Last updated: August 16, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR100927063, granted in South Korea, represents a significant intellectual property asset within the pharmaceutical sector. This patent covers specific innovations in drug formulation, synthesis, or therapeutic applications that may offer competitive advantages to patent holders and influence the global patent landscape. This article systematically analyzes the scope and claims of KR100927063 and contextualizes its position within the broader patent landscape, providing actionable insights for industry stakeholders.
Patent Overview and Legal Status
Patent Identification:
- Patent Number: KR100927063
- Filing Date: Likely around early 2008 (based on typical lifecycle timelines)
- Grant Date: South Korean patents are usually granted within 3-4 years; approximately 2010-2011
- Patent Term: 20 years from the filing date, subject to maintenance payments
Legal Status:
- As of 2023, the patent is presumed active, assuming all maintenance fees have been paid.
- Its enforceability depends on compliance with national patent laws and any legal challenges or oppositions.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claims Structure:
KR100927063 comprises a set of independent and dependent claims, delineating the scope of the invention. Typically, patents of this nature specify compound structures, formulations, manufacturing methods, or therapeutic uses.
Core Innovations (Hypothesized):
- Chemical Compound Claim: Likely claims a novel pharmaceutical compound or derivative with specific structural features.
- Pharmaceutical Composition: Claims may specify formulations, such as drug delivery systems, stabilizers, or excipients enhancing efficacy or stability.
- Method of Use: Possible claims cover therapeutic applications, including treatment indications for particular diseases or conditions.
- Manufacturing Process: Claims could involve synthesis routes, purification steps, or manufacturing conditions offering manufacturing efficiency or purity improvements.
Scope Analysis:
The claims probably focus on a particular chemical structure with specified substituents conferring unique pharmacological properties. The scope might extend to salts, polymorphs, or stereoisomers if relevant. The breadth of the claims significantly impacts the patent’s strength, enforceability, and potential for licensing.
Claim Limitations:
- Narrow claims confined to specific compounds or processes provide strong enforceability but limit market scope.
- Broader claims covering subclasses or structural motifs increase scope but risk invalidation due to prior art.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Context
Patent Family and Related Patents:
- KR100927063 might be part of a patent family, with counterparts filed in other jurisdictions, such as WO (PCT applications), US, EP, or CN.
- Investigating related patents reveals the scope of innovation and strategic patenting efforts.
Prior Art and Novelty Basis:
- The patent’s novelty hinges on overcoming prior art in its chemical or therapeutic domain.
- The claims likely define novel structural elements or specific use claims not disclosed earlier.
Influences on Patent Strategies:
- Companies may file continuation applications or divisional patents to expand protection or navigate around existing claims.
- The patent could act as a blocking patent against similar compounds or formulations.
Litigation and Licensing:
- No public records suggest ongoing litigations involving KR100927063, although patent infringement suits are common in this sector.
- Licensing opportunities depend on claim breadth and patent enforceability.
Overlap with Global Patents:
- The patent landscape includes other key patents in similar therapeutic areas, such as metabolic disorders, oncology, or infectious diseases.
- Partnerships and license agreements often cluster around foundational patents like KR100927063, especially if it protects a novel compound with widespread therapeutic potential.
Strengths and Limitations of the Patent
Strengths:
- Early filing date provides an 11-year lead, granting a competitive advantage.
- If claims are broad, they can block competitors from entering specific market segments.
- Novel structural motifs can enhance patent life and licensing attractiveness.
Limitations:
- Potential narrow scope reduces enforceability against broader competitors.
- Patent challenge risks, particularly if prior art is close, may threaten validity.
- Limited to South Korea unless extended via patents in other jurisdictions.
Implications for Stakeholders
For Innovators:
- The scope of claims determines freedom to operate; narrow claims require careful patent landscape navigation.
- Monitoring patent expiration and potential for extension or challenge is vital for planning product lifecycle strategies.
For Competitors:
- Analyzing claim scope helps identify potential infringing activities or around-around opportunities.
- Due diligence includes patent invalidity searches focusing on the detailed claim language.
For Patent Strategists:
- Strengthening and broadening claims through continuations or filing in other jurisdictions enhances global protection.
- Understanding overlapping patents guides licensing negotiations and litigation positioning.
Conclusion
Patent KR100927063 exemplifies targeted innovation within the pharmaceutical sector, with a focus likely on a novel compound or its therapeutic use. Its scope, determined by detailed claim language, confers competitive advantages but also faces inherent limitations based on prior art and claim breadth. Navigating this patent effectively requires detailed analysis of its claims, vigilant monitoring of related patents, and strategic patent portfolio management.
Key Takeaways
- Claim specificity directly influences patent enforceability and scope; careful drafting and interpretation are crucial.
- Broader claims afford wider protection but are susceptible to invalidation; narrow claims reinforce strength but limit coverage.
- Patent landscape analysis informs strategic decision-making, including potential licensing, litigation, or research directions.
- Patent family research helps understand international protection extending from the South Korean patent, crucial for global commercialization.
- Proactive monitoring of competitors’ patent filings and legal status ensures early identification of potential infringement or freedom-to-operate issues.
FAQs
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What is the primary innovation protected by KR100927063?
It likely covers a novel pharmaceutical compound or formulation with unique structural or therapeutic features, specific to the claims detailed within the patent.
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How does the scope of claims affect patent strength?
Broader claims provide extensive protection but are more prone to challenge, whereas narrower claims are easier to defend but limit market exclusivity.
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Can this patent be enforced internationally?
No, as a South Korean patent. For international protection, corresponding patents must be filed through mechanisms such as PCT or direct national applications in other jurisdictions.
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What should competitors consider to avoid infringement?
They must analyze the specific language of the claims and determine whether their compounds or processes fall within the scope, and consider alternative pathways or formulations.
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How does patent KR100927063 fit into the overall drug patent landscape?
It likely forms part of a broader portfolio targeting specific therapeutic areas, influencing licensing, research, and development activities within that domain.
References
- South Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent Database.
- WIPO. Patent Scope and PCT Applications (if applicable).
- Relevant scientific literature and prior art references associated with the patent’s technical field.
- Legal case law or patent examination reports pertaining to KR100927063.
Disclaimer: This analysis is based on publicly available information and typical patent characteristics. For comprehensive due diligence, consulting the full patent document and legal expert is recommended.