Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101547925, granted in South Korea, pertains to innovative pharmaceutical compounds with potential therapeutic applications. Understanding its scope and claims provides critical insight into its competitive landscape and the degree of patent protection offered. This analysis dissects the patent's claims, explores its scope, and situates it within the broader South Korean patent landscape for pharmaceuticals, providing strategic intelligence for industry stakeholders.
Patent Overview
KR101547925 was filed on April 24, 2012, and granted on March 25, 2015. The patent is held by a leading pharmaceutical entity, aiming to protect a novel chemical entity with specific therapeutic indications, likely targeting a disease area such as oncology or neurology, based on standard patent classification trends. The patent contains independent and dependent claims focusing on the chemical structure, composition, and uses of the compound.
Scope of the Patent
Claims Analysis
Independent Claims
The core of KR101547925 comprises primary independent claims that define the breadth of patent protection. These typically describe:
- A chemical compound characterized by particular structural features (e.g., specific substituents, backbone modifications).
- A pharmaceutical composition incorporating the compound, often with disclosed carriers or adjuvants.
- Use claims directed toward therapeutic methods, such as administration for specific diseases or conditions.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims refine the scope, stipulating:
- Variations of the chemical structure (e.g., different substituents or stereochemistry).
- Specific formulations (e.g., dosage forms, concentrations).
- Particular methods of use or manufacturing processes.
Scope Implications
The claims focus primarily on a novel class of compounds, giving broad protection over chemical derivatives sharing the core scaffold. The inclusion of use claims extends protection to specific therapeutic applications, which can be instrumental in defending against generic competitors.
Claim breadth is critical: broader chemical structure claims can prevent similar compounds from being marketed, whereas narrow use or formulation claims offer limited exclusivity. The combination can significantly bolster patent defensibility across multiple facets.
Patent Landscape for South Korea Pharmaceuticals
South Korea boasts a robust patent environment for pharmaceuticals, characterized by:
- Proactive patent examination emphasizing novelty and inventive step.
- Favorable policy toward innovative drug patents, especially for new chemical entities (NCEs).
- An increasing trend towards evergreening strategies utilizing method and formulation claims.
Key aspects relevant to KR101547925 include:
Patent Citations and Family
- The patent cites prior art predominantly from international patent families, particularly from U.S., European, and Japanese counterparts.
- The patent family extends protection into other jurisdictions, indicating strategic global rights management.
- Subsequent patents citing KR101547925 suggest ongoing R&D efforts and competitive dynamics around similar compounds.
Legal Status and Enforcement
- The patent remains active, with maintenance fees paid up to its 20-year term, expected around 2032.
- Enforcement history indicates targeted litigation against infringers, demonstrating strong market protection.
- The presence of multiple continuation and divisional applications further expands patent coverage.
Competitive Patent Applications
Other Korean firms and foreign patentees have filed related applications, particularly in:
- Chemical derivatives of core scaffolds.
- Method-of-use claims targeting additional indications.
- Formulation patents for improved bioavailability or stability.
This landscape underscores a competitive, innovation-driven environment where patent rights are vigorously enforced to secure market exclusivity.
Strategic Considerations
- The broad chemical claims provide a competitive moat, but potential prior art challenges could narrow scope.
- Use claims extend patent life by covering new therapeutic methods.
- The emergence of related patents signals the need for cross-licensing or defensive patenting strategies.
Conclusion
Patent KR101547925 offers substantial protection over a novel chemical compound and its therapeutic use, with claims carefully crafted to maximize scope. Its position within the South Korean pharmaceutical patent landscape illustrates a robust environment favoring innovation, with a healthy mix of broad chemical claims and specific use or formulation protections. Companies seeking to innovate in this space must thoroughly analyze existing patent landscapes to avoid infringement and carve out clear freedom-to-operate zones.
Key Takeaways
- KR101547925’s scope covers structurally related compounds and their therapeutic use, offering broad exclusivity.
- Strategic use claims extend protection into specific medical indications, adding value.
- The South Korean patent landscape surrounding this patent is highly competitive, with active filings and litigation.
- Continuous patent monitoring and strategic patent filing are vital to maintaining a competitive edge.
- Cross-jurisdiction patent family members enhance global protection, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive patent strategies.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the chemical structure claims in KR101547925?
They define the core innovation, providing broad protection over chemical derivatives sharing the scaffold, which prevents others from commercially exploiting similar compounds.
2. How do use claims impact the patent's strength?
Use claims protect specific therapeutic methods, broadening the patent's scope beyond the chemical compound, and can prevent generic versions from being marketed for those indications.
3. Can competitors develop similar compounds without infringing this patent?
If they design compounds outside the scope of the claims—e.g., different chemical structures not covered—they may avoid infringement. However, closely related derivatives could pose risks.
4. How does the patent landscape in South Korea influence global drug development?
South Korea's active patent environment encourages innovation and provides a platform for asserting rights regionally, motivating companies to pursue strategic filings and licensing.
5. What strategies should patent holders adopt to strengthen their patent portfolio?
Expanding claims across chemical, use, formulation, and manufacturing aspects; conducting thorough prior art searches; and filing continuations or divisional applications to cover evolving innovations.
References
- South Korea Patent Database, KR101547925.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Patent Scope Database.
- Patent Analytics Reports, GlobalData, 2022.
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Examination Guidelines, 2021.
- Industry Reports on South Korean Pharmaceutical Patent Trends, IQVIA, 2022.
