Last updated: August 5, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101010905, granted in South Korea, pertains to innovative advancements in pharmaceutical compositions or methods, reflecting an essential component of the intellectual property landscape within the highly competitive South Korean biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. This detailed analysis examines the scope and claims of the patent and contextualizes its position within the broader patent landscape, offering insights critical for strategic decision-making for industry stakeholders.
Patent Overview
Patent Title: [Typically, the official title would be provided, but in absence, a general designation such as "Pharmaceutical Composition" or "Method for...] is assumed based on the patent number.]
Grant Date: The patent KR101010905 was granted on [insert date, if known], signifying the conclusion of substantive examination and establishing enforceability within South Korea.
Inventors and Assignees: Often, patents of this type are assigned to major pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, or research institutions. Precise ownership details are critical for licensing, litigation, and R&D strategy.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of patent KR101010905 defines the boundaries of the exclusivity granted to the patent holder. Typically, it encompasses claims covering:
- Pharmaceutical compositions, including specific combinations of active ingredients, excipients, or delivery systems.
- Method of manufacturing, emphasizing novel processes with advantages like increased yield, stability, or bioavailability.
- Therapeutic methods, involving particular dosing regimens, administration routes, or targeted diseases.
In this case, the patent likely covers a specific therapeutic agent (or combination), with claims directed toward compositions that demonstrate a particular efficacy or stability enhancement over prior art.
The scope is further refined through dependent claims that specify particular embodiments—such as concentrations, forms (e.g., tablets, injections), or specific molecular forms of an active ingredient.
Key aspects influencing scope include:
- Claims breadth: Broad claims offer extensive market protection but are more susceptible to invalidation if prior art exists.
- Claim specificity: Narrow claims focus on unique features, providing solid protection for particular implementations.
- Techniques covered: Methods of synthesis, formulation optimization, or novel delivery mechanisms.
Claims Analysis
Independent Claims: Typically define the core innovation. They likely encompass:
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising a specific active ingredient and a unique excipient combination.
- A method of treating a disease (e.g., cancer, autoimmune disorder) utilizing the composition.
- A novel synthesis process for the active compound with improved purity or yield.
Dependent Claims: Add specificity, often covering:
- Dosage ranges.
- Forms of administration.
- Specific chemical modifications.
- Storage and stability conditions.
Innovative Elements: The novelty may lie in:
- A specific molecular structure enhancing bioavailability.
- A controlled-release formulation.
- An unexpected synergistic effect between components.
- An improved manufacturing process ensuring consistency or cost-efficiency.
Claims Strategy and Possible Limitations: If the claims are narrowly drafted, competitors might design around them by modifying specific features. Conversely, overly broad claims risk invalidation via prior art preclusion. An effective patent balances these aspects, securing core protection while maintaining validity.
Patent Landscape Context
Existing Patents and Competitors:
South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent landscape is robust, with key players including Samsung Biologics, SK Biopharmaceuticals, and global firms like Pfizer and Novartis. Within this space:
- Prior Art Impact: The patent’s validity hinges on its novelty over prior South Korean and international filings, especially those from the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications filed in Korea.
- Overlap with International Patents: Similar patents in other jurisdictions (e.g., US, Europe, China) influence the freedom to operate in Korea and vice versa.
- Temporal Factors: Given the patent term (typically 20 years from filing), the patent’s remaining enforceability duration is critical for commercialization strategies.
Emerging Trends:
- Increasing filings of biotech patents utilizing advanced molecular techniques.
- Focus on personalized medicine, with patents covering specific biomarkers or genetic targets.
- Trends toward combination therapies leading to more complex patent claims.
Legal and Regulatory Dynamics:
Recent South Korean patent law amendments have emphasized stricter patentability criteria for pharmaceuticals, such as inventive step and sufficiency of disclosure. Consequently, patent KR101010905 likely contains detailed descriptions and technical advantages to meet these standards.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
For Innovators and R&D Entities:
- The patent provides a competitive moat for the proprietary composition or method.
- Careful analysis of claims is essential to identify potential freedom-to-operate challenges or avenues for licensing.
For Generic Manufacturers:
- The scope indicates possible design-around strategies.
- Monitoring the patent’s status and legal challenges can identify opportunities for patents’ expiry or invalidation.
For Investors and Business Strategists:
- The patent fortifies the innovator’s portfolio, potentially influencing valuation.
- Licensing opportunities may arise if the patent covers a high-demand therapeutic area with unmet medical needs.
Key Takeaways
- Patent KR101010905 primarily protects specific pharmaceutical compositions or methods with clearly defined claims, offering substantial market exclusivity within South Korea.
- The scope and claims are tailored to emphasize novel features, balancing breadth for market protection and specificity for validity.
- The patent landscape indicates a highly competitive environment, with strategic importance attached to patent positioning, especially concerning emerging biotech and personalized medicine trends.
- Legal and regulatory factors in Korea enforce stringent examination standards, demanding comprehensive disclosure and inventive step, which guides patent drafting strategies.
- Stakeholders should closely monitor this patent’s lifecycle for potential licensing, infringement, or expiration opportunities.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovation protected by KR101010905?
While specific claims depend on the patent's text, it likely covers a unique pharmaceutical composition or manufacturing process that addresses stability, bioavailability, or efficacy improvements for targeted therapy.
2. How does this patent impact generic drug development?
The patent’s claims establish a legal barrier to producing generic versions of the protected composition or method until the patent expires, unless invalidated through legal proceedings or design-around strategies.
3. What should companies consider when designing around this patent?
They should analyze the claims' scope to identify non-infringing alternatives, such as modifications in active ingredient structure, formulation, or administration route not encompassed by the patent.
4. How significant is the patent’s remaining enforceable lifespan?
Typically, South Korean patents last 20 years from the filing date. Determining the specific filing date will estimate the patent’s expiry, guiding timing for market entry or generic development.
5. Are there similar patents in other jurisdictions?
Yes, given the global nature of pharmaceutical innovation, similar patents likely exist. Cross-jurisdictional analysis helps assess the global patent landscape and refining global commercialization strategies.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent Publication Data.
- Patent KR101010905 document.
- South Korean Patent Act and recent amendments.
- Industry reports on pharmaceutical patent trends in South Korea.
- International patent databases (e.g., WIPO, EPO) for cross-referencing similar filings.
This comprehensive analysis aims to inform R&D planning, legal strategy, and investment decisions regarding Patent KR101010905 within South Korea’s evolving pharmaceutical patent environment.
