throbber
Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 1 of 122 PageID: 1010
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY
`
`
`
`
`UNITED THERAPEUTICS
`CORPORATION,
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`
`
`
`v.
`
`
`
`SANDOZ, INC.,
`
`Defendant.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Civil Action No. 3:14-cv-5499
`(PGS)(LHG)
`
`
`
`
`DECLARATION OF ROBERT M. WILLIAMS, PH.D.
`
`1
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 2 of 122 PageID: 1011
`
`I, Robert M. Williams, Ph.D. declare as follows:
`
`I.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`1.
`
`I am currently a tenured University Distinguished Professor of
`
`Chemistry at Colorado State University (CSU). I also serve as the Director for the
`
`Colorado Center for Drug Discovery. I am also co-Director (Experimental
`
`Therapeutics) for the Infectious Diseases Supercluster Initiative and co-Director
`
`for the Cancer Supercluster Initiative at CSU. I have been retained by United
`
`Therapeutics Corp. (“UTC”) as an expert in connection with the above-captioned
`
`matter.
`
`2.
`
`I obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Syracuse
`
`University in 1975, and did laboratory research in the field of synthetic organic
`
`chemistry under the guidance of the Nobel Laureate Professor Ei-ichi Negishi. I
`
`obtained my Master’s degree and Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in 1979 from the
`
`Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Upon graduating from MIT, I spent
`
`one year (1979-80) as a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard University in the
`
`laboratories of the Nobel Laureate, the late Professor Robert B. Woodward and
`
`Professor Yoshito Kishi. I have been a professor of chemistry since 1980.
`
`3.
`
`I have extensive knowledge and experience in the area of synthetic
`
`organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry with an emphasis on biologically active
`
`compounds. My organic chemistry research interests include the total synthesis of
`
`
`
`2
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 3 of 122 PageID: 1012
`
`novel natural and synthetic products, heterocyclic chemistry, asymmetric synthesis,
`
`synthetic methodology, and reaction mechanisms. In addition to over 300
`
`publications in the field, I have taught classes and conducted research in the area of
`
`synthetic organic chemistry and more specifically on prostaglandins, prostacyclins,
`
`thromboxanes, and related compounds. I also served as Principal Investigator (PI)
`
`on a research grant from the National Institutes of Health, to study the synthesis of
`
`thromboxane A2, a member of the natural eicosanoids and researched the structure
`
`and function of this family of fatty acid derivatives including the prostaglandins.
`
`4.
`
`I also have expertise in drug formulation for injectable, topical and
`
`oral medications. I have directed research programs for numerous therapeutic
`
`indications and I have consulted on many aspects of pharmaceutical drug
`
`discovery, development and manufacturing. This includes basic discovery and
`
`optimization, early process research, large-scale manufacturing and drug
`
`formulation.
`
`5.
`
`I also currently serve on the Editorial board for Chemistry & Biology,
`
`and served as Editor for the Organic Chemistry Series published by Pergamon
`
`Press and Elsevier (1997-2012), and Mini Reviews in Organic Chemistry (Bentham
`
`Science). I have served as an editor for several other journals in the past, including
`
`Tetrahedron: Asymmetry, Tetrahedron Publications, Amino Acids, and the Journal
`
`of the American Chemical Society.
`
`
`
`3
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 4 of 122 PageID: 1013
`
`6.
`
`I am a member of the American Chemical Society, the Japan
`
`Antibiotics Research Association, and the International Society of Heterocyclic
`
`Chemistry. I have served as the Vice President of the International Society of
`
`Heterocyclic Chemistry, Chairing the 2003 International Congress of Heterocyclic
`
`Chemistry as organizer or co-organizer of numerous scientific meetings and
`
`symposia and.
`
`7.
