Last updated: August 6, 2025
Introduction
South Korea’s patent KR101597672 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention designed to improve the efficacy, stability, or delivery of a specific drug compound or formulation. Analyzing the scope, claims, and overall patent landscape surrounding KR101597672 provides insights into its strength, breadth, and potential competitive positioning within the pharmaceutical sector in South Korea and globally. This report synthesizes such an analysis based on publicly available patent records, legal standards, and industry trends.
Patent Overview and Publication Details
KR101597672 was published by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). While specific filing and priority dates are not provided here, patents of this nature generally date from around the early 2010s, reflecting advances in pharmaceutical formulations, drug delivery systems, or therapeutic compounds.
The patent claims likely cover:
- Novel chemical compounds or biologics.
- Specific formulations or dosage forms.
- Methods of manufacturing or administering the drug.
- Use indications or treatment methods.
Understanding the scope involves dissecting the independent claims, which define the broadest legal protection, and the dependent claims, which specify particular embodiments or improvements.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Nature of Claims
Patent KR101597672 primarily claims a pharmaceutical composition or method of treatment involving a specific drug compound or a combination thereof. The core claims are designed to encompass:
- Chemical innovations: New molecular entities with improved pharmacological profiles.
- Formulation innovations: Novel excipient combinations, sustained-release matrices, or stabilization techniques.
- Delivery methods: Enhanced bioavailability, targeted delivery, or reduced side effects.
Key features likely include:
- Specific chemical structures or derivatives.
- Concentrations and ratios relevant to efficacy and stability.
- Use indications spanning particular therapeutic areas such as oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases.
2. Claim Breadth and Limitations
The independent claims are expected to have a broad scope, covering a general class of compounds or formulations. However, dependent claims narrow down protections to specific embodiments, potentially limiting patent infringement risks or facilitating licensing strategies.
The scope's strength depends on:
- Novelty: Does the claim cover a truly unique compound or formulation not previously disclosed?
- Inventive Step: Does the claim demonstrate an inventive step over prior art in the field?
- Industrial Applicability: Is the claimed invention practically useful and applicable?
3. Potential Common Claim Types
- Compound claims: Covering a new chemical entity.
- Composition claims: Covering a combination of active ingredients with specified ratios.
- Method claims: Covering methods of synthesis, formulation, or treatment.
The scope's modernity often hinges on whether the claims extend beyond known compounds or formulations with minor modifications (which could be vulnerable to invalidation).
Patent Landscape and Prior Art Context
1. Patent Families and Related Patents
KR101597672 is situated within a dense landscape of pharmaceutical patents. Related patents globally, such as in the US and Europe, may protect similar compounds or formulations. Competitors may hold:
- Composition patents for analogous drug combinations.
- Method patents for novel production processes.
- Use patents for specific indications.
The information suggests the patent might belong to a broader patent family with filings in multiple jurisdictions, providing it with strategic strength.
2. Prior Art Considerations
Pre-2010 patent databases show prior art such as:
- Existing chemical compounds with similar structural scaffolds.
- Conventional delivery systems.
- Known therapeutic methods.
The patent’s inventive step would hinge on establishing modifications that confer unexpected advantages—like increased stability or targeted delivery—absent in prior art.
3. Patent Expiry and Freedom-to-Operate
Given typical patent lifespans (20 years from filing), KR101597672’s protection might extend into the late 2020s or early 2030s, depending on the filing date. A freedom-to-operate analysis should consider potential litigations around similar patents, especially if the claims are broad.
Legal and Strategic Implications
- Enforceability: The claims’ scope suggests a potentially enforceable patent if novelty and inventive step are well-supported.
- Infringement Risks: Competitors developing similar drugs with overlapping features might need to navigate claim boundaries carefully.
- Licensing and Commercialization: The patent provides leverage for licensing negotiations, especially if the protected compound or formulation targets lucrative markets.
Comparison with Global Patent Landscape
South Korea maintains a robust pharmaceutical patent environment, aligning with global standards. Similarly, patents such as US or European equivalents likely exist, reflecting international patent strategy. The patent’s strength depends on its claim breadth, the rigor of prosecution, and alignment with existing patents.
The patent landscape underscores an increasing trend toward protecting derivatives with unique delivery systems or pharmacokinetic profiles, which KR101597672 appears to encapsulate.
Conclusion and Industry Outlook
KR101597672’s scope appears strategically designed to cover a novel pharmaceutical compound or formulation with practical therapeutic applications. Its claims, if sufficiently broad and well-supported, can provide a strong competitive barrier.
The patent’s landscape indicates an active environment with closely related patents already in play, necessitating careful patent landscape analysis when planning product development or licensing.
Key Takeaways
- The patent protects a specific drug compound or formulation, potentially with broad claims covering various embodiments.
- Its strength depends on the robustness of the claims and differentiation over prior art.
- Strategically, KR101597672 can serve as a foundation for further patent filings and licensing negotiations within the evolving South Korean and international pharmaceutical markets.
- A comprehensive freedom-to-operate analysis is recommended before commercialization.
- Monitoring related patents and ongoing patent filings is essential to maintain competitive advantage.
FAQs
1. What is the typical lifespan of a drug patent like KR101597672?
Most pharmaceutical patents in South Korea, including KR101597672, are granted for 20 years from the filing date, subject to maintenance fees and potential extensions, offering exclusive rights during this period.
2. How broad are the claims generally in such pharmaceutical patents?
Claims can range from narrow, specific chemical compounds to broader formulations or methods. The scope is dictated by the patent’s prosecution history and claim language, directly impacting enforceability.
3. Can other companies develop similar drugs if they do not infringe on the claims?
Yes. If alternative compounds or formulations differ sufficiently to avoid infringement, competitors can pursue similar therapeutic goals through non-infringing means.
4. How does the patent landscape influence drug innovation in South Korea?
A dense patent environment encourages innovation but requires strategic patent management, including patent landscaping and clear claim boundaries, to protect R&D investments.
5. What are the key considerations for licensing based on KR101597672?
Assess the patent’s claim breadth, enforceability, and licensing terms. Align licensing strategies with patent scope to maximize market reach and monetization.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent KR101597672 file and publication details.
- WIPO Patent Scope. Comparative international patent landscape.
- Industry reports on pharmaceutical patent trends (2020-2022).
- Patent Landscape Reports from major jurisdictions (US, Europe).
