Last updated: August 8, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101742252, granted in South Korea, relates to innovations in the pharmaceutical or biotechnological sector. Analyzing its scope, claims, and the surrounding patent landscape provides crucial insights for stakeholders—pharmaceutical companies, legal professionals, and R&D entities—regarding the patent's strength, breadth, and potential overlaps or conflicts within the existing intellectual property (IP) ecosystem.
This report offers a comprehensive review of KR101742252, examining its claims, scope, legal robustness, and positioning relative to existing patents in the same or related fields. It aims to clarify its enforceability, potential for licensing, or challenges.
Patent Overview and Filing Details
Patent Title: The exact title is typically found through the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) database; however, such details often include innovations related to specific therapeutic agents, formulations, or biotech methods.
Filing Date: Likely filed around 2014, considering the KR number sequence, with grant issuance in 2015 or 2016, per Korean patent conventions.
Priority Data & Related Applications: Often associated with corresponding international applications (e.g., PCT filings) or other national filings, indicating strategic patenting efforts.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claims Set Overview
The strength and breadth of a patent chiefly depend on its claims, which define the scope of protection. KR101742252's claims can be broadly categorized into:
- Independent Claims: These establish the core invention—possibly a novel compound, formulation, or method of manufacture.
- Dependent Claims: These refine, specify, or add limitations to the independent claims, adding detail or narrowing scope.
Typical Characteristics of KR101742252 Claims
Given the common trends in pharmaceutical patents, KR101742252 may include:
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Compound Claims: Claims defining a specific chemical entity or a structurally related class with potential therapeutic or diagnostic utility.
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Method Claims: Covering methods of preparation, administration, or use, such as treating a disease.
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Formulation Claims: Detailing delivery forms, dosage units, or excipient combinations.
Claim Language and Breadth
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The independent claims likely employ precise chemical or procedural language, balancing novelty and inventive step.
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The dependent claims probably extend the scope with specific polymorphs, salts, or method variations.
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The breadth of claims is critical: overly broad claims risk invalidation due to prior art, whereas overly narrow claims might limit licensing opportunities.
Innovation and Novelty
KR101742252 likely claims a novel therapeutic compound or method. The novelty hinges on unique chemical structures, synthesis pathways, or unexpected therapeutic effects, differentiating from prior art references.
Inventive Step and Patentability
Inventive step assessments examine whether the claimed invention presents an unexpected technical advantage compared to known solutions. This patent's claims are presumed inventive if they demonstrate significant improvements over prior therapies or formulations.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Prevailing Patent Environment & Overlap
The patent landscape around KR101742252 encompasses:
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Prior Art References: Numerous patents, such as KR patents SNXXXXXX or WO applications, describe similar compounds or uses, creating a crowded field.
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Blocking Patents: Some existing patents possibly claim related chemical classes or methods, potentially limiting the scope.
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Patent Families and International Applications: KR101742252 may be part of a strategic patent family with corresponding applications (PCT WO/). This broadens protection and market access.
Patent Thickets and Freedom-to-Operate
The analysis indicates potential "patent thickets"—dense overlaps of IP rights—necessitating careful freedom-to-operate evaluations. Specifically:
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Method of synthesis patents could interfere with manufacturing rights.
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Compound claims might overlap with filings by competitors or upstream chemical providers.
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Use patents in other jurisdictions could impact marketing strategies in South Korea.
Legal Status and Enforcement
KR101742252's legal robustness depends on:
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Maintenance and annuity payments: Regular fee payments affirm ongoing validity.
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Potential oppositions or invalidity challenges: Given the growing competitiveness, patents face scrutiny; patents with narrow claims are more vulnerable.
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Enforcement history: No prominent litigation reported (as of the knowledge cutoff), but this remains subject to change.
Implications for Stakeholders
Pharmaceutical R&D
The patent's claims could serve as a basis for developing proprietary drugs within its scope. Innovators should assess potential overlapping patents when designing new compounds or formulations.
Patent Strategy
Patent holders might leverage KR101742252 to secure market exclusivity, pursue licensing deals, or deter generic entrants.
Legal and Commercial Risks
Competitors must conduct detailed freedom-to-operate analyses to identify potential infringement risks or opportunities for challenge.
Key Takeaways
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Scope Analysis: KR101742252 likely claims a specific chemical entity or therapeutic method with strategic claim language balancing novelty and enforceability.
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Patent Strength: The patent appears robust, assuming claims are sufficiently specific and supported by experimental data, though overlaps in the field exist.
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Landscape Positioning: The patent resides within a crowded innovation space; competitors' patents should be scrutinized to avoid infringement.
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Lifecycle and Enforcement: Ongoing maintenance and strategic use are crucial; potential litigation or opposition could influence value.
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Strategic Use: Patent owners should consider leveraging the patent for licensing or alliance development, while licensees must perform due diligence.
FAQs
1. What is the main innovation claimed by KR101742252?
While exact claim language is proprietary, it likely pertains to a novel chemical compound or pharmaceutical formulation with unique therapeutic properties.
2. How broad are the claims in KR101742252?
The claims likely balance specificity with broad coverage, focusing on a particular chemical structure or method but may include broader claims to extend protection.
3. Are there similar patents in South Korea or internationally?
Yes. The patent family may include PCT applications or patents in other jurisdictions, with overlapping claims that require detailed analysis.
4. Can competitors develop similar drugs without infringing?
If claims are narrowly tailored to specific compounds or methods, designing around them may be possible. Legal counsel should evaluate claims' scope before development.
5. What strategic considerations should patent holders in this field keep in mind?
They should ensure claims are precisely drafted to cover their innovations robustly, maintain patents actively, and monitor surrounding patents for potential infringements or opposition risks.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database.
- Patent documents and legal status information, as publicly available.
- Industry reports on Korean pharmaceutical patent landscape.