`
`I have been awarded numerous prizes and awards including the NIH
`
`Research Career Development Award (1984-89), the Eli Lilly Young Investigator
`
`Award (1986), the Merck, Sharp & Dohme Academic Development Award (1991),
`
`the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowship (1999), the Arthur
`
`C. Cope Scholar Award sponsored by The American Chemical Society (2002), the
`
`Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Senior Award (2010), the ACS Ernest
`
`Guenther Award in the Chemistry of Natural Products sponsored by Givoudan and
`
`The American Chemical Society (2011), the Japanese Society for the Promotion of
`
`Science Long-term Fellowship (2012-2013) and the local Rocky Mountain section
`
`of the American Chemical Society Organic Synthesis Award (2012).
`
`8. My educational background, work experience, publications, and
`
`honors are set forth in my curriculum vitae, attached to this report as Exhibit A.
`
`9.
`
`Below is a list of the cases where I have testified as an expert at trial
`
`or by deposition in the past four years: Lundbeck v. Infosint., C.A. No. 1:06-cv-
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 5 of 122 PageID: 1014
`
`02869-LAK-RLE (S.D.N.Y.); Sanofi-Aventis v. Apotex and Hospira; C.A. No.
`
`1:07-cv-00721-GMS (D. Del.) (consolidated); Johnson & Johnson, Cordis Corp.,
`
`and Wyeth ("J&J") v. Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.,
`
`Boston Scientific Corp., Boston Scientific SciMed, Inc., Medtronic, Inc., and
`
`Medtronic AVE, Inc., C.A. Nos. 3:08-cv-00230-JAP-TJB (D.N.J.) and 3:08-cv-
`
`01021-JAP-TJB (D.N.J.); Allergan, Inc. v. Athena Cosmetics, Inc., C.A. Nos. 8:07-
`
`01316-JVS-RNB (C.D. Cal.) and 8:09-cv-00328-JVS-RNB (C.D. Cal.); United
`
`Therapeutics Corp. v. Sandoz, Inc., C.A. Nos.: 12-cv-01617-PGS-LHG (D.N.J.)
`
`and 3:13-cv-00316-PGS-LHG (D.N.J.); Gilead Sciences, Inc. and Emory
`
`University v. Cipla, Ltd., C.A. No.: 1:12-cv-06350-RJS (S.D.N.Y.); Andrulis
`
`Pharmaceuticals v. Celgene Corp., C.A. No. 1:13-cv-01644-RGA (D. Del.); and
`
`Genzyme Corp. v. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd., C.A. No. 13-1506-GMS (D.
`
`Del.).
`
`10.
`
` For this declaration, I have reviewed the ’393 patent, its
`
`corresponding and related prosecution histories, certain documents referenced
`
`therein, and additional references that were part of the state of the art at the time of
`
`the invention, as listed in Exhibit B. In addition, I have reviewed the Joint Claim
`
`Construction and Pre-Hearing Statement. My opinions are also based on my
`
`knowledge, education, training, and experience, in addition to the materials I have
`
`relied upon.
`
`
`
`5
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 6 of 122 PageID: 1015
`
`11.
`
`I am being compensated for the time I have spent on this litigation at
`
`my customary rate of $650 per hour. My compensation does not depend on the
`
`outcome of this litigation.
`
`12.
`
`I understand that I may be asked to provide background information
`
`in this proceeding that will assist the Court to understand the science and
`
`technology relevant to the asserted patents. At hearings and/or trial, I may rely on
`
`materials and documents publicly available or produced in this litigation by UTC,
`
`Sandoz, and/or third parties. I may also rely on visual aids and demonstrative
`
`exhibits that I may prepare or have prepared. I reserve the right to supplement or
`
`amend the foregoing as appropriate if I become aware of any additional relevant
`
`information, or in response to testimony, deposition, reports, or analyses of other
`
`witnesses, including expert witnesses.
`
`13.
`
`I understand that there is one patent at issue in this litigation: U.S.
`
`patent No. 8,497,393 (“the ʼ393 patent”). It is my understanding that the priority
`
`date of the ’393 patent is at least as early as December 17, 2007.
`
`14.
