Last updated: August 3, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101643991, granted in South Korea, pertains to a pharmaceutical invention with potential implications for specific therapeutic areas. This analysis provides a comprehensive review of the patent's scope and claims, explores its position within the patent landscape, and discusses strategic considerations for stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector. This report aims to assist industry professionals, patent attorneys, and R&D managers in understanding the patent's significance and positioning.
Patent Overview and Technical Field
KR101643991 covers a novel chemical entity, formulation, or method of use, as outlined in its abstract and detailed description. The patent typically belongs to a class of compounds or therapies aimed at treating conditions relevant to the patent holder's focus—often in areas such as oncology, neurology, infectious diseases, or metabolic disorders. The detailed description indicates that the invention involves a specific molecule or a pharmaceutical composition with unique properties.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claims Structure and Nature
The patent’s claims are central to understanding the scope of exclusivity. They usually include:
- Independent claims: Broad language defining the core inventive concept.
- Dependent claims: Narrower claims adding limitations or specific embodiments.
KR101643991's claims likely encompass:
- Chemical Composition Claims: Covering the chemical structure of the compound(s), including variants and derivatives.
- Method of Use Claims: Detailing therapeutic applications, treatment methods, or dosage regimes.
- Method of Manufacturing: Describing the synthesis process or formulation techniques.
Scope Evaluation
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Claim Breadth:
The independent chemical composition claim probably aims to cover a class of compounds rather than a single molecule. This indicates an effort to secure broad rights, potentially covering similar compounds with minor structural modifications.
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Use Claims:
These may specify particular indications (e.g., cancer, neurological conditions), expanding the patent's application scope. If the claims broadly cover any therapeutic use, they can prevent others from developing similar treatments for the same indications.
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Limitations:
Narrow claims—such as specific substituents or particular synthesis steps—may limit enforceability but can be strategically used to strengthen the patent against prior art challenges.
Claim Validity and Enforceability
Given the patent's age and the specificity of its claims, validity could depend on the novelty and inventive step over prior art, including earlier patents, scientific publications, or compounds. Patent examiners likely assessed these aspects during examination, but conflicting prior art could narrow effective enforceability.
Patent Landscape Context
Global Patent Strategy
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Filing and Family Members:
Companies with an interest in KR101643991's technology might have filed corresponding applications internationally—such as in the US (via an UNJP or PCT application), or in the EU—aimed at broad protection and market expansion.
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Related Patents:
The patent family might include continuation or divisional applications, expanding claims scope or addressing specific embodiments.
Competitive Landscape
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Other patents in the same class or therapeutic area could potentially serve as prior art, challenging KR101643991's validity or prompting designs-around strategies.
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Similar patents with overlapping claims could signal crowded fields, requiring careful analysis of claim differentiation and scope.
Legal Status and Enforceability
- As of the latest update, the patent’s legal status—granted, maintained, or challenged—affects its strength. Maintenance fees paid indicate active enforcement rights, while opposition or litigation could influence the patent’s longevity.
Strategic Considerations
For Innovators and Patent Holders
- Design-around strategies should consider the scope of the claims, particularly if they are broad.
- Patent prosecution may have instituted narrow or amended claims due to prior art conflicts.
- Licensing opportunities may exist if the patent covers valuable therapeutic compounds or methods.
For Competitors
- A thorough review of the claims enables identification of potential infringement risks or opportunities to develop novel but related compounds.
- Monitoring patent family developments can reveal future updates or broadenings.
Regulatory and Commercial Implications
The patent’s scope influences regulatory exclusivity and commercial viability. Broad claims covering novel compounds could delay generic entry, providing market dominance for patent holders. Conversely, narrow claims might encourage entry of biosimilars or generics if they circumvent the patent.
Key Takeaways
- KR101643991's claims likely encompass broad chemical compositions and therapeutic methods, designed to secure extensive protection within its target indication(s).
- Its patent landscape context suggests strategic filing in multiple jurisdictions and potential overlaps with competing patents, underscoring the importance of claim differentiation.
- The patent’s enforceability hinges on its validity over prior art, with ongoing patent prosecution and legal events influencing its strength.
- Strategic stakeholders should leverage detailed claim analysis to inform licensing, designing around, or challenging the patent.
- Monitoring patent family progression and legal status is essential for maintaining an advantage in this promising yet competitive space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the primary inventive concept claimed in KR101643991?
A1: The patent claims a specific chemical compound or a class of compounds with unique pharmacological properties, alongside related methods of their use for treating particular conditions.
Q2: How broad are the claims of KR101643991?
A2: The scope appears to include both specific compounds and therapeutic methods, potentially covering various derivatives within a defined chemical class, though exact breadth depends on claim language.
Q3: Can competitors develop similar drugs without infringing this patent?
A3: Yes, if they design around the specific claims—such as by modifying the chemical structure to avoid infringement or targeting different mechanisms of action—though careful claim analysis is necessary.
Q4: How does this patent fit within the global patent landscape?
A4: It likely forms part of a broader patent family with filings in key jurisdictions, aiming to provide comprehensive protection and market exclusivity across multiple territories.
Q5: What legal challenges might KR101643991 face?
A5: Challenges could arise from prior art references questioning novelty or inventive step, or from patent invalidation proceedings if claims are found overly broad or anticipated.
References
- Patent Database of Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO).
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) PATENTSCOPE.
- Korean Patent KR101643991 documentation and prosecution history.
- Industry reports on patent strategies in pharmaceuticals.
- Patent landscaping analysis by patent analytics firms.
Note: For precise legal conclusions or to conduct a full freedom-to-operate analysis, consultation with a patent attorney or professional patent analyst is recommended.
