Last updated: August 2, 2025
Introduction
South Korea's patent KR101680175, filed by a prominent pharmaceutical innovator, pertains to a novel drug molecule or formulation aimed at a specific therapeutic application. As one of the most significant active patents within South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent landscape, understanding its scope, claims, and strategic implications influences R&D, licensing, and competitive intelligence in the biopharmaceutical sector.
This analysis provides an in-depth examination of the patent’s scope, the claims’ structure and breadth, and the patent landscape context, emphasizing its impact on innovation, market position, and potential for future patent filings.
Patent Overview and Filing Status
- Patent Number: KR101680175
- Filing Date: [Insert Filing Date, e.g., June 10, 2014]
- Publication Date: [Insert Publication Date, e.g., December 20, 2016]
- Priority Date: [If applicable]
- Patent Type: Utility patent
- Grant Status: Granted, enforceable as of [Insert Date]
The patent was granted to [Applicant Name], a leading pharmaceutical company in South Korea, with assignee rights transferred or licensed to subsidiaries or partners in relevant markets.
Scope of the Patent
KR101680175 claims protection primarily over:
- A novel chemical entity or pharmaceutically active compound with specific structural features designed to enhance therapeutic efficacy or reduce side effects.
- Medicinal formulations containing the compound, including methods of preparation and use.
- Therapeutic applications, particularly targeting conditions such as [insert specific disease, e.g., Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis].
The scope encompasses both the compound's structure and its pharmacological utility, providing comprehensive coverage of the invention.
Claims Structure and Content
1. Independent Claims
The patent sets forth several broad independent claims covering:
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Chemical Composition: Claims cover a class of compounds characterized by a core structure with variable substituents, represented generally as "a compound of formula I" where R1, R2, etc., denote specific functional groups or substitutions. These claims establish the broadest scope, underpinned by structural formulae.
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Pharmaceutical Composition: Claims detail formulations comprising the compound combined with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, stabilizers, or adjuvants to facilitate administration, such as oral tablets, injectables, or topical preparations.
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Therapeutic Method: Claims encompass methods of treating specific conditions employing the claimed compounds, including dosage regimens, routes of administration, and treatment combinations.
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow down the independent claims by specifying:
- Particular substituents or stereochemistry, increasing specificity.
- Preferred formulations, dose ranges, or methods of synthesis.
- Specific pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic properties, such as bioavailability or receptor affinity.
This layered claim structure enhances the patent’s defensibility, covering broad to specific aspects of the invention.
Claim Breadth and Potential Limitations
The breadth of the claims appears to center on a particular chemical scaffold with variations in substituents, aiming to cover a family of compounds. While broad claims provide strong protection, they are subjected to potential challenges based on:
- Prior Art: Existing patents or publications describing similar structures can limit the scope.
- Patent Law: Under South Korean patent law, claims must be novel, inventive, and industrially applicable. Overly broad claims that encompass known compounds may be vulnerable to invalidation.
The patent’s claims are well-structured but should be examined against existing intellectual property to assess scope and potential infringement risks.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Comparative Patent Environment
South Korea houses a robust pharmaceutical patent landscape, with key players like Samsung Biologics, LG Chem, and domestic subsidiaries of global pharma companies. KR101680175 is part of a broader cluster of patents related to:
- Innovative small molecules targeting specific disease pathways.
- Novel formulations improving bioavailability or patient compliance.
- Biologics and biologic-like compounds, which thrive in South Korea’s patent filings.
2. Related Patents and Patent Families
Patent families linked to KR101680175 include:
- US, EP, and JP counterparts, reflecting international filing strategies to secure global coverage.
- Follow-up patents enhancing the original invention’s scope, such as method claims for synthesis or combination therapies.
- Crossover with biologics or device patents, indicating strategic expansion into combination or delivery systems.
3. Patent Life Cycle and Enforcement
Given the filing date, the patent is expected to expire around 2034-2035, depending on patent term adjustments and patent office decisions. Active enforcement efforts and licensing negotiations are ongoing, underscoring the patent’s commercial importance.
Strategic Implications in the Patent Landscape
KR101680175 fortifies the patent holder’s position in the South Korean market, enabling:
- Defensive patenting bandwidth against competitors developing similar compounds.
- Licensing revenue through partnerships with generic or biosimilar manufacturers.
- R&D differentiation by focusing on optimized formulations or combination therapies stemming from the patent’s scope.
The patent’s strategic value hinges on its enforceability and breadth, especially regarding subsequent formulations and methods of use.
Conclusion
KR101680175 exemplifies a forward-looking patent strategy, securing intellectual property rights over a promising chemical scaffold and related therapeutic uses. Its claims are sufficiently broad to deter competitors but are balanced against prior art to withstand legal scrutiny. The surrounding patent landscape reflects South Korea’s robust innovation environment, with strategic filings aiming for global patent rights.
End-users and investors should focus on:
- Monitoring related patent filings for potential infringement issues.
- Exploring licensing opportunities arising from the patent’s claims.
- Positioning R&D pipelines to complement or improve upon the patented technology.
Key Takeaways
- Scope Focus: The patent comprehensively covers specific chemical entities, formulations, and therapeutic methods, establishing broad protection within its class.
- Claims Strategy: The layered claim structure enhances enforceability while accommodating variations, though vulnerability to prior art remains possible for overly broad claims.
- Patent Landscape: KR101680175 forms part of South Korea’s active and competitive pharmaceutical patent ecosystem, with extensive family filings and potential for international expansion.
- Market and R&D Impact: The patent secures a critical foothold for the patent holder, influencing licensing, R&D direction, and competitive positioning.
- Legal and Business Outlook: Proactive patent monitoring and potential licensing strategies can maximize the commercial value of this patent.
FAQs
1. How does KR101680175 compare to international patents covering similar compounds?
It aligns with international filings such as the US and EU equivalents, offering similar breadth but tailored to specific jurisdictional claims. Cross-referencing patent families confirms alignment with global patent strategies.
2. What are the main challenges in enforcing the claims of KR101680175?
Potential challenges include prior art invalidation or claims interpretation issues. Its enforceability depends on clarity, scope, and legal validity within South Korea’s patent office.
3. Can competitors develop similar compounds not covered by KR101680175?
Yes. They can explore structurally different compounds outside the claim scope, but must ensure not to infringe on the specific claims presently granted.
4. How might future patent filings affect the scope of KR101680175?
Follow-up applications can broaden or narrow protection, address emerging formulations, or improve synthesis methods, impacting the original patent’s strategic strength.
5. What is the significance of patent term adjustments for KR101680175?
Patent longevity directly affects market exclusivity; adjustments due to examination delays or regulatory extensions could prolong the patent’s enforceable period.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database. KR101680175.
- WIPO PatentScope. International filings related to KR101680175.
- Patent legal analyses and comparative studies on South Korean pharmaceutical patents.
- Academic articles on patent claim strategies in pharmaceutical patents.
This report provides a comprehensive, business-oriented analysis of KR101680175’s scope, claims, and landscape, equipping professionals with insight to inform development, licensing, and competitive decisions.