`
`I understand that the claims are viewed from the perspective of a
`
`person of ordinary skill in the art (“POSA”) as of the earliest possible priority date
`
`for the patent-in-suit. A POSA with respect to the patent-in-suit would have had,
`
`at the time of the claimed invention, a doctorate degree in chemistry,
`
`pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical sciences, medicine, or a related discipline.
`
`
`
`6
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 7 of 122 PageID: 1016
`
`Alternatively, the POSA may have had a lesser degree in one of those fields, with
`
`correspondingly more experience. To the extent necessary, a POSA may have
`
`collaborated with others of skill in the art, such that the individual and/or team
`
`collectively would have had experience in synthesizing and analyzing complex
`
`organic compounds.
`
`15. Although my experience exceeds that of a POSA, I understand that
`
`the claims and specification of the patent-in-suit are to be read in view of the
`
`understanding of a POSA as of the priority date of the patent.
`
`16.
`
`I understand that UTC is asserting claims against Sandoz that claim
`
`products comprising treprostinil and other related products made by certain
`
`processes. I further understand that UTC is asserting claims 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, and 16 of
`
`the ’393 patent against Sandoz.
`
`II.
`
`BASE RELATED CLAIM TERMS
`
`17. Claim terms “a base B” and “HB+” are found in the asserted claims of
`
`the ’393 patent and both relate to the chemical concept of a base. In understanding
`
`the meaning of these terms, a POSA would consider the conventional usage of
`
`these terms in the intrinsic and extrinsic evidence. I have been informed that UTC
`
`proposes that each of these terms should be given their plain and ordinary
`
`meaning. Based on my knowledge and experience, I agree that the usage of these
`
`terms in the ’393 patent is consistent with their plain and ordinary meaning.
`
`
`
`7
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 8 of 122 PageID: 1017
`
`18. There are two main mechanistic families of acid-base reactions in
`
`chemistry and two simple theories have been developed and widely accepted in the
`
`chemical arts to describe and understand such reactions and the participating
`
`chemical species. See, e.g., Delafield Decl. Ex. 7 at UTC_REM_II_000001597-
`
`610. These are:
`
`(1)
`
`Bronsted-Lowry acid-base theory. This theory holds that when an acid
`
`and a base react with each other, a proton from the acid is transferred to the
`
`base. In this proton exchange, the acid forms its corresponding conjugate
`
`base and the base forms its corresponding conjugate acid. Many different
`
`structural families of Bronsted-Lowry bases exist and are commonly used in
`
`the pharmaceutical arts to make salts of acidic drug molecules, such as
`
`Treprostinil. All of the base species “B” identified in the ‘393 patent, are
`
`Bronsted-Lowry bases that accept a proton from Treprostinil which
`
`functions as a Bronsted-Lowry acid and proton donor. It is important to
`
`understand the different structural families of Bronsted-Lowry bases, and a
`
`POSA would apply these simple chemical concepts in each specific context
`
`to understand in what structural form the produced salt would exist.
`
`
`
`8
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 9 of 122 PageID: 1018
`
`
`
`(2)
`
`Lewis acid-base theory. A Lewis acid is a chemical substance that
`
`reacts with a Lewis base to form a Lewis adduct. Proton transfer is typically
`
`not involved in Lewis acid/Lewis base reactions. For example, ammonia
`
`(NH3) and hydroxide ion (OH-) are Lewis bases due to their capacity to
`
`donate a pair of electrons to a Lewis acid (an electron pair-acceptor). An
`
`example is given below where the Lewis base ammonia reacts with trimethyl
`
`borane to form the Lewis acid-base adduct where no proton transfer has
`
`occurred.
`
`
`
`
`
`9
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 10 of 122 PageID: 1019
`
`19. To exemplify and understand how the drug substance Treprostinil,
`
`which is an acid, can be converted into a salt, below is the related simple organic
`
`acid acetic acid dissociating in water (as a solvent). In this process, water acts as
`
`the (weak) base that accepts the proton from the acid. The arrows of this equation,
`
`go in both the forward and reverse direction to indicate that the reaction is rapidly
`
`reversible and would be understood by a POSA to represent an equilibrium. Upon
`
`accepting the proton from acetic acid, a water molecule will become protonated
`
`forming the positively charged hydronium ion in the aqueous solution and having
`
`lost a proton (H+), acetic acid is transformed into the conjugate base acetate anion.
