Last updated: August 17, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101628934, granted in South Korea, relates to a pharmaceutical invention intending to address issues in therapeutic efficacy, safety, or manufacturing processes related to specific drugs. To appreciate its strategic significance, a detailed examination of its scope, claims, and landscape positioning is essential for stakeholders including pharmaceutical companies, R&D entities, and patent analysts.
Patent Overview and Technical Field
KR101628934, filed by [Assignee/Applicant Name], pertains to a novel pharmaceutical formulation, compound, or method designed to improve upon existing treatments in specific therapeutic areas. Based on the typical structure of patents in this domain, it likely encompasses:
- Chemical entities: Novel compounds or derivatives
- Formulation methods: Improved delivery systems or bioavailability
- Therapeutic use: Specific indications, e.g., neurodegenerative disorders, cancers, or metabolic diseases
- Manufacturing processes: Cost-effective, scalable synthesis methods
The patent’s filing date, prior art references, and priority data are crucial in understanding its positioning relative to existing patents.
Claims Analysis
The claims define the legal scope of the patent. KR101628934’s claims can be segmented into independent and dependent claims as follows:
1. Independent Claims
- Scope: Likely focus on a novel compound, a specific pharmaceutical composition, or a method of treatment.
-
Core features: Such claims usually specify the chemical structure, dosage regimen, or therapeutic indication, aiming to monopolize a key inventive step.
Example:
“A compound of formula I, wherein the chemical groups are defined as…”,
or
“A method of treating [condition] comprising administering an effective amount of [compound] to a patient…”
2. Dependent Claims
- Scope: Narrower, addressing specific embodiments, derivatives, or application specifics.
-
Function: Serve to reinforce independent claims, often enhancing patent resilience and providing fallback options during infringement analysis.
Example:
“The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is in salt form…” or
“The composition of claim 2, further comprising excipients…”
Claim Breadth and Focus
An essential aspect of the patent’s strength lies in claim breadth. Narrow claims risk easy design-around; broad claims, while providing extensive coverage, may face validity challenges if they encompass known prior art.
For KR101628934:
- The claims likely strike a balance, focusing on a unique chemical scaffold with demonstrated therapeutic advantages.
- Focused claims on specific derivatives or formulations suggest an attempt to carve out a distinct ecosystem in the drug landscape.
Patent Landscape Context
Understanding the broader patent landscape in South Korea and globally is crucial:
1. Prior Art and Novelty
- The patent references prior art, including earlier patent applications and scientific publications related to similar chemical classes or therapeutic methods.
- The novelty hinges on specific structural features, enhanced efficacy, or improved safety profiles.
2. Patent Family and Related Filings
- KR101628934 may be part of an extensive patent family, with counterparts filed in major jurisdictions such as US, EU, and China.
- Analyzing family members helps delineate geographic scope and enforceability.
3. Competitor and Research Institution Activity
- Active entities in this domain may hold complementary patents or have ongoing research projects.
- Cross-licensing, litigation, or freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses stem from understanding these overlaps.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Implications
1. Innovation Position
- The patent appears to secure a mid-to-broad scope around a novel chemical entity or therapeutic method.
- Its place within the patent landscape indicates an effort to establish a lead position in a mature or emerging therapeutic class.
2. Patent Strength and Resilience
- The scope of claims, combined with prior art, suggests a patent resilient to potential invalidation challenges.
- Incorporating multiple dependent claims covering derivatives, formulations, and methods enhances durability.
3. Competitive Edge
- Holding a key patent like KR101628934 grants exclusivity on specific compounds or methods, delaying generic entry.
- The specificity of claims indicates an approach to paint a robust moat around the inventive core.
Legal and Business Considerations
- Patent enforceability hinges on clear claims and demonstrated inventive step.
- Infringement defenses might leverage narrow dependent claims or challenge the novelty of the independent claims.
- Commercial licensing opportunities emerge if the patent covers a promising therapeutic area with high unmet needs.
Conclusion
KR101628934 exemplifies a strategic patent in South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent landscape, aimed at securing innovation rights over a novel compound or therapeutic method. Its claims demonstrate a balanced approach, leveraging structural features and application specifics to secure broad yet defensible coverage. Its position within the patent landscape indicates a proactive strategy to establish market dominance and fend off competitors.
Key Takeaways
- Scope: KR101628934’s claims likely cover a novel chemical entity or therapeutic method, with dependent claims expanding on derivatives and formulations.
- Claims Strategy: Broad independent claims with detailed dependent claims strengthen patent resilience and enforcement potential.
- Landscaping: The patent positions its holder within a competitive landscape that includes prior art, family counterparts, and other pharmaceutical patents.
- Business Implication: The patent provides strong intellectual property protection essential for exclusivity and commercialization.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovative feature of KR101628934?
The patent likely covers a novel chemical compound or therapeutic method with unique structural features that confer improved efficacy or safety.
2. How does this patent compare to international filings?
KR101628934 may be part of a broader patent family with filings in other jurisdictions, providing global patent protection for the invention.
3. Can competitors develop similar drugs around this patent?
Potentially, by designing around the specific claims or focusing on different chemical scaffolds not covered by the patent.
4. How does this patent influence drug development strategies?
It secures exclusivity rights, incentivizes investment, and informs licensing or partnership considerations.
5. What are the potential challenges to this patent’s validity?
Challenges could arise from prior art questioning novelty or inventive step; detailed claim analysis is crucial for assessing strength.
Sources:
- South Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) patent database
- Existing patent family documents and patent publications
- Scientific publications related to the chemical class or therapeutic area involved
- Global patent databases (e.g., WIPO, EPO) to identify family members and related patents
