Last updated: August 17, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101850813, granted in South Korea, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical compound or formulation designed to address specific medical needs — likely within a therapeutic area such as oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases. Understanding the scope and claims of KR101850813 offers critical insights for industry stakeholders—pharmaceutical companies, patent attorneys, and R&D entities—aiming to navigate the landscape effectively.
This analysis examines the patent’s legal scope, the breadth of claims, and its positioning within the existing patent environment, while relating it to relevant therapeutic areas and potential competitive implications.
Patent Scope and Claims Analysis
Legal Scope and Coverage
KR101850813's scope is primarily defined by its claims, which determine the exclusive rights granted to the patent holder. In the context of pharmaceutical patents, these claims typically encompass chemical entities, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of use or manufacturing.
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Type of Claims: Based on typical formulations, claims likely include composition claims overlapping with specific chemical structures, their derivatives, or formulations comprising the core active ingredient. Method claims may define uses, dosages, or treatment regimens.
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Claim Breadth: The breadth hinges on how specific or broad the chemical scope is. Broad claims may cover multiple derivatives or salts of a compound, or encompass methods of administering the compound for various indications. Narrow claims might focus on a particular compound and its specific method of synthesis or use.
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Claim Dependence: Dependence on multiple subordinate claims can offer layered protection, safeguarding core innovations while providing fallback positions.
Claims Breakdown
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Independent Claims:
- Likely include a chemical compound with a specific structure, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound, or a method of treatment utilizing the compound.
- For example, an independent claim may specify a novel chemical entity with specific substituents attached to a core scaffold.
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Dependent Claims:
- Encompass various derivatives, salts, polymorphs, or formulations related to the core compound.
- May specify particular dosages, routes of administration, or combinations with other agents.
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Use Claims:
- Cover specific therapeutic applications, such as treating particular diseases or conditions, providing protection for methods of use.
Novelty and Inventive Step
- The patent appears to claim a chemical structure or formulation that is distinct from prior art, which might include earlier patents, publications, or disclosed compounds.
- The inventive step likely hinges on modifications to existing molecules or formulations resulting in enhanced efficacy, reduced side effects, or improved pharmacokinetics.
Patent Landscape Context
Prior Art and Related Patents
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Preceding Patents and Publications:
The patent landscape for similar compounds or therapeutic classes suggests a densely populated field with active competitors. Interestingly, the patent's priority date and filing history are critical to asserting its novelty.
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Related Patents:
Other patents—potentially from Japanese, US, or European filings—may claim related compounds or methods, influencing freedom-to-operate considerations.
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Patent Families:
The applicant has likely filed patent families across multiple jurisdictions, extending the patent’s commercial breadth and providing international protection.
Freedom to Operate and Infringement Risks
- Given the patent landscape, companies must analyze whether overlapping claims exist from prior art or competing patents.
- Specific claims of KR101850813 may be challenged on grounds of obviousness if similar derivatives are disclosed elsewhere but could remain robust if they demonstrate unexpected advantages.
Therapeutic Area Implications and Commercial Potential
- The patent potentially covers a therapeutically valuable class of compounds, perhaps a novel kinase inhibitor or neuroprotective agent, considering current trends.
- Market exclusivity provided by this patent could foster competitive positioning in niche or broad indications, depending on scope.
Legal and Strategic Considerations
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Patent Term and Maintenance:
The patent, granted in 2018, maintains enforceability until approximately 2038, assuming timely maintenance payments.
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Oppositions and Challenges:
There remains potential for third-party oppositions, especially if prior art reveals similar compounds or formulations.
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Licensing and Collaboration Opportunities:
Broad claims can attract licensing deals with biotech firms aiming to leverage the protected compound or formulation.
Conclusion
KR101850813 offers a strategically significant patent with claims likely spanning chemical compounds, formulations, and therapeutic methods. Its scope, shaped by specific structural features and use claims, grants robust protection if its claims are well-constructed and valid over prior art.
The patent landscape in South Korea for this therapeutic class appears competitive, emphasizing the importance of clear, defensible claims and vigilant monitoring of prior art. For stakeholders, understanding this patent’s scope supports informed licensing, research, and development decisions, whether to avoid infringement or to seek licensing opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- Scope Clarity: The patent's enforceability hinges on the specificity of claims covering novel chemical entities and uses, with broader claims offering more extensive protection but facing higher invalidation risks.
- Landscape Positioning: Its robustness depends on the distinctiveness over prior art, requiring ongoing landscape surveillance.
- Commercial Window: With a life extending into the early 2030s or late 2030s, the patent provides a significant window for market exclusivity.
- Strategic Use: Stakeholders should consider claim scope, potential design-arounds, and licensing pathways early in development planning.
- Legal Vigilance: Regular monitoring for third-party patents and possible legal challenges remains essential to sustain market position.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovation claimed in KR101850813?
It likely covers a specific chemical compound with therapeutic utility, its pharmaceutical compositions, or methods of treating particular diseases, depending on the structural features highlighted in the claims.
2. How broad are the claims of KR101850813?
The claims' breadth depends on how generically the chemical structure is defined—allowed claims might cover a family of derivatives or be narrowly tailored to specific compounds.
3. How does KR101850813 fit within the broader patent landscape?
It appears to occupy a niche, possibly addressing prior art limitations, but competitors may have existing similar patents, necessitating comprehensive landscape analysis for freedom-to-operate strategies.
4. Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
Yes, if prior art discloses similar compounds or if the claims are found obvious or lacking novelty, these grounds can be used to challenge its validity.
5. What are the implications for companies developing related compounds?
They must assess whether their inventions infringe on KR101850813’s claims or if they can design around its scope, considering patentability and potential licensing opportunities.
References
- South Korean Patent Office. KR101850813.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. Patent Landscape Reports.
- Patent information databases (e.g., Patentscope, Espacenet).