`
`In this particular situation, the equilibrium lies strongly to the left because water is
`
`a very weak base.
`
`
`
`
`
`In order to make a stable salt of acetic acid, a POSA would know that a stronger
`
`base would be needed and two examples are provided below.
`
`20.
`
`In the first example, acetic acid is reacted with the common base
`
`NaOH (sodium hydroxide) to form the salt, sodium acetate plus one molecule of
`
`water. Please note that the proton was transferred from the acid, acetic acid to the
`
`
`
`10
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 11 of 122 PageID: 1020
`
`hydroxide ion (OH-) to form a molecule of water. The positively charged sodium
`
`cation pairs with the negatively charged acetate anion to form the salt, sodium
`
`acetate. Please note that the atomic cation Na+ does not have a hydrogen atom (H)
`
`associated with it.
`
`
`
`
`
`21.
`
`In the second example, acetic acid is reacted with the base
`
`diethanolamine to form the corresponding amine salt. Please note that in this case,
`
`the positively charged amine counterion accepts the proton from acetic acid.
`
`22. Treprostinil, which is a carboxylic acid, and has the COOH functional
`
`group that acetic acid has, can also form the corresponding salt forms discussed
`
`above for acetic acid as shown below.
`
`
`
`
`
`11
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 12 of 122 PageID: 1021
`
`(A) Reaction of Treprostinil acid (also called Treprostinil free acid) with
`
`sodium hydroxide forms the salt form, Treprostinil sodium.
`
`
`
`
`
`(B) Treprostinil acid is reacted with the base diethanolamine to form the
`
`corresponding amine salt.
`
`
`
`23. The term “a base B” is found in independent claims 1 and 9 of the
`
`’393 patent. “A base B” is used consistently in each claim which reflects the
`
`conventional usage of this term in the art and therefore does not need to be
`
`construed. I also understand that to the extent the Court requires a construction,
`
`
`
`12
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 13 of 122 PageID: 1022
`
`UTC’s proposed construction for “a base B” is “a substance that produces
`
`hydroxide ions in aqueous solution, a proton acceptor.”
`
`24. To the degree the term needs to be construed, UTC’s proposed
`
`definition is consistent with how that term would be understood by a POSA.
`
`25.
`
`In the chemical context, “a base” can exhibit its property of basicity
`
`through a number of mechanisms. One specific definition out of a well-known
`
`chemistry textbook defines “base” as “a substance that produces hydroxide ions in
`
`aqueous solution, a proton acceptor.” Delafield Decl. Ex. 2 at
`
`UTC_REM_II_000001647. I agree with this definition and have used this
`
`conceptual understanding to teach undergraduate and graduate students
`
`fundamental principles of acid-base chemistry for over thirty-five years.
`
`26. A POSA would understand this as a complete definition for a base
`
`because it includes different mechanisms for which the base may exhibit its
`
`basicity as it encompasses bases that act as hydroxide ion producers or proton
`
`acceptors. The letter “B” itself was (at the time of the invention) and still today is
`
`ubiquitously used to generically represent a base and was readily understood by
`
`POSAs at the time of the invention to include substances that exhibit basic
`
`properties.
`
`27.
`
`It is common in the chemical literature, to see the generic descriptor
`
`“B” used to describe both net neutral as well as negatively charged species. For
`
`
`
`13
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 14 of 122 PageID: 1023
`
`example, the generic descriptor “B” is commonly used to embrace the two generic
`
`descriptors shown below. Delafield Decl. Ex. 3 at UTC_REM_II_000001758;
`
`Delafield Decl. Ex. 4 at UTC_REM_II_ 000005497-98.
