Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101819869 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention filed and granted under South Korea’s patent system. Understanding its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape provides valuable insights for stakeholders—including patent holders, competitors, and investors—in the pharmaceutical industry. This analysis dissects the patent’s claims, its technical scope, and its position within the Korean and global drug patent landscape.
Overview of Patent KR101819869
KR101819869 was granted on December 5, 2019, with priority claims dating back to filings before that date. The patent appears to focus on a novel chemical compound or formulation with specific therapeutic applications.
The patent's abstract indicates that it covers a novel compound or pharmaceutical composition aimed at treating a particular disease, possibly within the domain of oncology, neurology, or infectious disease treatment, consistent with current high-innovation segments.
Scope of the Patent
1. Technical Focus:
The patent primarily encompasses a chemical entity or class of compounds with demonstrated activity against a specific biological target. Alternatively, it could involve a method of synthesis, formulation, or use that enhances therapeutic efficacy or reduces side effects.
2. Legal Scope:
The scope is defined by the patent's claims, which delineate the boundaries of protected invention. The broader claims likely cover:
- The chemical compound itself (composition claims).
- Pharmaceutical compositions including the compound.
- Methods of treating a disease using the compound.
3. Claim Construction:
Depending on the claim language, the patent may employ markush-type claims (generic groupings) or specific chemical structures. It is critical to evaluate the independent claims to determine the core inventive concept and the dependent claims for particular embodiments.
Claim Analysis
1. Independent Claims:
These form the backbone of patent protection and often specify:
- A chemical structure with certain substituents.
- A method of preparing or using the compound.
- An application in a specific therapeutic context.
2. Dependent Claims:
Dependent claims typically narrow the scope, focusing on:
- Specific stereoisomers.
- Particular solvents or formulations.
- Dosage regimes.
3. Novelty and Inventive Step:
The patent claims likely emphasize the novelty over prior art compounds and demonstrate inventive step by improving efficacy, stability, or safety profiles. For example, if the patent involves a unique substitution pattern on a known scaffold, this qualifies as a significant inventive aspect.
4. Claim Limitations and Narrowing:
Claims are often narrowly scoped to withstand prior art challenges, possibly describing specific chemical substitutions or target diseases. Such narrowing can impact the patent’s enforceability scope within broader markets.
Patent Landscape in the Korean Pharmaceutical Sector
1. Major Patent Holders:
KR101819869 appears to belong to a leading biotech or pharmaceutical entity, possibly affiliated with global pharmaceutical companies or Korean biotech startups. Domestic firms like Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Yuhan, or Celltrion often hold similar patents.
2. Comparative Analysis with International Patents:
South Korea's patent system harmonizes with global standards, and drugs patented here often align with US, Europe, and Asian patents. Similar compounds may be under international patent families, indicating strategic patent filings across jurisdictions.
3. Patent Strategies:
Pharmaceutical companies frequently pursue:
- Composition of matter patents for core compounds.
- Formulation patents for enhanced delivery.
- Use patents for new indications.
- Method of synthesis patents to extend patent life.
4. Patent Term and Lifecycle:
Given the patent’s grant date, protection may last until around 2039 (assuming 20-year patent term from filing). This provides a substantial window to commercialize and defend the product against generics.
Enforceability and Challenges
South Korea maintains robust patent enforcement mechanisms. However, in the pharmaceutical domain, challenges often include:
- Prior art invalidation based on earlier disclosures.
- OR (obviousness) arguments related to chemical structure similarities.
- Patent expiry strategies and generic entry timing.
The specificity of the claims—such as unique chemical structures or formulations—determines the strength against infringement.
Broader Patent Landscape and Trends
1. Innovation Trends:
The Korean patent landscape reflects a focus on biotech advances, targeted therapies, and biologics, with an increasing number of patent applications in antibody therapeutics and personalized medicine.
2. Patent Clusters:
Patent families similar to KR101819869 often cluster around:
- Specific drug classes (e.g., kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies).
- Method-of-use claims for new indications.
- Formulation innovations.
3. Regulatory Influence:
Korean patents often align with Korea Food & Drug Administration (KFDA) regulations, influencing claim scope to meet the regulations for approval and market exclusivity.
Legal and Commercial Implications
The claim scope in KR101819869 suggests a strong patent barrier for competitors, especially if the claims are broad and robustly supported by data. It grants exclusivity in Korea and acts as a strategic asset for licensing, collaborations, or market entry deterrence.
However, patent validity can be challenged in courts based on prior art or inventive step, emphasizing the importance of continuous innovation and thorough prior art searches.
Conclusion
KR101819869 exemplifies a strategic pharmaceutical patent in South Korea, focusing on a novel chemical or therapeutic innovation. Its claims are crafted to secure broad yet defensible protection, positioning the patent holder favorably within the competitive landscape. The patent landscape in Korea continues to favor innovative drug development, fostering a competitive environment that incentivizes breakthroughs while ensuring legal mechanisms are in place to protect investments.
Key Takeaways
- The patent's scope hinges on precise chemical structures or therapeutic methods, designed for both broad protection and specific application.
- Claim language and construction critically impact enforceability and defend against prior art challenges.
- South Korea’s patent system supports strong pharmaceutical protection, especially for innovative compounds, which are key assets in global drug development.
- Competition within the Korean patent landscape emphasizes strategic filing across jurisdictions, with a focus on composition-of-matter and use patents.
- Continuous patent monitoring and validity assessments are vital to maintain exclusivity and anticipate infringement or validity disputes.
FAQs
1. How does KR101819869 compare with international patents on similar compounds?
It likely shares common structural features with patents filed in major markets like the US and Europe. The Korean patent may include specific claims tailored to local regulatory or market needs, with conformity ensuring potential international reach through patent family extensions.
2. What are the main factors affecting the strength of claims in KR101819869?
Factors include the breadth of chemical structures covered, the specificity of therapeutic applications, supporting experimental data, and how well the claims distinguish over prior art.
3. Can the patent be challenged or invalidated?
Yes. Common grounds for invalidation include lack of novelty, obviousness, or insufficient disclosure. Prior art searches and patent opposition proceedings also serve as mechanisms to challenge validity.
4. How long does patent protection for KR101819869 last?
Typically 20 years from the filing date, assuming maintenance fees are paid. Based on filing and grant dates, protection extends until approximately 2039.
5. What strategic advantages does this patent confer to its holder?
Exclusive rights to commercialize the protected compound or method in South Korea, opportunities for licensing or partnerships, and a competitive barrier against generic entrants.
Sources
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office. Patent KR101819869.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization. Patent Landscape Reports.
[3] Korean Patent Act and Regulations.
[4] Industry reports on Korean pharmaceutical patent trends.
