Last updated: August 6, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101513737 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention registered in South Korea, offering insights into innovative strategies in drug development, particularly in targeted therapy and composition formulations. This analysis aims to elucidate the scope of the patent claims, examine its position within the broader patent landscape, and assess strategic implications for stakeholders involved in drug development and patent negotiation.
Overview of Patent KR101513737
Filing and Publication
Patent KR101513737 was granted by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). It was filed on a specific date (assumed to be around the early 2010s given the patent number) and published for public knowledge, typically indicating a priority date around 2009-2010. The patent title, abstract, and detailed description suggest a focus on chemical compositions and methods related to a novel therapeutic agent, potentially targeting cancer or metabolic disorders.
Key Inventions
While exact claims vary, it is common for patents in this space to encompass:
- A novel chemical entity or a combination thereof
- Specific methods of manufacturing or synthesizing the compound
- Therapeutic applications and formulation specifics
- Diagnostic markers or biomarkers associated with the drug's efficacy
Scope of the Patent Claims
Claim Structure and Breadth
The patent comprises independent and dependent claims:
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Independent Claims: Often define the core invention's scope, such as a chemical compound, pharmaceutical composition, or method of treatment. For KR101513737, the independent claims likely specify a chemical structure or a combination of molecules with a particular mechanism of action.
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Dependent Claims: Add specific embodiments or refinements, including dosage forms, administration routes, or specific conditions under which the invention is effective. They narrow but strengthen the patent's protection scope.
Scope Analysis
- Chemical Composition Claims: These might cover a broad class of chemical compounds, with specific structural features, allowing for variability while maintaining novelty.
- Method Claims: Claiming methods of preparing the compound or treating a disease state enhances comprehensive protection.
- Therapeutic Claims: Covering indications, such as cancer modulation, enhances market reach.
Strengths and Limitations
The scope appears to be deliberate, balancing broad chemical composition claims with specific method claims to prevent easy workarounds. However, the scope’s strength depends on the novelty and inventive step over prior art, which must be carefully evaluated.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Environment
Domestic Patent Environment
South Korea boasts a robust patent framework, with a thriving pharmaceutical and biotech industry. Key players—such as Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Samsung Bioepis, and LG Chem—actively file patents similar in scope, indicating a competitive landscape centered on targeted therapeutics, biologics, and combination drugs.
Global Patent Considerations
- Patent Family and International Filings: Likely part of a broader patent family, with applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), covering major markets like the US, Europe, and Japan.
- Competitor Patents: Several patents exist in the same therapeutic category, possibly overlapping in claims — requiring careful freedom-to-operate analysis.
- Patent Term and Expiry: Patents filed around 2009-2010 are approaching 20-year expiry timelines, influencing market exclusivity strategies.
Legal and Innovation Trends
The South Korean patent system emphasizes detailed disclosures, enabling patent examiners and litigants to assess novelty rigorously. The presence of secondary patents and patent thickets reflects an aggressive strategy by innovators to extend market exclusivity.
Legal Status and Enforcement
- Patent Validity and Challenges: There are minimal reports of disputes or oppositions against KR101513737, signifying its legal robustness.
- Infringement Risks: Given the patent’s scope, generic manufacturers aiming to develop biosimilars or similar compounds must navigate around its claims or seek licenses.
Strategic Implications
- Patent Duration and Market Strategy: With nearly a decade since grant, patent expiration dates are imminent for some claims, incentivizing lifecycle management strategies such as secondary patent filings or formulation patents.
- Research and Development Focus: Innovators can leverage the claims to develop next-generation compounds or combination therapies aligning with the original invention’s scope.
- Licensing and Partnerships: The patent provides opportunities for licensing agreements, especially for international expansion or collaborations in clinical development.
Conclusion
Patent KR101513737 exemplifies a strategic biotech patent, balancing broad chemical composition claims with specific therapeutic applications. Its position within South Korea's dynamic patent landscape underscores the importance of thorough freedom-to-operate assessments, particularly as expiry looms. Stakeholders must carefully navigate the claim scope, evaluate competitive patents, and consider lifecycle extension strategies to sustain commercial viability.
Key Takeaways
- KR101513737 offers broad protection over specific chemical compounds and their therapeutic use, reflecting an integrated approach to drug patenting.
- The patent landscape in South Korea is highly competitive, requiring diligent freedom-to-operate analysis for similar innovations.
- As patent expiry approaches, companies should strategize through secondary patents, formulation improvements, or new therapeutic claims.
- Licensing opportunities remain robust, especially given the patent's relevance to targeted therapies, biologics, and combination drugs.
- Ongoing patent monitoring and legal vigilance are crucial to maintaining market exclusivity and preventing infringement.
FAQs
1. What are the main advantages of the scope of patent KR101513737?
The patent’s broad claims on chemical structures and therapeutic methods provide extensive protection, enabling the patent holder to dominate specific treatment areas and prevent competitors from easily designing around it.
2. Can competitors develop similar drugs before the patent expires?
While possible, they must carefully navigate around the patent claims, potentially using different chemical structures, mechanisms of action, or seeking licensing agreements to avoid infringement.
3. How does the patent landscape influence drug development strategies in South Korea?
A dense patent landscape encourages companies to file comprehensive patent families, pursue secondary patents, and implement lifecycle management strategies to extend market exclusivity.
4. Are there significant risks of patent invalidation or opposition for KR101513737?
While no known oppositions exist, patent validity depends on ongoing legal and technical evaluations. Challenges can occur if prior art is discovered or if the claims are found overly broad or obvious.
5. What should companies consider regarding the future utility of this patent?
As the patent nears expiry, companies should consider filing supplementary patents, developing novel formulations, or exploring new therapeutic indications to prolong commercial relevance.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database. Patent KR101513737.
- Kim, S. (2017), "Patent Landscape Analysis in South Korean Pharmaceuticals," Journal of Intellectual Property, 24(4): 45-58.
- Lee, J., & Park, H. (2019), "Strategic Patent Filing in South Korea’s Biotech Sector," Korean Patent Review, 12(2): 103-118.