`
`Base B in aqueous solution
`
`B + H2O
`
` BH+ + OH-
`
`Base B as hydroxide ion producer
`
`Mg(OH)2
`
` Mg2+ + 2OH-
`
`Base B as proton acceptor
`
`NH3 + H2O
`
` NH4
`
`+ + OH-
`
`In the first reaction, a generic base B is put in solution to form BH+ and OH-. This
`
`general reaction form demonstrates that a base may act as a proton (H+) acceptor
`
`and/or a hydroxide ion (OH-) producer. In the second reaction, the base magnesium
`
`(magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) in solution)1, will spontaneously dissociate in
`
`aqueous solution and produces hydroxide ions (OH-). In the third reaction, the base
`
`ammonia (NH3) accepts a proton (H+) to form the ammonium ion (NH4
`
`+). Both the
`
`magnesium-sourced base magnesium hydroxide and ammonia are bases and form
`
`basic solutions in water.
`
`
`1 A POSA would understand that magnesium in water, or aqueous solution, would form
`magnesium hydroxide.
`
`
`
`14
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 15 of 122 PageID: 1024
`
`28. A POSA seeing the descriptor “B” will be able to determine the
`
`appropriate charges, if any, on the species functioning as a base depending on the
`
`specific chemical context of a specific chemical reaction:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`29. A POSA reading the ’393 patent needing to understand the claim
`
`language specifying a base “B” would rely on the specification of the ’393 patent
`
`and his or her knowledge and experience in pharmaceutical formulations of acidic
`
`drugs, such as Treprostinil which contains a carboxylic acid functional group
`
`capable of forming various types of salts. The ’393 patent uses the broad term
`
`“magnesium” (see for instance, Claim 13 which depends from Claim 9) as a
`
`possible base. A POSA would understand that regardless of the actual specific
`
`magnesium-based chemical species chosen as the base as “magnesium”, the
`
`magnesium salt form would have one of two possible forms as shown below. The
`
`commonly deployed forms of “magnesium” as a base would be the following
`
`species:
`
`(1) Mgo = elemental magnesium
`
`
`
`15
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 16 of 122 PageID: 1025
`
`(2) Mg(OH)2 = magnesium hydroxide
`
`(3) MgH2 = magnesium hydride
`
`(4) MgO = magnesium oxide
`
`(5) MgCO3 = magnesium carbonate
`
`
`
`
`
`30.
`
`If the magnesium-based form of the base “B” were elemental
`
`magnesium (Mgo), a POSA would know that Mgo reacts rapidly with water to form
`
`Mg(OH)2 (magnesium hydroxide). Thus, if the solvent medium for this step was
`
`water or a mixed organic-aqueous solvent system, Mg(OH)2 would be generated
`
`that would react with Treprostinil free acid to form the magnesium salt forms
`
`
`
`16
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 17 of 122 PageID: 1026
`
`depicted above.
`
`31.
`
`If the magnesium-based form of the base “B” were Mg(OH)2
`
`(magnesium hydroxide), a POSA would know that one molar equivalent of
`
`Mg(OH)2 (magnesium hydroxide) could react with one molar equivalent of
`
`Treprostinil free acid forming two molecules of water and form the magnesium salt
`
`
`
`forms depicted above.
`
`
`
`32.
`
`If the magnesium-based form of the base “B” were magnesium
`
`hydride (MgH2), a POSA would know that MgH2, reacts with water to form
`
`Mg(OH)2 (magnesium hydroxide) plus two molar equivalents of hydrogen gas.
`
`Thus, if the solvent medium for this step was water or a mixed organic-aqueous
`
`
`
`17
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 18 of 122 PageID: 1027
`
`solvent system, Mg(OH)2 would be generated that would react with Treprostinil
`
`free acid to form the magnesium salt forms discussed above.
`
`33. Alternatively, if magnesium hydride (MgH2) were used in a non-
`
`protic solvent (such as ether), one molar equivalent of magnesium hydride would
`
`react with one molar equivalent of Treprostinil free acid to form the intermediate
`
`magnesium hydride salt. This species, while capable of existence, would be
`
`unstable to reaction with moisture or a second molar equivalent of Treprostinil free
`
`acid to form the same magnesium salt species described above.
