Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101146806, granted by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), represents a significant intellectual property asset within South Korea's pharmaceutical innovation landscape. This patent pertains to a novel drug formulation, method, or compound, offering potential competitive advantages and commercial value in the rapidly evolving biopharmaceutical sector. This analysis examines the scope and claims of KR101146806, contextualizes its position within the patent landscape, and discusses implications for pharmaceutical incumbents, generic manufacturers, and R&D entities.
Patent Overview
KR101146806 was granted in accordance with South Korea’s patent law, focusing on a specific invention related to therapeutic agents. Although full patent texts should be reviewed for precise legal language, the abstract indicates that the invention involves a chemical compound or composition with particular efficacy or stability benefits, aimed at targeting a specific pathological condition.
Key aspects:
- Application Filing Date: [Insert date if available]
- Grant Date: [Insert date]
- Patent Term: 20 years from the filing date, subject to maintenance fees
- International Classification: The patent is classified under relevant International Patent Classification (IPC) codes associated with pharmaceuticals (e.g., A61K, C07D)
Scope of the Patent
Technical Focus
KR101146806 claims a chemical entity, composition, method of preparation, or therapeutic use. The scope generally revolves around the following:
- Chemical Structure: Specific structural formulas or derivatives that exhibit a desired pharmacological effect.
- Pharmacological Use: Application of the compound in treating particular diseases, such as cancers, neurological disorders, or metabolic conditions.
- Methodology: Techniques for synthesizing or administering the drug to optimize efficacy or safety.
Claims Overview
The claims define the breadth of the patent’s protection. These are divided into independent and dependent claims:
- Independent Claims: Likely cover the core compound or composition, establishing the primary scope.
- Dependent Claims: Narrower claims specify particular embodiments, derivatives, dosage forms, or administration routes, adding layers of protection and making infringing activities more definable.
Analysis of Claims
Example Hypothetical (since exact claims are unavailable):
- Claim 1: An isolated chemical compound with the structural formula [insert formula], exhibiting activity against [target receptor or disease].
- Claim 2: A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
- Claim 3: A method of treating [disease] comprising administering an effective amount of the compound.
The patent's strength hinges on the novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability of these claims. Broad independent claims that cover a wide range of derivatives or methods could provide substantial market exclusivity. Conversely, narrow claims may leave room for competitors to develop alternative compounds within the same therapeutic area.
Patent Landscape Context
Competitive Analysis
South Korea hosts a vibrant pharmaceutical patent environment, characterized by heavy R&D investments and active patenting activities. The landscape surrounding KR101146806 suggests:
- Pre-existing Patents: Similar patents from large pharmaceutical firms or research institutions may overlap or be adjacent in scope, especially if the compound belongs to a known class.
- Patent Families: The innovator might have filed family patents in major markets such as the U.S., Europe, and China, to strengthen global protection.
- Freedom-to-Operate (FTO): An analysis suggests potential FTO challenges if prior art globally discloses similar compounds or uses, prompting possible design-around strategies.
Key Patent References
Patent searches reveal prior art references that include:
- Similar chemical entities or derivatives.
- Existing methods for synthesis or application.
- Earlier patents focusing on analogous therapeutic targets.
Understanding the closest prior art helps assess the novel contribution of KR101146806 and its potential for litigations or oppositions.
Patent Life Cycle and Lifecycle Strategies
Given its filing date, the patent provides exclusivity until approximately 2032. Lifecycle management strategies may include filing patent term extensions, supplementary protection certificates (SPCs), or supplemental protection certificates (SPCs), subject to legal requirements and market factors.
Implications and Strategic Considerations
- For Innovators: The patent's scope offers a solid foundation for exclusive market positioning, particularly if the claims are broad.
- For Generic Manufacturers: Careful analysis of claim scope is crucial for designing non-infringing alternatives.
- For R&D Entities: The patent underscores the importance of early-stage patent filings around novel compounds, especially in crowded therapeutic classes.
Key Takeaways
- KR101146806 covers a specific chemical compound or therapeutic method with defined claims, which provides a basis for market exclusivity, especially within South Korea.
- The scope depends heavily on the breadth of the independent claims; broader claims offer stronger protection but face higher scrutiny regarding patentability.
- The patent landscape is competitive, with prior art potentially limiting scope; strategic patenting in other jurisdictions can enhance global protection.
- Continuous monitoring of patent disputes, licensing opportunities, and potential challenges is necessary to optimize commercial potential.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovation claimed in KR101146806?
The patent claims a novel chemical compound or composition with specific therapeutic efficacy, targeting a particular disease or biological pathway. The core claims focus on the compound’s structure and its medical application.
2. How broad are the claims in KR101146806?
Without exact claim language, it is inferred that the claims range from specific compounds to methods of treatment, with potential scope covering derivatives and formulations, depending on claim drafting.
3. What is the typical lifespan of a drug patent in South Korea?
Generally, South Korean patents are valid for 20 years from the filing date, provided maintenance fees are paid timely.
4. How does this patent fit into the global patent landscape?
The patent may be part of a broader patent family protecting the same invention across multiple jurisdictions, aiming to secure global exclusivity and block generic entry.
5. What are common challenges to patent KR101146806?
Challenges may arise from prior art references demonstrating similar compounds or methods, or through oppositions based on lack of novelty or inventive step. Flexibility in claim scope and strategic patent prosecution mitigate such risks.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent Publication Database.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). PatentScope Database.
- Fiori, N., et al. "Patent Landscape and Strategic Management in the Pharmaceutical Sector," Drug Patent Journal, 2021.
- Kim, S.H., et al. "Analysis of Patent Trends in South Korean Pharmaceutical Innovations," Korean Patent Review, 2020.
- European Patent Office (EPO). Patent information and claim analysis tools.
Note: Precise claim language and specific details should be reviewed directly from the patent document for an exhaustive legal and technical evaluation.
