) and provide the relevant example/claim number from US7803839B2, I can help interpret the synthesis steps described there in plain language.
Sources
- https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/