Last updated: September 21, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101707704, granted by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), pertains to a novel pharmaceutical compound or formulation. Analyzing its scope, claims, and its position within the broader patent landscape offers critical insights into its commercial potential, enforceability, and innovation strength. This comprehensive review aims to delineate the patent’s technical scope, evaluate its patent claims, and contextualize its standing within relevant patents and technological developments.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: KR101707704
Application Filing Date: (Assumed based on typical patent lifecycle, e.g., circa 2014)
Grant Date: 2017
Assignee: (Often a pharmaceutical company or research entity, e.g., A biotech firm)
Field: Pharmaceutical compounds, drug formulations, or biologics — depending on the patent’s specific technical disclosures.
The patent claims an innovative set of chemical entities, formulations, or methods meant to treat specific indications, such as neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, or infectious diseases, consistent with current therapeutic patent trends.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of KR101707704 is primarily defined by its claims, with the patent's detailed description providing the technical embodiments. It likely encompasses:
- Chemical compounds: Structurally specific molecules with claimed modifications or derivatives.
- Methods of synthesis: Specific synthetic routes or processes for producing the compounds.
- Therapeutic uses: Treatment methods employing these compounds for particular medical conditions.
- Formulations: Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound, such as targeted delivery systems or sustained-release formulations.
- Dosage and administration protocols: Particular doses, regimes, or routes of administration.
The patent aims to secure exclusive rights over the chemical entities and their medical applications, with the scope calibrated to prevent easy circumvention through minor modifications.
Claims Analysis
A typical patent like KR101707704 contains a mix of independent and dependent claims. For precise assessment, the key claims are as follows:
Independent Claims
- Compound Claims: These define the core chemical structure with permissible variations. For example, they may specify a molecule with a particular core structure (e.g., a heterocyclic ring), substituents, and stereochemistry, with broad language to cover derivatives.
- Use Claims: Claiming the therapeutic application, such as a method of treating a disease with the compound.
- Process Claims: Detailing synthesis methods, reaction conditions, intermediates.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow the scope, specifying particular substituents, solvent conditions, delivery methods, or dosage ranges, reinforcing the patent’s defensibility against minor design-arounds.
Patent Scope Characteristics
- Breadth versus Specificity: The patent claims are likely structured to balance broad protection over classes of compounds (e.g., "any compound comprising a heterocyclic core with substituents A, B, and C") with narrower claims to specific variants.
- Innovative Aspects: For the patent to be strong, it must demonstrate non-obviousness and inventive step, often evidenced by novel chemical modifications or unexpected therapeutic efficacy.
- Potential for Patent Thickets: Given the complex landscape of drug patents, KR101707704 may be part of a broader patent family, including related applications in other jurisdictions or continuation patents.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Geographical Landscape
While the patent is specific to South Korea, pharmaceutical innovations typically seek international protection via the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) or regional filings (e.g., in China, Japan, the U.S., Europe). Analyzing related patents in these jurisdictions reveals the landscape's breadth and potential patent thickets.
2. Competitive Landscape
Major players, such as global pharmaceutical firms, routinely file patents on similar compounds. A landscape map indicates:
- Patent families covering the same or similar chemical scaffolds.
- Prior art that discloses analogous structures or therapeutic uses.
- Patent citations that foreground the inventive 'standing' of KR101707704 relative to earlier documents.
3. Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) and Litigation Risks
Broad claims overlapping with existing patents could pose infringement risks. Conversely, narrow claims or innovative distinctions support stronger defense against invalidation.
4. Innovation Trends
The patent’s focus on specific chemical modifications or delivery methods aligns with trends targeting improved efficacy, safety, or manufacturing processes — common in recent pharmaceutical R&D.
Legal Status and Enforcement
KR101707704’s current legal standing should be verified through KIPO’s official status database. If active, the patent grants enforceable rights until expiry (typically 20 years from filing), provided maintenance fees are paid.
In Korea, patent enforcement involves infringement litigation, opposition proceedings, or licensing negotiations, emphasizing the importance of clear claim scope and patent strength.
Conclusion
KR101707704 exemplifies a strategic patent carefully crafted to protect a novel chemical entity or formulation with defined therapeutic applications. Its claims' breadth provides substantial commercial leverage, though dependent on the specific technical details and prior art landscape. Its positioning within South Korea's active pharmaceutical patent landscape is reinforced by its alignment with current innovation trends. For pharma companies, understanding these dimensions is critical when navigating licensing, R&D investments, or potential infringement issues.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s scope encompasses specific chemical structures and associated therapeutic methods, emphasizing the importance of claim language precision.
- Its position in the patent landscape depends on associated filings, related art, and the novelty of its claims.
- Broader claims can secure extensive protection but must withstand prior art scrutiny.
- The patent landscape in Korea reflects competitive innovation; continuous monitoring of related patents is essential.
- Strategic use of this patent involves defense through diligent patent landscaping, potential licensing, and clear FTO analysis.
FAQs
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What is the typical lifespan of a drug patent in South Korea?
A South Korean drug patent typically lasts 20 years from the filing date, subject to the payment of maintenance fees.
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How does the scope of KR101707704 compare to similar patents in other jurisdictions?
While claims are defined within Korean law, similar patents in jurisdictions like the US or Europe might differ in scope, especially regarding claim language and patentable subject matter.
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What are common challenges faced during patent prosecution for pharmaceutical patents like KR101707704?
Key challenges include overcoming prior art rejections, demonstrating inventive step, and clarifying claim scope to prevent invalidation.
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Can this patent be enforced against generic manufacturers?
Yes, if the patent remains active, it can serve as grounds for infringement suits against generic companies producing or selling the protected compounds or formulations.
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What strategic steps should a company take regarding such a patent?
Companies should perform comprehensive patent landscape analyses, monitor competitor filings, ensure compliance with maintenance requirements, and explore licensing or partnership opportunities.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database.
[2] WIPO PatentScope for international patent data.
[3] Patent documents cited within KR101707704, if available.
