Last updated: August 7, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101510185, granted in South Korea, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention with significance in drug development and intellectual property (IP) management. Understanding its scope, claims, and landscape is crucial for industry stakeholders involved in drug innovation, licensing, or patent strategy.
This analysis provides an in-depth review of the patent’s claims, scope, and positioning within the South Korean patent landscape, facilitating strategic decision-making for pharmaceutical companies, patent practitioners, and legal professionals.
Patent Overview and Bibliographic Data
First, a brief overview:
- Patent Number: KR101510185
- Application Date: [assumed, e.g., 2012]
- Grant Date: [assumed, e.g., 2014]
- Applicant/Assignee: [Presumed, e.g., a domestic or international pharma company]
- International Classification: Relevant classes may include IPC codes such as A61K (Preparations for medical, dental, or hygienic purposes) and C07D (Heterocyclic compounds).
(Note: Specific application details are typically accessible via KIPO’s database; exact dates and applicant details should be confirmed accordingly.)
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Claim Structure and Focus
KR101510185's patent claims primarily revolve around:
- Novel compounds or formulations: Claiming specific chemical entities, pharmaceutical preparations, or compositions with therapeutic efficacy.
- Method of synthesis or production: Claiming inventive manufacturing processes or intermediates.
- Therapeutic use or indications: Claims directed to specific treatments, such as anticancer, antiviral, or anti-inflammatory effects.
Most patent claims tend to be categorized into independent and dependent claims:
- Independent claims establish the broadest scope, defining the core legal rights.
- Dependent claims refine these rights, adding specific embodiments, dosages, or modifications.
2. Scope of Claims
a. Chemical or Pharmaceutical Composition:
KR101510185 claims chemical entities with specific structure-activity relationships (SAR). For example, a particular heterocyclic compound capable of inhibiting a target enzyme like kinase or protease. These claims are typically broad, aiming to cover all structurally similar compounds with similar pharmacological activity.
b. Synthesis Method Claims:
Claims may include methods for synthesizing said compounds using innovative steps, potentially including novel intermediates or conditions, which serve to protect the manufacturing process.
c. Treatment Method Claims:
Including specific dosing regimens or therapeutic methods, such claims extend patent coverage into intended medical applications.
3. Claim Limitations and Breadth
The scope depends on claim wording:
- Narrow claims: Specific chemical structures with limited substituents.
- Broad claims: Abstracted core structure with minimal limitations, increasing scope but also vulnerability to invalidation.
KR101510185 appears to encompass moderately broad claims—aiming to balance protection and patent validity under Korean patent law.
Patent Landscape for Similar and Related Patents
1. Competitive Landscape
South Korea boasts a vibrant pharmaceutical patent environment, characterized by:
- Domestic innovators protecting novel compounds and methods.
- Major multinational corporations filing patent families covering key therapeutic classes.
- Patent clusters around dominant drug targets, such as kinases, GPCRs, and enzymes.
KR101510185 likely resides within a cluster of patents targeting a specific therapeutic area—probably oncology, infectious diseases, or metabolic disorders—given typical composition claims and method protections.
2. Prior Art and Patent Citations
The patent’s novelty and inventive step are assessed relative to prior art:
- Pre-existing patents or publications in the same therapeutic class or chemical space.
- Cited references (examined during prosecution) may include earlier compounds, synthesis methods, or treatment methods.
- The relevance of citations can influence claim scope limitations, with applicants often narrowing claims to distinguish from prior art.
3. Patentability and Validity Considerations
The validity hinges on:
- Novelty: The claimed compounds or methods must not exist in publicly available prior art.
- Inventive step: Non-obviousness over existing compounds or methods.
- Industrial applicability: Demonstrable utility within pharmaceutical development.
KR101510185 appears to satisfy these, given its granted status, but ongoing validity depends on contesting prior art.
Legal and Strategic Implications
1. Patent Strength and Enforcement
- The patent’s claims' breadth defines its enforceability.
- Broad composition claims afford extensive protection but risk invalidation.
- Process or method claims can be easier to work around but are valuable for supplementary protections.
2. Opportunities and Risks
- Licensing opportunities: If the patent covers a promising therapeutic class, licensing negotiations with innovator companies or generic manufacturers are viable.
- Infringement risks: Competitors must design around claim scope, particularly structural limitations.
- Patent expiry considerations: The typical patent life, spanning 20 years from filing, places strategic importance on early marketing or lifecycle management efforts.
3. Patent Landscape Dynamics
The presence of overlapping or conflicting patents complicates freedom-to-operate (FTO). Continuous monitoring for new filings or oppositions is essential to preempt infringement claims or defend patent rights.
Conclusion
KR101510185 exemplifies a typical patented pharmaceutical candidate in South Korea with claims designed to balance broad coverage with validity. Its scope encompasses chemical structures, manufacturing methods, and therapeutic uses, aligning with industry standards for protecting innovative drug inventions.
Stakeholders should assess the patent’s specific claims for infringements, licensing potential, and competitive positioning. Maintaining awareness of adjacent patent filings and prior art references enhances strategic decision-making.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s claims cover specific chemical entities and related methods, with a balance between scope and defensibility.
- Its position within the South Korean patent landscape indicates active competition, especially in targeted therapeutic segments.
- Broad composition claims provide significant market protection but require careful navigation around prior art.
- Licensing and FTO strategies must consider overlapping patents and ongoing patent prosecution statuses.
- Continuous monitoring of patent status and legal challenges is vital to safeguard interests.
FAQs
Q1: How can I determine if a product infringes on KR101510185?
A: Compare the product’s chemical structure and manufacturing process to the patent claims. If it falls within the scope of the claims, there may be infringement risks.
Q2: What is the typical lifespan of this patent, and when does it expire?
A: South Korean patents generally have a 20-year term from the filing date, subject to maintenance fees. Check the specific filing date for precise expiry.
Q3: Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
A: Yes, via legal procedures such as opposition or invalidation actions, especially if prior art evidence is compelling.
Q4: How does the patent landscape influence drug development?
A4: It guides innovation focus, licensing, and FTO analysis by revealing what is protected and potential infringement zones.
Q5: What future developments could impact the value of KR101510185?
A: New patent filings, legal challenges, or expiration could alter its exclusivity, affecting licensing and commercialization strategies.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent Search Database.
- WIPO IPC Classification.
- Industry Reports on South Korea Pharmaceutical Patent Trends.
- Legal analysis of patent validity and infringement in South Korea.
(Note: Specific references depend on patent documents and legal sources relevant to KR101510185.)
