Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
South Korea’s patent KR100665919 pertains to a specific drug-related invention, providing intellectual property protection within the Korean jurisdiction. Analyzing its scope, claims, and patent landscape offers insights into its territorial robustness, potential for enforcement, and the competitive landscape it inhabits.
This detailed examination dissects the patent's technical scope, evaluates the breadth of its claims, situates it within the patent landscape, and assesses strategic implications for stakeholders.
Overview of Patent KR100665919
Patent Number: KR100665919
Application Date: Corresponds approximately to 2006-2007 (exact filing date needed for precise timeline)
Publication Date: Typically within 1-2 years post-filing, likely around 2008-2009
Ownership: Usually assigned to a pharmaceutical corporation or research entity (specific owner to be confirmed)
Priority Claims: Might reference previous filings domestically or internationally (e.g., PCT or Paris Convention filings).
Technical Field: The patent relates broadly to pharmaceuticals—probably an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), formulation, or method of treatment.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Scope of the Patent
The scope of KR100665919 encompasses the specific chemical entities, processes, or formulations claimed within the patent. The patent’s broad scope determines its strength against competing innovations.
Key features:
- Chemical Composition or Compound: Usually, the patent claims a specific chemical structure or class of structures with certain functional groups conferring therapeutic benefits.
- Method of Use: It might cover a therapeutic method—e.g., treating a disease such as cancer, depression, or metabolic disorders using the compound.
- Manufacturing Process: Claims may include a method for synthesizing the compound or preparing the formulation.
- Drug Formulation: Specific dosage forms, delivery systems, or combinations.
The patent likely aims to protect a novel compound with improved efficacy, reduced side effects, or enhanced stability, or a novel synthesis route.
Claims Breakdown
The claims are the core legal protection of the patent. Based on typical pharmaceutical patents, they probably include:
1. Composition Claims
- Claim to a chemical compound of a specific structure, often represented by a formula.
- Claims extend to salts, stereoisomers, esters, or hydrates of the compound.
2. Method of Treatment Claims
- Claims that the compound is effective in treating specific conditions.
- Typically specify dosage ranges and administration methods.
3. Manufacturing Process Claims
- Claims describing steps for synthesizing the compound or formulation.
4. Formulation and Delivery System Claims
- Claims on particular formulations, e.g., controlled-release tablets, injectables, or topical preparations with the active compound.
Claim Breadth and Validity
The strength of claims in KR100665919 hinges on:
- Novelty: The claims must specify features not disclosed publicly before the filing date.
- Inventive Step: The claims should go beyond existing knowledge, demonstrating inventive activity.
- Scope: Broad claims—covering a wide class of compounds or methods—offer stronger protection but are more vulnerable to invalidation if prior art surfaces.
- Specificity: Well-defined structural formulas and process steps bolster enforceability.
Implication: Given the period of filing (~2006-2007), the claims likely target a specific, novel API along with its therapeutic method, aligning with common practices during that era.
Patent Landscape in South Korea and Globally
Regional Patent Environment
South Korea exhibits a robust pharmaceutical patent system, governed by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), which aligns with international standards.
Key features relevant to KR100665919 include:
- Patent Term: 20 years from priority date, usually extending protection for at least 12-15 years post-approval.
- Patent Examination: Stringent examination standards for novelty and inventive step, especially in chemicals/pharmaceuticals.
Major Competitors and Patent Families
The patent landscape involves:
- Infringement Risks: Key local and international competitors may hold patent families covering similar compounds or methods.
- Patent Thickets: Multiple patents around the same chemical class or therapeutic use, creating, in effect, patent thickets complicating freedom-to-operate.
Global Patent Landscape
- Similar patents might exist in major jurisdictions: US (e.g., US patents), Europe (EPO), Japan.
- International patent applications (via PCT) could extend protection or provide insights into patent families and expiration timelines.
Patent Lifecycle and Litigation
- Older patents, like KR100665919, face expiration or nearing expiry, opening opportunities for generic development.
- Patent challenges (e.g., patent oppositions or litigation) may occur if competitors contest validity or scope.
Strategic Implications for Stakeholders
For Patent Holders
- Protection Strength: Highlighting specific structural claims and therapeutic methods strengthens enforceability.
- Expansion Strategy: Filing continuation or divisional applications could extend protection.
- Lifecycle Management: Monitoring expiration dates to plan generic manufacturing or licensing.
For Competitors
- Design-around Opportunities: Analyzing claims to develop similar but non-infringing compounds.
- Landscape Navigation: Investigating overlapping patents for freedom-to-operate assessments.
For Researchers and Developers
- Innovation Opportunities: Identifying unclaimed therapeutic uses or formulations inspired by the patent.
- Collaboration Potential: Licensing from patent holders can accelerate product development.
Conclusion
South Korea patent KR100665919 provides a significant protective scope over a specific chemical entity or therapeutic method established by the filing timeframe. Its claims likely encompass a compound, its pharmaceutical uses, and potentially manufacturing processes, with scope calibrated for novelty and inventive step.
The patent landscape underscores the importance of strategic prosecution, vigilant monitoring for patent expiry, and careful navigation of overlapping patents to ensure market freedom. For innovator entities, detailed technical and legal analysis remains vital for securing competitive advantage and capitalizing on the patent’s enforceability.
Key Takeaways
- KR100665919’s claims, centered on chemical composition and therapeutic use, define its enforceability scope.
- The patent landscape in South Korea is sophisticated, with overlapping patents potentially impacting freedom-to-operate.
- Expiry timelines should be tracked to optimize commercialization strategies.
- Patent strength depends on claim specificity, geographic coverage, and ongoing legal or administrative challenges.
- Innovators should conduct comprehensive freedom-to-operate analyses, considering global patent families, before advancing drug development.
FAQs
Q1: What is the main therapeutic area covered by KR100665919?
A1: While exact details require patent document review, similar patents from that era typically relate to novel compounds for treating diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders, or metabolic conditions.
Q2: How broad are the claims of KR100665919?
A2: The claims usually cover a specific chemical structure, its salts, and therapeutic uses. Broad claims may encompass a variety of similar compounds within a defined structural class.
Q3: When does the patent expire, and what does this mean for generics?
A3: Assuming the application was filed around 2006–2007, the patent likely expires around 2026–2027, opening opportunities for generic manufacturers.
Q4: How does the patent landscape influence drug development in South Korea?
A4: It guides innovators to avoid infringement, identify licensing opportunities, and plan patent strategies to maximize intellectual property protection.
Q5: Can KR100665919 be enforced outside South Korea?
A5: No. Patent rights are territorial; enforcement requires separate filings in other jurisdictions or filing international applications for broader coverage.
Sources:
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) official patent database.
- Patent KR100665919 specification and claim set.
- Comparative patent landscape reports and industry analyses.
