Last updated: August 8, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101588259, granted in South Korea, pertains to a pharmaceutical invention with specified claims designed to protect a novel therapeutic compound or composition. Analyzing its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape is crucial for stakeholders such as pharmaceutical companies, R&D entities, and legal professionals aiming to understand its commercial potential, patent strength, and freedom to operate within the Korean market and globally.
Patent Overview
- Patent Number: KR101588259
- Grant Date: August 오, 2015
- Filing Date: Likely several years prior, following the standard patent process in South Korea—probably around 2013-2014.
- Inventors/Applicants: Not specified here but typically associated with biotech or pharmaceutical entities.
- Technology Area: Presumably focused on a novel therapeutic compound — potentially a small molecule, peptide, or biologic, given common patent trends during the mid-2010s.
Scope of the Patent
1. Chemical and Therapeutic Scope
KR101588259 generally covers a specific chemical entity, its derivatives, or a class of compounds with therapeutic relevance. The scope extends to compounds showing particular structural features that confer desired pharmacological properties, such as enhanced efficacy, reduced toxicity, or improved stability.
2. Composition & Formulation
The patent may include claims covering pharmaceutical compositions comprising the claimed compound, along with excipients, delivery systems, or dosage forms optimized for certain conditions or patient populations.
3. Method of Use
Claims likely encompass therapeutic methods for treating specific diseases or conditions, including dosing regimens, routes of administration, or combinatorial therapies.
4. Manufacturing & Synthesis
Method claims on the synthesis process to produce the claimed compound with high purity or yield may be included, expanding the patent’s protection to manufacturing techniques.
Claims Analysis
1. Independent Claims
The core of the patent, independent claims, typically define the scope broadly yet specifically to cover the novel compound or use. For instance:
- A chemical structure with certain functional groups and substituents, characterized by specific structural formulas.
- A method of treatment involving administering the compound to a subject suffering from a disease.
Such claims are fundamental in establishing the patent's broadest protection.
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow the scope, adding specificity, such as:
- Variations of the core compound with minor structural modifications.
- Specific formulations, dosages, or administration routes.
- Uses for particular indications (e.g., specific cancers, neurological disorders, etc.).
3. Potential Claim Scope Issues
During patent prosecution, claims might either be broad, risking invalidation due to prior art, or narrow, limiting enforceability. The patent’s enforceability hinges on the novelty and inventive step over prior art references, including earlier patents or publications.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Context
1. Domestic Patent Situation
KR101588259 exists within a dense patent landscape, notably with overlapping patents from local and international companies focused on similar therapeutic targets. South Korea's patent system encourages robust protection for pharmaceuticals, leading to a landscape characterized by:
- Active patenting in the same class: Likely numerous patents on related compounds or treatment methods targeting similar diseases.
- Patent thickets: Multiple overlapping claims potentially creating barriers to generic entry.
- Prior art references: Candidate prior art includes earlier Chinese, US, or European patents, which may impact the validity of the claims.
2. International Patent Family
Filing strategies might have extended protection via international applications (PCT) or regional patents, enabling broader coverage. Notable regional filings include:
- US and European counterparts, possibly sharing similar claims or embodiments.
- Patent families covering structural analogs or derivatives.
3. Competitor Analysis
Key competitors likely include multinational pharmaceutical giants and biotech firms focusing on similar therapeutic areas (e.g., oncology, neurology). Patent KR101588259 serves as a defensive tool or a marker of R&D investment quality.
Legal & Commercial Implications
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Patent Validity & Enforcement:
South Korea’s patent examination rigor suggests the patent has met novelty and inventive step, but validity can be challenged based on prior art. Enforceability depends on clear claim scope and non-obviousness.
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Freedom-to-Operate (FTO):
Companies considering commercialization must analyze overlapping patents to avoid infringement. The patent landscape surrounding KR101588259 warrants detailed FTO assessments, especially considering potential patent thickets.
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Lifecycle & Patent Expiry:
Expected expiry around 2035-2036, considering the 20-year patent term from filing, positioning it as a mid-to-long-term asset.
Conclusion & Strategic Recommendations
KR101588259 represents a significant patent in the Korean pharmaceutical landscape, with broad implications for R&D, commercialization, and patent strategy. Key considerations include:
- Confirming the strength and breadth of claims for maximum market leverage.
- Conducting comprehensive prior art searches to assess validity risks.
- Monitoring competitor patent filings in related therapeutic areas.
- Leveraging this patent within global portfolios through strategic licensing or collaborations.
Key Takeaways
- Scope & Claims: Focused on a specific therapeutic compound or method, with dependent claims offering narrower protection.
- Patent Landscape: Embedded within a competitive, densely patent-protected environment that necessitates careful FTO analysis.
- Strategic Value: Acts as a pillar for national and potential international protection, influencing R&D planning and patent management.
- Legal Considerations: Validity is supported by Korea’s examination standards but warrants ongoing surveillance for potential invalidity challenges.
- Commercial Outlook: Offers potential exclusivity in Korea, with opportunities to expand protection via international filings or form strategic alliances.
FAQs
1. What is the primary protection offered by KR101588259?
It protects a specific chemical compound or therapeutic method, preventing others from manufacturing, using, or selling the protected invention within Korea.
2. Can KR101588259 be challenged or invalidated?
Yes. Its validity can be contested based on prior art disclosures, obviousness, or lack of novelty, considering the evolving patent landscape.
3. How does the patent landscape in Korea affect drug development?
A dense patent environment can create barriers to entry, requiring careful freedom-to-operate analyses and possibly licensing strategies.
4. Is KR101588259 relevant for global pharmaceutical strategies?
Potentially. If filed internationally via PCT or regional patents, its scope can extend beyond Korea, influencing global patent positioning.
5. What are the key considerations for patent expiration?
Typically, a patent filed around 2013-2014 will expire approximately 20 years after filing, around 2033-2034, after which generics can enter the market unless patent term extensions apply.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent KR101588259.
- WIPO. Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) filings and strategic considerations.
- Patent landscape reports on pharmaceuticals in South Korea.
- International patent databases (e.g., Patentscope, Espacenet).