`
`
`
`34.
`
`If the magnesium-based form of the base “B” were magnesium oxide
`
`(MgO), a POSA would know that MgO, reacts with water to form Mg(OH)2
`
`(magnesium hydroxide). Thus, if the solvent medium for this step was water or a
`
`mixed organic-aqueous solvent system, Mg(OH)2 would be generated that would
`
`react with Treprostinil free acid to form the magnesium salt forms discussed above.
`
`35.
`
`If the magnesium-based form of the base “B” were magnesium
`
`carbonate (MgCO3), a POSA would know that MgCO3, would react with
`
`Treprostinil free acid to form the magnesium salt forms discussed above.
`
`
`
`18
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 19 of 122 PageID: 1028
`
`36. What is evident from an analysis of the commonly employed forms of
`
`“magnesium” in the context of serving as a base, a POSA would know that the
`
`final magnesium salt form would be the same type of species regardless of the
`
`magnesium base source and a POSA would know how to manipulate the
`
`stoichiometry, solvent and reaction conditions to achieve the desired magnesium
`
`salt form.
`
`37. As called out in the ’393 patent specification, sodium is specifically
`
`identified as an inorganic base that can be used to form pharmaceutically
`
`acceptable base addition salts. See, ¶ 71; Delafield Decl. Ex. 1 at
`
`UTC_REM_II_000003358, Col. 5:8. Similar to the inventors use of the term
`
`“magnesium”, a POSA would understand that regardless of the actual specific
`
`sodium-based chemical species chosen as the base as “sodium”, the sodium salt
`
`form would have only one possible structure as shown below. The commonly
`
`deployed forms of “sodium” as a base would be the following species:
`
`(1) Nao = elemental sodium
`
`(2) NaOH = sodium hydroxide
`
`(3) NaH = sodium hydride
`
`(4) NaHCO3 = sodium bicarbonate
`
`(5) Na2CO3 = sodium carbonate
`
`
`
`19
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 20 of 122 PageID: 1029
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`38. The ’393 patent itself also uses “B” to denote a base. The ’393 patent
`
`also states that “base B in step (c) may be ammonia, N-methylglucamine, procaine,
`
`tromethamine, magnesium, L-lysine, L-arginine, or triethanolamine” and further
`
`specifies that “those who are skilled in the art will appreciate that [sic] how to
`
`select necessary reagents and solvents in practicing the invention.” Delafield Decl.,
`
`Ex. 1 at UTC_REM_II_000003360, Col. 9:3-5, 15-23. Similarly, claims 5, 13, and
`
`17 of the ’393 patent specifies that base B “is selected from a group consisting of
`
`ammonia, N-methylglucamine, procaine, tromethamine, magnesium, L-lysine, L-
`
`arginine, triethanolamine and diethanolamine.” Id. at UTC_REM_II_000003365.
`
`Thus, a POSA would understand that “a base B” as used in the ’393 patent is used
`
`according to its plain and ordinary meaning or “a substance that produces
`
`hydroxide ions in aqueous solution, a proton acceptor.”
`
`39.
`
`Indeed, many well-known chemistry textbooks specifically define
`
`“base” as a proton acceptor or a hydroxide ion producer, as described in the ’393
`
`patent. Delafield Decl. Ex. 5 at UTC_REM_II_000001586; Delafield Decl. Ex. 6
`
`
`
`20
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 21 of 122 PageID: 1030
`
`at UTC_REM_II_000001589-91; Delafield Decl. Ex. 7 at
`
`UTC_REM_II_000001597-98; Delafield Decl. Ex. 8 at
`
`UTC_REM_II_000001622-23; Delafield Decl. Ex. 9 at
`
`UTC_REM_II_000001641; Delafield Decl. Ex. 10 at UTC_REM_II_000001644;
`
`Delafield Decl. Ex. 4 at UTC_REM_II_000005497-98.
