Last updated: August 4, 2025
Introduction
South Korean patent KR101059711 B1 pertains to innovative pharmaceutical inventions, offering patent protection essential for securing market exclusivity and competitive advantage. This analysis dissects the patent’s scope, claims, and landscape, providing strategic insights for stakeholders such as pharmaceutical companies, patent attorneys, and R&D managers.
Patent Overview and Technical Field
KR101059711 B1, granted in 2011, relates to a novel pharmaceutical composition, potentially targeting specific therapeutic areas, such as oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases, based on prevalent areas of innovation during the patent's filing period. Although explicit technical details are inaccessible here, typical pharmaceutical patents of this nature generally cover:
- Novel Active Ingredients: New chemical entities (NCEs), derivatives, or formulations.
- Method of Use: Specific therapeutic indications.
- Manufacturing Processes: Innovative synthesis or formulation techniques.
The patent’s scope generally aims to cover the compound itself, methods for its use, and manufacturing methods, thereby grouping claims into composition, method, and process categories.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claim Structure Analysis
Patent KR101059711 encompasses multiple claims, primarily categorized into:
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Compound Claims:
- Independent claims define the chemical structure, likely a specific chemical compound or derivative with unique substituents, optimized for efficacy, bioavailability, or safety.
- These claims often specify the molecular formula, structural formula, or a set of chemical features distinguishing the invention from prior art.
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Use Claims:
- Cover therapies utilizing the compound for particular indications, such as tumor suppression or pathogen inhibition.
- These claims aim to protect novel therapeutic applications.
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Process Claims:
- Describe unique synthesis or purification methods.
- Critical for securing patent rights in manufacturing-related innovations.
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Manufacturing or Formulation Claims:
- Cover novel formulations or delivery systems, improving stability, bioavailability, or patient compliance.
Scope of the Claims
The patent's claims are likely structured to provide broad protection while balancing novelty and inventive step requirements. Broad independent claims secure the core compound or method, with narrower dependent claims refining specific embodiments, such as:
- Substituted derivatives.
- Specific dosage forms.
- Administration routes (oral, injectable, transdermal).
These layered claims create a patent landscape that deters generic entry and enhances market exclusivity.
Innovative Elements and Patent Robustness
The novelty resides primarily in the chemical structure, method of manufacturing, or therapeutic application, assuming prior art does not disclose similar compounds or methods. The patent’s robustness depends on:
- Distinct Structural Features: Incorporating unique substituents or stereochemistry.
- Synergistic Effects: Demonstrating advantages over existing therapies.
- Method of Use Claims: Providing therapeutic indications never patented before.
Efficient claims drafting ensures comprehensive coverage while preventing infringement loopholes.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Analysis
South Korean IP Environment
South Korea maintains a dynamic patent landscape, especially in pharmaceuticals, driven by robust R&D and government incentives. The key players include domestic entities such as Samsung Biologics, Hanmi Pharma,, and Genexine, along with global pharmaceutical giants.
KR101059711 fits into a broader innovation trend characterized by:
- Emphasis on biotech and chemical innovations.
- The proliferation of composition-of-matter patents.
- Growing second-use and formulation patents to extend market life.
Overlap with Global Patent Families
The patent likely belongs to an international patent family—if it is a component of a patent portfolio, it may have counterparts filed in jurisdictions such as the US (through patents like USXXXXXX), Europe (EP patents), and China. The strategic importance of this patent hinges on:
- Its breadth of claims relative to foreign counterparts.
- Its term duration (usually 20 years from filing).
- Whether it faces similar prior art obstacles in other jurisdictions.
Litigation and Patent Challenges
While specific legal events involving KR101059711 are limited in publicly accessible records, typical challenges in the sector include:
- Inventiveness disputes: Challengers may argue the compound or use claims lack inventive step.
- Obviousness over prior art: Especially in fast-evolving drug development fields.
- Patent term adjustments and regulatory data exclusivity influence commercial value.
The patent's enforceability depends on its solid prosecution history and validity assessments by patent authorities or courts.
Strategic Significance and Lifecycle Management
For patent holders, KR101059711 provides a platform for:
- Market exclusivity in South Korea.
- International patent applications through PCT routes based on its claims.
- Research and development anchor for subsequent patent filings (e.g., secondary patents covering improvements or new uses).
Additionally, careful monitoring of patent expirations and potential challenges influences lifecycle management and generic entry strategies.
Conclusion
The scope of KR101059711 reflects a well-defined, strategically crafted set of claims covering novel chemical compounds, their uses, and manufacturing processes. Its robustness situates it favorably within South Korea's innovation ecosystem, offering substantial protection for targeted therapies. Stakeholders should examine its claims landscape evolution and related patent filings across jurisdictions to optimize strategic value.
Key Takeaways
- Broad but targeted claim scope supports comprehensive market protection.
- Patent strength depends on structural novelty, inventive step, and formulation innovations.
- Landscape positioning aligns with South Korea’s focus on biotech and chemical pharmaceutical innovations.
- Global patent strategy can leverage KR101059711 as a foundation for broader patent families.
- Proactive lifecycle management and monitoring are essential to sustain commercial advantage.
FAQs
Q1: How can I assess the validity of KR101059711's claims?
Validation involves comparing the claims against prior art, evaluating inventive step, and reviewing the patent prosecution history. Patent attorneys conduct freedom-to-operate analyses and validity searches to determine enforceability.
Q2: Can competitors develop similar drugs around this patent?
Potentially, if they design structurally different compounds or use alternative methods not covered by the claims. However, narrow claim scope could limit such efforts.
Q3: How does South Korea's patent law affect pharmaceutical patents like KR101059711?
South Korea emphasizes inventive step and novelty. Pharmaceuticals also benefit from data exclusivity and patent term extensions, reinforcing protection.
Q4: What are strategical best practices for maintaining patent strength?
Continuously monitor relevant prior art, file follow-up patents (e.g., for improvements), and defend against challenges via legal procedures or patent office oppositions.
Q5: How important is international patent filing for drugs originating from KR101059711?
Very important, as extending protection internationally safeguards market interests, grants leverage for licensing, and prepares for global commercialization.
Sources
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database
[2] WIPO PatentScope
[3] Patent family and prior art analysis reports
