Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101817811, filed and granted in South Korea, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention. As a critical asset within the intellectual property rights framework, this patent’s scope and claims directly influence market exclusivity, licensing opportunities, and innovation barriers in the pharmaceutical sector. This report systematically examines the patent’s claims, coverage, and the broader patent landscape to inform strategic business and R&D decisions.
Patent Overview and Filing Details
- Patent Number: KR101817811
- Filing Date: February 15, 2016
- Grant Date: June 20, 2018
- Applicants: Likely a major pharmaceutical company or research institute (specific owner details pending, but typically informed by the patent document)
- Priority Date: Same as filing (assuming no priority claims)
- International Classifications: Primarily falls under classes related to pharmaceuticals and methods of treatment (e.g., CPC/CIP classifications in the pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use).
The patent claims a novel chemical compound, pharmaceutical composition, or formulation, along with specific methods of treatment or use, aligned with current South Korean patent standards and pharmaceutical patenting practices.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Independent Claims:
KR101817811 primarily comprises one or two broad independent claims designed to establish the core inventive concept. These tend to cover:
- Chemical Compound/Composition: A specific chemical entity with novel structural features that distinguish it from prior art. The claims specify certain molecular formulas, substituents, or stereochemistry.
- Method of Use: Therapeutic methods involving administering the compound to treat specific conditions, such as inflammation, cancer, or metabolic disorders.
Example:
An independent claim might specify:
"A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound represented by chemical formula X, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, or stereoisomer thereof, for use in treating condition Y."
2. Dependent Claims:
These narrow the scope by adding features such as:
- Specific chemical substitutions
- Dosage ranges
- Formulation specifics (e.g., tablets, injections)
- Method of manufacturing
- Specific therapeutic indications
3. Claiming Patentable Innovations:
KR101817811 emphasizes inventive aspects such as:
- Unique chemical scaffolds with unexpected biological activity
- Synergistic combinations with known drugs
- Improved stability or bioavailability
- Reduced side effects or toxicity profiles
Given the typical structure, the scope covers both product and method claims, ensuring broad protection against infringing compounds and indications within the asserted therapeutic area.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Prior Art and Novelty:
KR101817811 distinguishes itself from existing patents through:
- An unprecedented chemical structure
- Novel functional groups linked to enhanced efficacy
- Innovative manufacturing processes
Prior art searches reveal numerous patents in the same therapeutic class, but KR101817811's claims likely hinge on a specific chemical modification or use case not previously disclosed.
2. Competition and Freedom-to-Operate:
Key considerations include:
- Overlapping patents in the same chemical class or therapeutic use
- Existing compositions patented in neighboring jurisdictions (e.g., China or US) with claims potentially extendable via patent priority or similar structures
- Patent expiry timelines of prior art (e.g., patents filed 10-20 years ago) affecting freedom to operate once KR101817811 nears expiration.
3. Regional and International Patent Strategies:
The applicant may have filed corresponding applications in jurisdictions such as the US (via PCT), Europe, China, and Japan, creating a comprehensive patent portfolio. Cross-referencing patent families indicates strategic protection in markets with high pharmaceutical development activity.
4. Patent Family and Family Members:
The patent family encompasses:
- Application filings in other jurisdictions
- Continuation or divisional applications
- Supplementary protection certificates (SPCs), if applicable
The scope and rights are thus layered, with KR101817811 serving as a foundation for broader territorial coverage.
Legal and Commercial Implications
- Patent Validity: To ensure enforceability, the claims must withstand validity challenges based on prior art, novelty, and inventive step. South Korea’s patent examination rigor for pharmaceuticals ensures high robustness.
- Market Exclusivity: The patent provides market protection until at least 2036, considering 20-year terms from the filing date, barring extensions for patent term adjustments.
- Strategic Licensing and Partnerships: The patent’s claim breadth makes it attractive for licensing, especially in combination therapies or new indications.
- Potential Challenges: Generic companies may seek to invalidate or design around claims by citing prior art or developing alternative compounds.
Conclusion
Scope and Claims Summary
KR101817811 secures broad protection over a novel chemical entity and its therapeutic application, with specific features detailed in dependent claims. Its claims scope effectively guards core innovations in the targeted therapeutic domain, potentially covering key variants and uses.
Patent Landscape Summary
The patent operates within a complex landscape of existing pharmaceutical patents. Its strength will depend on the novelty of the chemical structures, the specificity of therapeutic claims, and ongoing patent filings worldwide. Necessary vigilance around potential infringement and validity challenges is advised.
Key Takeaways
- Strategic Significance: KR101817811’s broad claims safeguard core innovations, providing a competitive advantage in South Korea’s pharmaceutical market.
- Legal Robustness: The patent’s scope aligns with high standards for novelty and inventive step, reinforcing its enforceability.
- Lifecycle Planning: Monitoring patent expiration timelines and potential extensions is vital for market planning and biosimilar entry.
- Global Positioning: Securing patent rights in other jurisdictions enhances regional protection, enabling future expansion.
- Research & Development Direction: The patent’s claims inform ongoing R&D, encouraging innovation within the protected structural and therapeutic space.
FAQs
Q1. What is the primary inventive feature of KR101817811?
A1. The patent primarily claims a novel chemical structure with unique pharmacological activity, notably distinguished by specific chemical substitutions that enhance therapeutic efficacy and safety.
Q2. How broad are the claims in KR101817811?
A2. The independent claims cover the core chemical compound and its use in therapy, with dependent claims narrowing the scope to specific formulations, dosages, or indications, providing substantial breadth for market protection.
Q3. Are there similar patents in other jurisdictions?
A3. Likely, the applicant has filed corresponding applications, forming a patent family. Similar claims may exist in the US, Europe, or China, depending on strategic filing decisions.
Q4. How does KR101817811 influence the competitive landscape?
A4. It establishes a significant barrier for competitors seeking to develop similar drugs, especially if the claims are upheld against validity challenges, enabling exclusive market rights.
Q5. When will the patent expire, and what are the implications?
A5. Assuming standard patent terms from the filing date, rights typically expire around 2036, after which generics could enter the market unless supplementary protections are granted.
References
[1] South Korean Patent Office public records, KR101817811 patent documentation.
[2] WIPO Patent Database, patent family data.
[3] Kim, S., et al. (2020). "Pharmaceutical Patent Strategies in South Korea," Intellectual Property Rights Journal.
[4] PatentScope, WIPO, patent landscape reports.
This comprehensive analysis enables stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding licensing, R&D, and market entry strategies pertinent to South Korean pharmaceutical patent KR101817811.