`
`40.
`
`I disagree with Sandoz’s proposed construction of “a base B” as “a
`
`chemical species capable of receiving a proton (hydrogen ion, i.e., H+) from the
`
`product of step (b) to form the positively charged conjugate acid HB+.” A POSA
`
`would not understand that “a base B” would be limited to “a chemical species
`
`capable of receiving a proton (hydrogen ion, i.e., H+) from the product of step (b)
`
`to form the positively charged conjugate acid HB+.” Bases can exhibit their
`
`property of basicity through a number of mechanisms, including by being proton
`
`acceptors or hydroxide ion producers. Those bases that produce hydroxide ion, are
`
`proton acceptors by virtue of the hydroxide ion (OH-) accepting a proton from the
`
`acid forming a water molecule and the positively charged counterion will not
`
`always strictly adopt the formula “BH+” as Sandoz is incorrectly proposing. By
`
`limiting the definition to only “a chemical species capable of receiving a proton
`
`(hydrogen ion, i.e., H+) from the product of step (b) to form the positively charged
`
`conjugate acid HB+”, Sandoz’s construction would eliminate many of the
`
`commonly employed bases in pharmaceutical salt formation, including those
`
`
`
`21
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 22 of 122 PageID: 1031
`
`specifically called out in the ‘393 patent. A POSA would not understand the claim
`
`term “a base B” to be so limited. Sandoz is attempting to narrow the plain and
`
`ordinary meaning and ubiquitously recognized definition of a base “B” to exclude
`
`most of the commonly used bases in pharmaceutical chemistry and manufacturing.
`
`These commonly employed bases are specifically called out in the ‘393 patent and
`
`it was clearly the inventors intention to include such bases.
`
`41.
`
`In fact, Sandoz’s construction for “a base B” is contrary to the
`
`examples in the ’393 patent. Both the specification and several dependent claims
`
`specifically list magnesium as a base B. See, ¶ 38. Magnesium-sourced bases form
`
`the corresponding metal salts (magnesium salts) and are distinct from amine salts
`
`wherein the nitrogen atom of the amine base receives a proton directly from the
`
`acid, such as in the example of diethanolamine. Thus, a POSA would not interpret
`
`“a base B” as “a chemical species capable of receiving a proton (hydrogen ion, i.e.,
`
`H+) from the product of step (b) to form the positively charged conjugate acid
`
`HB+” because Sandoz’s definition limits bases to only one structural type of base
`
`counterion (or the conjugate acid) and the patent itself clearly identifies bases that
`
`produce common pharmaceutical salt forms with their characteristic counterions.
`
`42. For similar reasons I previously described regarding the term “a base
`
`B”, it is my opinion that a POSA would understand the plain and ordinary meaning
`
`of the claim term “HB+” as it is cast in the context of the structural formulae Is and
`
`
`
`22
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 23 of 122 PageID: 1032
`
`IVs that describes the salt forms of Treprostinil. Alternatively, if the Court
`
`determines that the descriptor “HB+” requires construction, a POSA would
`
`understand the descriptor as “the cation formed in aqueous solution by base B
`
`subsequent to reacting base B with the product of step (b).”
`
`43. First, “B” is often used to refer to a base in general. See, ¶¶ 26-28, 38.
`
`Likewise, “BH+” or “HB+” can be used to represent the cation (or positively
`
`charged ion) formed in aqueous solution when it is used in the context of a generic
`
`base B, regardless of the mechanism by which it functions as a base. This is true in
`
`the ’393 patent itself. Both the specification and several dependent claims
`
`specifically list magnesium as a base B. See, ¶ 38. Yet, magnesium-sourced bases
`
`form the corresponding metal salt (magnesium salt) that are distinct from an amine
`
`salt that accepts a proton as part of the cationic species paired with the Treprostinil
`
`anion.
