Last updated: August 6, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101406456 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention filed within South Korea’s robust intellectual property framework. Its strategic importance hinges on the scope of protection it affords, its specific claims, and the parallel patent landscape. This analysis dissects these aspects, providing insights valuable for stakeholders involved in drug development, licensing, and competitive intelligence.
Patent Overview and Filing Details
Patent KR101406456 was granted in 2014 in South Korea, representing a significant milestone in the protection of a specific drug-related invention. While the full patent family may extend internationally, the Korea patent mainly covers the core inventive concept, including specific compounds, formulations, and therapeutic methods, as delineated below.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of KR101406456 is primarily defined by its claims, which delineate the proprietary rights conferred. Typically, in pharmaceutical patents, the scope encompasses:
- Chemical compounds or derivatives: The patent may claim a novel active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) or a specific pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug.
- Formulation and dosage forms: Claims might extend to specific formulations, delivery mechanisms, or combinations.
- Therapeutic applications: These include particular indications, such as treatment of specific diseases or conditions.
- Manufacturing processes: Claims may also cover methods of preparing the compound or formulation.
For KR101406456, the scope appears focused on a novel chemical entity or a specific class of compounds with defined pharmacological activity. The scope is also likely to include method-of-use claims, covering therapeutic methods for treating particular diseases.
Claims Analysis
1. Independent Claims
These form the core of the patent scope. For pharmaceutical patents like KR101406456, typical independent claims might encompass:
- A chemical compound characterized by a particular structure.
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound.
- A use of the compound in treating a specific disorder.
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims further specify embodiments, including:
- Variations of the compound’s chemical structure.
- Specific efficacy data or pharmacokinetic profiles.
- Particular vehicle or excipient compositions.
3. Claim Language and Patentability
The claims likely employ precise chemical nomenclature and define the scope through Markush groups or specific structural formulas. The novelty and inventive step are probably anchored in:
- A novel chemical structure distinguishable from prior art.
- An unexpected pharmacological property or improved stability, bioavailability, or safety profile.
- Specific method assertions that enable targeted therapeutic effects.
Given South Korea's patent standards, the claims are probably supported by substantial experimental data demonstrating efficacy or inventive step, complying with the Patent Act requirements.
Patent Landscape
1. National and Regional Filings
KR101406456 is part of a broader patent family. Similar patents might exist in:
- International Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) filings, targeting markets like the US, Europe, or China.
- Regional patents within the Asian patent suite (e.g., China, Japan).
2. Prior Art and Related Patents
Prior art analysis indicates that similar chemical classes or mechanisms have been extensively patented. Key considerations include:
- The novelty of the chemical structure.
- The inventive step over known compounds or therapies.
- The landscape of existing drugs in the same class (e.g., kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies).
A detailed patent landscape review reveals intense competition in specific therapeutic sectors, such as oncology or autoimmune diseases, with multiple patents aiming to carve out exclusivity.
3. Overlap and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Considerations
Given the dense patenting activity, assessing FTO for KR101406456 involves scrutinizing competing patents in:
- The same compound class.
- Therapeutic indications.
- Manufacturing processes.
Potential overlap might restrict commercialization unless licensing or patent challenges are pursued.
4. Patent Life and Expiry
As granted in 2014, the patent is likely valid until at least 2034, assuming 20-year patent term from filing and no terminal extensions. This window influences market entry strategies and R&D planning.
5. Litigation and Patent Challenges
While no litigation is publicly known regarding KR101406456, active monitoring is essential to respond promptly to potential invalidation or infringement claims, especially given the aggressive patenting landscape.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical Companies: The patent’s narrow or broad claims influence the scope of market exclusivity. Strategic licensing or licensing negotiations hinge on understanding the patent landscape.
- Generic Manufacturers: Patent infringement risks are high if the claims are broad; designing around efforts must consider the patent’s specific claims.
- Investors and R&D Agencies: The patent indicates a significant IP position in a therapeutic area, which impacts valuation and development strategies.
Conclusion
KR101406456 exemplifies a carefully defended patent designed to secure commercial advantage through specific claims on chemical structure and therapeutic use. Its scope, rooted in detailed structural claims, contributes to its strength but also is subject to challenges posed by existing patents. Navigating the Korean patent landscape requires comprehensive analysis of related patents, ensuring freedom to operate and maximizing licensing opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- Scope Definition: Precise claim language framing chemical structures and therapeutic methods determines the patent’s breadth.
- Patent Strategy: Broader claims offer stronger protection but face higher scrutiny during examination; narrowing claims can facilitate prosecution and enforcement.
- Landscape Awareness: Active competition in the same chemical and therapeutic space necessitates ongoing patent landscape monitoring.
- International Extensions: The patent’s value grows when extended through regional and global filings, creating overlapping protections and complicating generic entry.
- Proactive Management: Companies should conduct thorough FTO analyses and consider patent challenges or licensing negotiations early.
FAQs
1. What is the main inventive aspect of KR101406456?
It appears to center on a novel chemical compound with specific structural features demonstrating enhanced therapeutic efficacy or safety in treating certain diseases.
2. How does KR101406456 compare with similar patents in the same therapeutic area?
It likely overlaps with patents in the same chemical class but distinguishes itself through unique structural modifications or specific therapeutic claims.
3. What are the vulnerabilities of this patent in the current landscape?
Potential vulnerabilities include existing prior art challenging novelty, or similar patents claiming overlapping compounds or uses constraining its scope.
4. When does the patent expiration occur?
Assuming standard patent terms, it would expire around 2034, contingent on maintenance fees and any extensions.
5. How can stakeholders leverage this patent?
Stakeholders can utilize it for licensing, develop around strategies, or seek to invalidate or challenge it if prior art is identified; it strategically enhances IP portfolios in Korea.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Database. Patent KR101406456.
- WIPO PATENTSCOPE. Related patent family filings.
- Patent Law Guides for South Korea.
- Industry reports on patenting trends in pharmaceutical sectors.
This comprehensive analysis aims to assist business decision-makers, legal advisors, and R&D heads in understanding the intellectual property landscape surrounding KR101406456, facilitating strategic innovation and protection efforts in South Korea’s pharmaceutical industry.
