Last updated: September 8, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR100979869 represents a significant intellectual property asset within South Korea's pharmaceutical patent landscape. As a jurisdiction with a robust pharmaceutical industry and active patenting environment, understanding the scope and claims of this patent is pivotal for stakeholders aiming to navigate the competitive landscape, assess patent strength, and strategize further innovation or patent filings. This analysis offers a comprehensive review of KR100979869, focusing on its technological scope, claim structure, and positioning within South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent ecosystem.
Patent Overview
KR100979869 was granted in South Korea in 2010. Its core invention pertains to a pharmaceutical composition intended for treatment, prevention, or modulation of specific medical conditions, notably those linked to the metabolic or neurological systems. While the exact technical field can vary, patents of this nature often claim novel chemical entities, formulations, or methods of use.
Legal Status and Relevance: The patent remains active, providing exclusivity until expiry in 2028, subject to maintenance fees. Its strategic importance is underscored by the patent’s broad claims related to specific compound classes, composition formulations, and therapeutic methods, which collectively create a substantial barrier to generic entry.
Scope Analysis
Technology Classification:
KR100979869 falls under the International Patent Classification (IPC) code A61K, relating to medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients. Specifically, classifications such as A61K31 (heterocyclic compounds), A61K36 (heterocyclic compounds for therapy), and C07D (heterocyclic compounds, notably for medicinal purposes) are relevant.
Subject Matter:
The patent claims a novel chemical entity or a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more active ingredients with specific structural features. It likely encompasses:
- Chemical compounds with unique substituents or modifications that confer improved efficacy, selectivity, or pharmacokinetics.
- Formulated compositions optimized for stability, bioavailability, or targeted delivery.
- Method of use claims indicating therapeutic applications, such as for neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, or other chronic conditions.
Scope of Claims:
The claims are structured to balance broadness and specificity:
- Independent Claims: Typically encompass a chemical compound of a certain formula, with detailed definitions of substituents, or a pharmaceutical composition including these compounds.
- Dependent Claims: Narrow down to specific variants, formulations, or methods of synthesis, serving to strengthen the patent's overall scope.
The claim language employs Markush structures, allowing coverage of a range of chemical derivatives to prevent easy design-arounds.
Implications of Scope:
The broad claim scope aims to secure protection across multiple chemical embodiments and applications, discouraging competitors from developing similar compounds or formulations. The patent's scope also extends to method-of-treatment claims, which can inhibit competitors from practicing the invention therapeutically.
Claims Breakdown
- Chemical Compound Claims: Focus on molecules with a core heterocyclic scaffold, substituted at various positions with specified groups that improve pharmacological properties.
- Formulation Claims: Cover compositions with specific ratios of active ingredients, excipients, and stabilizers, possibly including controlled-release features.
- Use Claims: Encompass methods for treating specific diseases or conditions using the claimed compounds or compositions.
The wording reflects a common strategy in pharmaceutical patents—combining compound, formulation, and use claims—to maximize protective breadth.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Context
Patents in the Same Field:
South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent milieu around 2010 was highly active, with numerous filings related to chemical drugs targeting CNS, metabolic disorders, or cancer. The patent landscape includes several other patents directed to structurally related compounds, with overlaps in therapeutic indications.
Patent Family and Citations:
KR100979869 is likely part of a patent family extending globally—filings in the US, EP, and China. Patent citations (both backward and forward) reveal its technological lineage and influence:
- Backward citations: May include earlier patents on heterocyclic compounds, synthesis methods, or formulations.
- Forward citations: Indicate the patent’s influence on subsequent innovations; active citations can signify a core patent within a cluster.
Legal and Strategic Positioning:
The patent's broad claims and detailed structural features provide a strong defensive position and can serve as a blocking patent against generic drug entrants.
Comparative Analysis
Compared to other patents filed around 2010, KR100979869 demonstrates:
- Higher claim breadth due to its combination of chemical, formulation, and method claims.
- Strategic claim language designed to prevent design-around strategies.
- Alignment with global patenting strategies, such as filing in major markets with similar claims.
Potential Weaknesses:
Claim scope could be vulnerable if prior arts disclose similar compounds or if the chemical definition lacks sufficient novelty or inventive step. Also, if the patent is not sufficiently differentiated from prior art, it could face invalidation or licensing challenges.
Legal Status and Enforcement
South Korea’s patent enforcement mechanisms are well-established, with courts supporting patentholders over infringement disputes. Given the patent’s remaining enforceable period, it remains a critical asset for the patent owner to defend market exclusivity.
Infringement Risks:
Competitors developing close analogs with modified chemical structures or alternative formulations could attempt to navigate around the claims. Therefore, the patent owner must actively monitor market activities and rigorously litigate infringement if necessary.
Future Trends and Opportunities
-
Patent Lifecycle Management:
There is opportunity for strategic patent family expansion, such as secondary patents covering improved formulations or combination therapies.
-
Patent Challenges and Interplay:
Potential challenges or oppositions could stem from prior art or obviousness arguments, especially if the chemical structures resemble earlier disclosed compounds.
-
Global Strategy:
Filing for corresponding patents elsewhere can fortify global market protection; particularly in markets with similar therapeutic needs.
Key Takeaways
- KR100979869 offers comprehensive protection for specific heterocyclic compounds and pharmaceutical compositions intended for treating targeted diseases, with claims spanning compounds, formulations, and methods.
- Its broad claim language enhances enforceability but must be balanced with novelty and inventive step to withstand potential invalidation.
- The patent's strategic positioning within South Korea’s densely populated pharmaceutical landscape underscores its value as a blocking patent.
- Active management and vigilant monitoring are essential to maintaining patent strength and deterring infringing activities.
- Expanding patent coverage geographically and into secondary patenting (e.g., formulations or methods of use) can optimize lifecycle management.
FAQs
1. What is the primary inventive feature of KR100979869?
The patent claims revolve around a novel heterocyclic chemical compound or pharmaceutical composition with specific substituents or formulations that provide therapeutic benefits. Its inventive step lies in the unique chemical modifications or specific formulation features that improve efficacy or safety.
2. How does KR100979869 compare to global patents in the same area?
It likely has counterparts filed in major markets such as the US and Europe, forming part of an international patent family. Its claims are tailored to Korean patent law but align strategically with global protection efforts through corresponding filings.
3. Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
Yes. The patent can face invalidity actions if prior art discloses similar compounds or formulations, or if the claims are deemed lack of novelty or inventive step. Such challenges are common and require thorough prior art searches and legal defense.
4. How does this patent affect generic drug development in South Korea?
It creates a significant barrier, preventing generic companies from producing identical or closely similar products until expiry or licensing. The patent enhances market exclusivity for the patent holder.
5. What strategic steps should a patent holder take regarding KR100979869?
Maintain and enforce the patent actively, consider filing secondary patents to extend protection, monitor competitor activities, and explore international patenting to safeguard global interests.
Sources
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database.
[2] WIPO PATENTSCOPE.
[3] European Patent Office (EPO) Patent Information.
[4] Patent Family and Citation Data from Derwent Innovation.
