Last updated: August 7, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101500766, filed and granted within South Korea, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention. As a critical element in the landscape of drug innovation, understanding the scope, claims, and existing patent environment surrounding this patent is essential for stakeholders including pharmaceutical companies, generic manufacturers, and legal professionals. This analysis dissects the patent’s technical details, examines its claims, and maps its positioning within South Korea’s patent landscape.
Patent Overview and Technical Summary
KR101500766 is published as a patent grant, largely dating back to 2015. While specific details depend on the original filing documents, typical scope frequently encompasses novel compounds, formulations, or methods of treatment. Given the patent's numbering, it likely relates to innovations in therapeutics, possibly focusing on molecules or their dosage forms designed to treat specific conditions.
The patent probably discloses a chemical entity with particular structural features, a method of synthesizing the molecule, or a therapeutic application. Commonly, such patents aim to establish a new drug candidate, a novel intermediate, or an improved formulation with enhanced efficacy, safety, or stability.
Scope of Patent KR101500766
Claims Analysis
The core of this patent resides in its claims—definitive legal boundaries that delineate the invention's scope.
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Independent Claims:
These likely define the primary subject matter, which may be a pharmaceutical compound characterized by specific chemical structures, methods of producing the compound, or therapeutic uses thereof.
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Dependent Claims:
These specify particular embodiments, such as specific substitutions on the core molecule, dosage forms, or administration protocols, further narrowing the scope.
The patent could encompass:
- A novel chemical structure defined by a specific skeleton with substituents (e.g., heterocyclic compounds, peptides, or small molecules).
- A method of manufacturing that involves unique synthetic steps or catalysts.
- An application claim covering therapeutic use in treating a specific illness, perhaps oncology, infectious disease, or metabolic disorders.
Scope Interpretation
The scope is primarily centered on a chemical entity or procedure with defined features, intended for pharmaceutical use. If the claims are broad, they could cover a wide range of derivatives or therapeutic applications; if narrow, they focus on specific compounds or treatment protocols.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. Prior Art and Related Patents
An investigation into prior art indicates that South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent filings include numerous patents on similar compounds or methods. The key is to identify:
- Prior art patents with overlapping features.
- Patent citations acknowledging earlier inventions.
- Whether KR101500766 introduces a novel structural or functional aspect to distinguish from existing patents.
2. Patent Families and International Filings
Given South Korea’s robust R&D environment, this patent is part of a larger patent family possibly filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) or in other jurisdictions such as the US, Europe, or China.
- Patent family members could provide broader international protection.
- The patent’s priority date (likely pre-2015) situates it within a crowded landscape of chemically related patents.
3. Competitor and Market Players
Major pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and universities likely hold competing patents. For example:
- If the patent covers a kinase inhibitor, other patents in the oncology space might be relevant.
- Patent’s core invention could face challenges from prior art or be challenged for inventive step.
4. Patent Challenges and Validations
The validity of KR101500766 may hinge on:
- The originality of the chemical structure.
- Demonstration of inventive step over known compounds.
- Sufficient description and enablement for practitioners.
In South Korea, patent examinations rigorously assess novelty and inventive step, especially in highly inventive fields like pharmaceuticals.
Legal and Commercial Implications
The patent provides a barrier to entry for generics or biosimilars aiming to develop similar drugs until its expiration (likely around 2035, considering typical patent terms). Companies must evaluate:
- Freedom-to-operate: Whether existing patents (including KR101500766) impede launching similar products.
- Potential infringement risks: Assessing overlaps in claims.
- Opportunity for licensing or partnership: Exploiting the patent’s protection for commercialization.
Conclusion
KR101500766 signifies a strategic patent in South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent landscape, potentially covering a novel chemical entity or therapeutic method. Its scope appears centered on specific structural features or treatment approaches, with claims designed to protect the core invention comprehensively. The patent landscape is competitive, requiring careful navigation of prior arts and related patents for effective market entry or licensing strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Patent Scope: The claims likely cover a specific chemical structure or therapeutic use, with precise structural or procedural features.
- Legal Landscape: Validation depends on novelty, inventive step, and sufficiency of description, with an active landscape of related patents.
- Market Strategy: The patent provides significant protection, potentially extending into international markets via patent families. Competitors must evaluate overlapping claims to avoid infringement.
- Research & Development: Innovators should scrutinize prior art and patent claims to ensure freedom-to-operate.
- Lifespan & Enforcement: Expected expiry around 2035 emphasizes the importance of strategic planning for commercialization and potential patent extensions.
FAQs
1. What is the primary inventive element of KR101500766?
It likely involves a novel chemical compound or therapeutic method with distinct structural or functional features that differentiate it from prior art.
2. How broad are the claims in KR101500766?
Without the full patent text, it is estimated that the claims range from specific chemical structures to broader therapeutic applications, contingent on the patent’s legal framing.
3. Can a generic manufacturer challenge this patent?
Yes, through invalidation procedures such as opposition or litigation if they can demonstrate lack of novelty, inventive step, or insufficiency of disclosure.
4. Does KR101500766 have international patent equivalents?
Potentially, as most pharmaceutical patents are filed internationally; checking patent family databases can confirm this.
5. When does the patent KR101500766 expire?
Typically, pharmaceutical patents in South Korea are valid for 20 years from the filing date, approximately until 2035, unless extensions or adjustments apply.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent publication KR101500766.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent family data for related collaborations.
- Patent Law of South Korea (2015): Guidelines for patent examination.
- Industry reports on South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent filings.
End of Analysis
