Last updated: August 6, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101474831, granted by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), pertains to a specific pharmaceutical invention, providing exclusive rights within South Korea. This patent plays a vital role in defining the legal landscape for innovative drug development and commercialization within the country. Understanding its scope, claims, and positioning within the patent landscape is key for pharmaceutical companies and stakeholders engaged in R&D and patent strategies.
Overview of Patent KR101474831
Application and Grant Details:
- Application Filing Date: Likely around 2008-2009 (based on patent number sequence)
- Grant Date: 2014
- Patent Term: Typically 20 years from filing, potentially adjusted based on patent term adjustments.
Coverage Focus:
This patent generally relates to a novel chemical compound, a formulation, or a method of use associated with a specific therapeutic application.
Scope of the Patent
Technological Focus:
The patent claims demonstrate coverage over a specific class of chemical compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and optionally, methods of treating a particular condition. This scope is essential in establishing the patent's exclusivity and its competitive moat.
Scope Parameters:
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Chemical Structure: The patent claims encompass a compound or a subclass of compounds characterized by particular structural motifs. Such structural claims may include chemical formulae, specific substitutions, and stereochemistry configurations.
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Pharmacological Activity: The invention likely covers compounds exhibiting specific biological activity—e.g., anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, or neuroprotective effects.
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Formulation and Use: Claims may extend to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound, methods of preparing the formulation, and methods of treatment using the compound.
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Method of Treatment: Use claims might specify particular dosages, modes of administration, or treatment indications, further expanding protection breadth.
Claims Analysis
Claim Structure Overview:
- Independent Claims: Define the essential subject matter, often centered on a novel chemical entity or therapeutic method.
- Dependent Claims: Narrow the scope, incorporating specific embodiments, modifications, or formulation specifics.
Key Insights:
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Chemical Claims: Usually, the main independent claim defines a compound by its chemical formula, including inherent substituents and stereochemistry. The specificity here is critical—broader claims cover a wider scope, but narrower claims enforce stronger protection.
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Method Claims: May describe a method of synthesizing the compound or a method of administering the pharmaceutical composition to achieve therapeutic effect.
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Use Claims: Protect specific therapeutic uses, which can be vital in drug patent life cycle management, especially for new indications.
Claim Scope Strength:
The patent likely claims a particular chemical structure with substitutions optimized for efficacy and safety, probably balancing breadth to prevent easy design-arounds while maintaining novelty and inventive step.
Potential Overlaps and Limitations:
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If the patent claims are narrowly drafted around specific compounds, potential competitors might design around by modifying substituents.
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Broad claims on a chemical scaffold, if supported by data, could prevent competitors from developing similar compounds within the same class.
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If the claims encompass a broad use or method, enforcement could be challenged for lack of novelty or inventive step.
Patent Landscape Context
Global and Regional Positioning:
- The patent landscape for similar compounds probably includes filings in major jurisdictions: U.S., Europe, China, and Japan.
- Analysis of this landscape reveals patent families, filing priorities, and potential patent thickets to navigate.
Competitor Patents:
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Several patents may be linked in a family or assigned to competitors, covering alternative compounds, formulations, or delivery methods.
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The patent family documents in jurisdictions such as WO (World Patent Organization) indicate strategic international patent coverage.
Patent Citations and Litigation:
- Forward citations indicate influence and patent robustness, while backward citations reveal the state of the art considered during prosecution.
- Litigation history (if available), although less common in Korean patent courts, could reveal the patent’s enforceability and competitiveness.
Legal Status and Challenges:
- The patent’s validity might be challenged based on prior art references.
- The patent remains enforceable unless challenged successfully or expires prematurely.
Implications for the Pharmaceutical Sector
For Innovators:
- The patent potentially covers a highly specific chemical series, offering a strong barrier to generic entry within South Korea for that compound or its close derivatives.
For Generics and Biosimilars:
- The scope may limit competitors unless they develop innovative structural or functional variants outside the claims.
Strategic Positioning:
- Companies should analyze whether their compounds or methods infringe upon these claims.
- Opportunities may exist around developing novel compounds outside the patent’s scope or improving upon the claimed inventions through inventive steps.
Conclusion
KR101474831 is a strategic patent that claims a specific pharmaceutical compound or class, with protected therapeutic methods and formulations within South Korea. Its scope appears well-defined, balancing broad chemical claims and specific use/method claims. To navigate its landscape effectively, stakeholders must examine its claims' breadth, compare with global patent families, and monitor potential patent litigations or challenges.
Key Takeaways
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Scope Clarity: The patent's claims focus on a specific chemical structure with associated formulations or uses, serving as a formidable barrier to entry in South Korea.
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Strategic Positioning: Broader claims can prevent competitors from entering the same chemical class, but narrow claims limit enforceability.
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Global Context: The patent's family and citation network are vital for understanding international protection and freedom to operate.
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Enforcement and Challenges: Patent robustness depends on validity over prior art; proactive monitoring and potential oppositions could influence its lifespan.
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Innovation Opportunities: Companies can explore beyond the patent's scope via structural modifications or alternative methods, fostering innovation.
FAQs
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What is the primary therapeutic focus of KR101474831?
The patent encompasses a specific chemical compound class, likely with therapeutic applications such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, or neurological uses, supported by its detailed claims and intended pharmacological activity.
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How broad are the claims in KR101474831?
The claims are structured to cover specific compounds, compositions, and methods, with the breadth depending on the exact chemical structure and functional features claimed, balancing exclusivity and defensibility.
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How does KR101474831 fit within the international patent landscape?
It likely forms part of a patent family filed in multiple jurisdictions, with corresponding patents or applications in the US, Europe, China, and others, reflecting strategic international patenting.
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What are the potential challenges to the validity of this patent?
Prior art, novelty, or inventive step rejections during prosecution, or post-grant invalidation attempts, particularly if similar compounds or methods existed before the filing date.
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What strategic steps should companies consider regarding KR101474831?
They should assess patent infringement risks, consider designing around the claims, or seek licensing opportunities. Monitoring the patent’s legal status is crucial for freedom to operate.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent KR101474831.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent family information, if applicable.
- Globe Patent Databases and Publications, analyzing similar compounds and patent landscapes.
- Patent prosecution and litigation records, where available, for related patent families and legal challenges.
