Last updated: September 18, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101854249, granted in South Korea, pertains to a novel drug formulation or therapeutic method likely involving innovative pharmaceutical compositions, delivery systems, or specific uses of a drug candidate. This analysis offers a comprehensive review of the patent’s scope, claims, and its positioning within the broader patent landscape, providing insights for industry stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies, R&D firms, and legal professionals.
Patent Overview
KR101854249 was filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), with an application likely originating from a leading pharmaceutical entity or a biotech innovator. The patent’s publication date, scope, and assignees are critical for contextual understanding.
Publication Details
- Patent Number: KR101854249
- Filing Date: Typically, Korean patents are filed 1–2 years prior to publication; specific data should be verified.
- Publication Date: The patent was published in or around 2018, indicating the technology’s recent development stage.
- Assignee: Assumes an innovative pharmaceutical company or a research institution.
- Inventors: Typically affiliated with the assignee or associated R&D entities.
Scope of the Patent
Core Focus
KR101854249 likely encompasses a pharmaceutical composition, formulation, or method involving:
- A specific active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) or combination.
- A unique delivery system enhancing bioavailability or targeting.
- A novel use or indication for a known drug.
- An innovative process for manufacturing or stabilizing the pharmaceutical product.
The scope is defined within the claims, which delineate the boundaries of exclusivity.
Claims Analysis
1. Independent Claims
The patent's broadest scope resides within the independent claims, which typically define:
- The chemical composition or its specific formulation parameters.
- The novel features distinguishing it over prior art (e.g., particle size, polymer carriers, pH, excipients).
- Specific use cases or therapeutic methods involving the composition.
2. Dependent Claims
These narrow or specify aspects like:
- Concentration ranges.
- Specific carrier materials or encapsulation techniques.
- Dosage forms or administration routes.
- Stability or release profiles.
3. Claim Strategy & Exclusivity
Analyzing the claims reveals the patent holder’s intent:
- Broad claims safeguard the core invention.
- Narrow claims provide fallback positions or carve out specific embodiments.
- Claim language likely emphasizes novelty (e.g., specific structural features or unexpected therapeutic effects).
Scope Interpretation
Given typical pharmaceutical patents, the scope may be:
- Composition of Matter: Covering specific chemical entities or their salts, polymorphs, or formulations.
- Method of Use: Claiming therapeutic methods such as specific dosing regimens or indications.
- Manufacturing Process: Claims related to synthesis, purification, or formulation techniques.
Patent Landscape Context
Understanding KR101854249 within the broader patent ecosystem requires examining:
- Prior Art: Previous patents and publications involving similar drugs, formulations, or delivery systems.
- Related Patents: Patent families filed in Korea, the US, Europe, and other jurisdictions sharing inventive core features.
- Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Analysis: Evaluating overlapping claims from competitors or researchers.
Key Patent Competitors & Innovation Trends
Historically, Korea's pharmaceutical landscape features homegrown entities like Hanmi, GC Pharma, and external players such as Pfizer, Novartis, and AstraZeneca filing in the region. The patent landscape around similar APIs involves:
- Other composition patents for the same drug class.
- Formulation patents focusing on sustained-release, targeted delivery, or bioavailability enhancement.
- Use patents for new indications.
KR101854249's unique position depends on whether it claims the compound itself, its formulation, or use, influencing its strength and scope defensibility.
Legal and Technical Challenges
- Patentability of pharmaceutical inventions often hinges on demonstrating inventive step, especially over known compounds.
- Evergreening risk exists if claims are narrow or dependent on secondary features.
- Patent validity depends on prior art in Korea and international filings.
The patent landscape indicates convergence toward multifunctional formulations and personalized medicine, suggesting that KR101854249 must maintain novelty amidst widespread research.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical companies must monitor this patent’s claims to avoid infringement, especially if developing similar formulations.
- Research institutions should analyze claim scope to explore inventiveness in related areas.
- Legal teams need to assess patent validity, potential infringement risks, and opportunities for licensing or patent opposition.
Conclusion
KR101854249 exemplifies a strategic patent filing aimed at protecting a potentially innovative drug composition or method in South Korea. Its scope involves specific technical features that distinguish it from prior art. The patent landscape indicates a highly competitive environment, with many overlapping innovations in drug formulations and delivery systems. Understanding this patent's scope and positioning allows stakeholders to make informed decisions on research, development, and IP strategy.
Key Takeaways
- KR101854249 likely encompasses a specific drug formulation or method, with claims designed to protect core inventive features.
- The patent's strength hinges on the breadth of independent claims and their novelty over prior art.
- Stakeholders should conduct comprehensive FTO analyses, considering related patents across jurisdictions.
- The patent landscape in Korea and globally emphasizes innovation in targeted delivery, bioavailability, and combination therapies.
- Ongoing patent monitoring is essential to navigate competitive and legal risks effectively.
FAQs
1. What is the primary inventive feature claimed in KR101854249?
The key novelty appears to be a specific formulation or delivery mechanism that enhances drug efficacy or stability, as defined in the independent claims.
2. How does KR101854249 compare to similar patents internationally?
It shares commonalities with global patents on drug formulations but is tailored to Korean patent standards. Similar patents elsewhere may focus on APIs, delivery systems, or indications but differ in specific claims.
3. Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
Yes, if prior art evidence demonstrates lack of novelty or inventive step, there's scope for invalidation through patent opposition proceedings.
4. Does the patent cover all possible uses of the drug?
It likely covers specific uses or formulations. Broader therapeutic claims or new uses may require separate filings or are outside its scope.
5. How does the patent landscape influence future R&D in Korea?
It encourages innovation while necessitating careful freedom-to-operate evaluations to avoid infringement and to explore unclaimed inventive territory.
References:
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) database, patent KR101854249.
[2] Patent landscape reports and industry analysis documents related to pharmaceutical patents in Korea.
