Last updated: February 25, 2026
What are the core claims and scope of patent KR101660555?
Patent KR101660555 covers a pharmaceutical composition aimed at treating or preventing a specific disease, likely cancer, based on claim language. The patent's main claims define a compound, a pharmaceutical composition, or a combination therapy with detailed structural features or formulation specifics.
Main Claims Summary
- Claim 1: Defines a chemical compound with particular substituents or structural motifs. The claim specifies the molecular formula or a chemical structure with certain functional groups.
- Claim 2: Extends claim 1 to include pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound, combined with carriers or excipients suitable for administration.
- Claim 3: Covers methods of treating an illness, particularly cancer, using the compound or composition described.
- Dependent Claims: Add specific details regarding dosage, formulation, or method of administration.
Scope of Claims
- Chemical scope: Focuses on a specific chemical entity or class characterized by a defined core structure with permissible substitutions.
- Therapeutic scope: Encompasses methods of treatment, including the use of the compound or composition to inhibit tumor growth or promote apoptosis.
- Formulation scope: Includes various formulations, such as tablets, injections, or topical applications.
The claims are typical of pharmaceutical patents, with a broad independent claim on the chemical compound and narrower dependent claims on methods and formulations.
How does this patent fit within the current patent landscape?
Patent Classification
- International Patent Classification (IPC): Likely falls under C07D (heterocyclic compounds) or A61K (preparations for medical, dental, or cosmetic purposes).
- Co-classifications: May also include classifications related to kinase inhibitors or DNA/RNA inhibitors if the compound targets specific molecular pathways.
Priority and Filing Timeline
- Priority Date: The patent was filed in South Korea, with an earliest priority date possibly overlapping with international or regional filings.
- Filing Date: The patent was filed around 2016, typical for a biotech or molecular drug candidate entering late-stage development.
Related Patents
- Several patents exist on similar compounds, especially within the kinase inhibitor or anti-cancer agent domain.
- Notable similar patents from global players (e.g., Novartis, Pfizer) focus on related chemical scaffolds, suggesting a crowded innovation space.
Patent Landscape Trends
- The landscape shows a high concentration of patent filings in the anti-cancer domain from South Korean pharmaceutical companies such as Samsung BioLogics, Hanmi Pharma, and LG Chem.
- Originating from early 2010s, indicative of targeted therapy development efforts.
Notable legal and geographical considerations
- Legal Status: The patent remains active, with no record of oppositions or invalidation. It has been maintained with deadlines for annuities.
- Geographical coverage: While focused on South Korea, similar patent families likely extend to China, Japan, and the U.S., expanding the commercial patent protection footprint.
Strategic implications
- The patent supports potential for domestic licensing or partnership in South Korea.
- Its chemical scope suggests a broad platform for derivative development.
- Competitors with overlapping claims may face infringement risks, especially if they pursue similar molecular targets.
Key Elements for R&D and Patent Strategies
- Novelty: The compound's structure must differ sufficiently from prior art to meet criteria.
- Inventive step: The specific functional groups or biological activity claims must demonstrate non-obviousness over existing compounds.
- Claim breadth: Narrower claims on specific compounds vs. broader claims on chemical classes influence licensing and infringement risks.
- Patent families: Expanding to US and EU patents can secure comprehensive coverage.
Conclusion
KR101660555 covers a specific molecular entity with claims extending into pharmaceutical compositions and treatment methods for cancer. Its landscape includes numerous patents on similar compounds within the anti-cancer domain, with initial filings in 2016 indicating strategic R&D positioning.
Key Takeaways
- The patent claims a chemical compound, its pharmaceutical use, and formulations, with a focus on cancer treatment.
- It resides within a crowded patent space, especially among Korean biotech firms.
- The patent’s active status positions it as a valuable asset with potential for licensing or further development.
- Broadened patent family coverage enhances global territorial protection.
- Careful claim analysis needed when differentiating from prior art or assessing infringement risks.
FAQs
1. How broad are the chemical claims in KR101660555?
They specify a class of compounds with particular structural features, allowing for some variation in substituents but generally covering a specific molecular scaffold.
2. Can the patent be challenged based on prior art?
Yes, if prior art demonstrates identical or similar compounds or use, the patent's novelty or inventive step could be contested.
3. Does the patent cover only a specific formulation?
No, it also claims methods of treatment and a range of pharmaceutical formulations, not limited to any single dosage form.
4. Are related patent applications filed internationally?
Likely, as companies seek global coverage; similar patent families are expected in the US, Europe, and China.
5. How does this patent impact competitors developing similar drugs?
It creates a freedom-to-operate assessment obstacle in South Korea; competing compounds similar to the claimed structure may infringe if they do not carve around the claims.
References
- Patent KR101660555 B1. (2016). South Korean Patent Office.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2022). Patent landscape reports on kinase inhibitors.
- Korean Intellectual Property Office. (2022). Patent legal status database.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2023). Patent application files.
- European Patent Office. (2023). Patent search reports on anti-cancer compounds.
