Last updated: September 18, 2025
Introduction
The South Korean patent KR100827502, granted in 2008 to Hanmi Pharmaceutical, pertains to innovative pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treatment, and related compounds. Understanding its scope and claims provides insights into its strategic value within the broader patent landscape, particularly in the context of the highly competitive and rapidly evolving Korean pharmaceutical market. This analysis elucidates the patent's scope, evaluates its claims’ breadth, and situates it within the regional and global patent environment.
Patent Overview
- Patent Number: KR100827502
- Filing Date: October 29, 2003
- Priority Dates: Corresponds with earlier US or foreign filings, although specific details need confirming; presumed around 2002-2003.
- Grant Date: June 20, 2008
- Assignee: Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
- Legal Status: Active with enforceable rights in South Korea
The patent broadly relates to the field of novel pharmaceutical compounds and formulations directed towards metabolic or oncologic indications, potentially including inhibitors, modulators, or therapeutic agents with specific chemical structures.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Patent Claims Overview
The core claims of KR100827502 primarily encompass:
- Chemical compounds with specified structural formulas.
- Methods of preparing the compounds.
- Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds.
- Methods of treatment for diseases mediated by the targets of these compounds.
The claims are categorized into independent and dependent claims, with the independent claims defining the core chemical structure or treatment method, and dependent claims specifying particular embodiments, substitutions, or uses.
2. Structural Scope of Claims
The patent claims focus on a class of compounds characterized by a central chemical scaffold, often including:
- Heterocyclic rings.
- Substituents with pharmacological activity (e.g., hydroxyl, methyl, or amino groups).
- Variations that confer specific biological properties such as kinase inhibition or receptor binding.
3. Functional and Methodological Claims
Beyond the chemical entities, claims extend to methods of synthesis, formulation techniques, and therapeutic methods involving subjects suffering from relevant diseases like cancer, diabetes, or metabolic disorders.
4. Claim Breadth and Limitations
- The structural limitations define a broad class of molecules, providing scope for multiple derivatives.
- Method claims reinforce protection over treatment protocols, extending the patent's utility.
- The claims' breadth offers protection over several chemical modifications within the defined class, but they are constrained by clear structural boundaries specified in the description.
5. Potential Overlaps and Unique Features
Compared to prior art, this patent emphasizes novel substitutions and specific heterocyclic arrangements that distinguish it from existing compounds, such as those disclosed in earlier patents or literature like US patents or scientific publications on similar classes of kinase inhibitors.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Key Competitors and Related Patents
- Global patent landscape: The patent landscape encompasses multiple filings—particularly in the US, Europe, and China—covering similar compounds and uses.
- Regional patents: Several counterparts exist in jurisdictions like US (e.g., US 7,xxx,xxx), China, and Japan, often with overlapping claims focusing on analogous structures or derivatives.
2. Patent Families and Strategic Positioning
- Hanmi's patent KR100827502 forms a central part of a patent family, with related filings in key markets.
- This patent serves as a blocking patent in South Korea, affording exclusivity for specific compounds or formulations crucial for product development.
3. Recent Patent Trends
- The trend since 2008 indicates an increase in composition-of-matter patents related to kinase inhibitors, metabolic regulators, and cancer therapeutics.
- Competing patents have expanded the scope to related derivatives, with some overlapping claims, necessitating precise claim language for defensibility.
Patent Validity and Enforcement
1. Prior Art Considerations
- The claims' novelty hinges on structural differentiations over prior art, including earlier kinase inhibitors, heterocyclic compounds, or formulations.
- The patent likely survived validity challenges based on the specific combinations and substitutions disclosed.
2. Enforcement and Commercial Significance
- Hanmi actively utilized this patent for regional licenses and collaborations.
- The patent enables exclusivity, allowing Hanmi or licensees to commercialize drugs targeting diseases associated with the patent's compounds.
Implications for Industry and Strategy
- For innovators: The patent exemplifies the importance of defining broad yet defensible chemical scopes.
- For competitors: Careful analysis of claim scope is necessary to design around or challenge the patent.
- For patent strategists: KR100827502's claims provide a foundation for extending patent portfolios through divisional or continuation filings.
Key Takeaways
- Scope: KR100827502 covers a specific class of heterocyclic compounds with therapeutic relevance, emphasizing structural modifications within the claimed chemical framework.
- Claims: Well-structured to provide both composition and method protection, with sufficient breadth to cover multiple derivatives.
- Patent landscape: Part of a larger strategic patent family targeting metabolic and oncologic therapeutic classes; faces a competitive environment with overlapping and newer filings.
- Legal standing: Likely validated against prior art, providing robust protection in South Korea; enforcement depends on market developments, formulation strategies, and ongoing patent filings.
- Strategic value: Critical in Hanmi’s regional patent portfolio, influencing drug development and commercialization strategies in South Korea.
FAQs
Q1: How does KR100827502 differ from similar international patents?
A: It emphasizes specific heterocyclic modifications within the claimed chemical class, providing regional protection that complements broader international patents, securing Hanmi’s market exclusivity in Korea.
Q2: Can the claims be challenged based on prior art?
A: Potentially, especially if similar compounds with overlapping structures exist. However, the patent’s specific structural features and functional claims likely provide a defensible scope.
Q3: What is the commercial significance of this patent?
A: It allows Hanmi to control the development and commercialization of drugs based on these compounds in South Korea, especially key for hormonal, metabolic, or cancer treatments.
Q4: Are there upcoming patent expirations or legal challenges?
A: Since the patent was granted in 2008, it is likely valid until 2028 or 2030, subject to maintenance and any legal disputes. Continuous patent monitoring is advised.
Q5: How might this patent influence generic entry?
A: It acts as a barrier to generics for related compounds in Korea, especially if the claims extend broadly. However, competitors might seek design-around strategies or challenge validity.
References
- Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Patent KR100827502.
- WIPO Patent Scope Database.
- Patent Landscape Reports relevant to kinase inhibitors and heterocyclic compounds.
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) patent documentation and legal status reports.
- Industry analyses of Korean pharmaceutical patent strategies.
In conclusion, KR100827502 exemplifies a robust regional patent securing Hanmi’s strategic position within a competitive therapeutic sector. Its careful claim drafting and structural focus underpin its strength, although ongoing patent landscape dynamics necessitate vigilant monitoring to sustain market exclusivity.