`
`44. My opinion is further supported by the well-known pharmaceutical
`
`reference Aulton’s Pharmaceutics. In Aulton’s, the formula for calculating the pH
`
`of a base uses “B” to represent a base and “BH+” to represent the cation formed
`
`from base B. See, Delafield Decl. Ex. 3 at UTC_REM_II_000001758. On the
`
`same page, base cations are listed such as magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium,
`
`and lithium alongside others such as diethanolamine. Id. While all of these form
`
`positively charged cations, the majority of the cations listed (such as magnesium,
`
`
`
`23
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 24 of 122 PageID: 1033
`
`potassium, sodium, calcium and lithium) do not accept the proton that was
`
`transferred from the acid as that proton typically forms a neutral molecule of water.
`
`A POSA would understand that the commonly used shorthand “BH+” or “HB+”
`
`does not necessarily indicate that the base must accept the proton from the acid as
`
`part of the cationic species paired with the Treprostinil anion (or carboxylate).
`
`45. Like Sandoz’s construction for “a base B,” their construction for
`
`“HB+” is also contrary to the examples in the ’393 patent. Both the specification
`
`and several dependent claims specifically list magnesium as a base B. See, ¶ 38.
`
`Magnesium-sourced bases form metal salts (the corresponding magnesium salt)
`
`whose positively-charged counterions are distinct from amine salts that accept the
`
`proton on the atom bearing the formal positive charge, such as the nitrogen atom of
`
`diethanolamine as shown above. Likewise, magnesium is unable “to form the
`
`positively charged conjugate acid HB+” which under Sandoz’s construction
`
`indicates a covalent bond between the atom of “B” carrying the net positive charge
`
`and “H.” Thus, a POSA would readily understand the structural context of “HB+”
`
`depending on the specific base used in the salt formation and as clearly specified in
`
`the ‘393 patent.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`24
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 25 of 122 PageID: 1034
`
`III.
`
`PRODUCT RELATED CLAIM TERMS
`
`46. The claim terms “product”; “a product comprising a compound of
`
`formula I2:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof”; “(c) contacting the product of step
`
`(h) with a base B to form a salt of formula Is3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`”;
`
`“The product of claim 1, wherein the purity of compound of formula I in said
`
`product is at least 99.5%”; “The product of claim 1”; “A product comprising a
`
`compound having formula IV4
`
`
`2 The structure of Formula I is shown here which I will refer to as “Formula I” for the
`remainder of my declaration.
`
`3 The structure of Formula Is is shown here which I will refer to as “Formula Is” for the
`remainder of my declaration.
`
`4 The structure of Formula IV is shown here which IV will refer to as “Formula IV” for the
`remainder of my declaration.
`
`
`
`25
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 26 of 122 PageID: 1035
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof”; (c) contacting the product of step
`
`5
`(h) with a base B to form a salt of formula IVs
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`”; and
`
`“The product of claim 9” are found in the asserted claims of the ’393 patent. In
`
`understanding the meaning of these terms, a POSA would consider the
`
`conventional usage of these terms in the intrinsic and extrinsic evidence. I have
`
`been informed that UTC proposes that each of these terms should be given their
`
`plain and ordinary meaning. Based on my knowledge and experience, I agree that
`
`the usage of these terms in the ’393 patent is consistent with their plain and
`
`ordinary meaning.
`
`
`5 The structure of Formula IVs is shown here which IVs will refer to as “Formula IVs” for the
`remainder of my declaration.
`
`
`
`26
`
`

`
`Case 3:14-cv-05499-PGS-LHG Document 42-5 Filed 07/07/15 Page 27 of 122 PageID: 1036
`
`47. The term “product” is found in each of these claim terms and is used
`
`consistently in each term which reflects the conventional usage of this term in the
`
`art and therefore does not need to be construed. I also understand that to the extent
`
`the Court requires a construction, UTC’s proposed construction for “product” is “a
`
`substance resulting from a chemical reaction.”
`
`48.
`
`In the chemical context, “product” generally refers to the real world
`
`outcome or r

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket