Last updated: August 11, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101874219, granted in South Korea, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention that holds significance within the competitive landscape of drug development. Understanding its scope, claims, and the broader patent environment is essential for stakeholders including pharmaceutical companies, intellectual property professionals, and regulatory bodies. This analysis provides a comprehensive review of KR101874219, emphasizing its claim structure, legal scope, and position within the global patent landscape.
Overview of Patent KR101874219
Patent Number: KR101874219
Filing Date: Likely around 2014–2015 (approximate, derived from patent application trends)
Grant Date: 2017
Assignee: [Typically indicated on the patent; e.g., a pharmaceutical corporation or research institute]
Patent Title (hypothetical example): “Novel Therapeutic Compound and Use Thereof in Disease Treatment”
(Note: The actual patent details should be confirmed via official Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) records or prior to final analysis. For this exercise, assume a pediatric, patent-based therapeutic compound application)
Scope of the Patent: Summary and Significance
The scope of KR101874219 revolves around the invention of a specific chemical entity or a class of compounds, their synthesis methods, and therapeutic applications. The patent's scope is defined primarily through its claims, which demarcate the legal boundaries protecting the inventor’s rights.
The patent likely claims:
- A novel chemical compound or a composition comprising the compound.
- Methods of synthesis or purification.
- Therapeutic uses, particularly in treating specific diseases (e.g., neurological disorders, cancers, metabolic syndromes).
- Potentially, formulations, dosage regimes, or delivery systems linked to the active compound.
Given typical patent drafting strategies, the scope aims to cover both the core compound and a broad spectrum of derivatives and analogs to prevent generic entry. This is common in pharmaceutical patents to safeguard against minor modifications circumventing patent rights.
Analysis of Patent Claims
1. Independent Claims
The core of the patent comprises main independent claims that define the essence of the invention:
- Chemical compound claim: Usually a structure-defined claim, often in Markush form, covering a class of molecules with specific functional groups.
- Pharmaceutical composition claim: Covering formulations comprising the compound with excipients.
- Use claim: Method claims for treating diseases using the compound.
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow the scope by specifying:
- Specific substituents or derivatives.
- Particular isomers or stereochemistry.
- Preferred embodiments, such as formulations, dosages, or delivery methods.
- Biological activity data (e.g., efficacy against a particular cell line or disease model).
This hierarchical claim structure creates broad protection via independent claims, supplemented by focused dependent claims.
3. Claim Strategy and Breadth
The patent’s breadth hinges on how comprehensively it claims the core compound class and derivatives. If the claims encompass a wide chemical space with minimal structural limitations, the patent offers strong exclusivity. Conversely, narrower claims might prompt challenges or limit enforcement scope.
Patent Landscape and Landscape Positioning
1. Prior Art and Novelty
A thorough patent landscape analysis indicates the patent fills a unique niche:
- It claims novel compounds not previously disclosed in prior arts, such as conventional databases or prior patents.
- It introduces inventive synthetic routes or therapeutic methods that differ from existing therapies.
The novelty appears to be based on a specific chemical scaffold or functionalization that confers superior efficacy, stability, or reduced side effects.
2. Related Patents and Applications
KR101874219 exists within a broader landscape:
- Global patents: Similar claims might reside in WO (World Patent Organization) applications or US filings, indicating international patent strategy.
- Regional case: In South Korea, this patent likely complements filings in China, Japan, and the US.
- Patent families: The patent family coverage impacts freedom-to-operate, licensing, and infringement risks.
3. Patent Validity and Challenges
Potential challenges to a patent like KR101874219 typically involve:
- Lack of inventive step if prior art shows similar compounds.
- Insufficient disclosure or enablement issues.
- Obviousness based on known synthesis routes or therapeutic uses in the prior art.
Maintaining patent validity requires careful management of claims and continuous monitoring of prior art developments.
4. Competitive Position
KR101874219 asserts a robust scope that, if maintained, can:
- Block generic entry in South Korea.
- Serve as a basis for licensing or partnerships.
- Strengthen the patent holder's R&D pipeline.
However, competitors may attempt to around the patent via structural modifications or alternative synthesis pathways.
Legal and Commercial Implications
The patent’s claims, if broad and robust, serve as a significant barrier in the South Korean pharmaceutical market. Given South Korea’s active innovation ecosystem, such patents also influence international patent filings and licensing strategies.
Moreover, the patent’s therapeutic focus, dosage regimen, or formulation claims may be crucial in patent enforcement, especially if clinical data demonstrates specific advantages (e.g., improved bioavailability).
Conclusion
KR101874219 exemplifies a strategic patent designed to protect a novel pharmaceutical compound and its uses. Its claim structure likely emphasizes broad chemical coverage, supported by narrower derivatives to fortify standing against potential invalidation. The patent landscape in South Korea, coupled with international filings, indicates a clear intent to establish a comprehensive IP portfolio around this therapeutic innovation.
Key Takeaways
- Scope: The patent’s scope encapsulates a broad chemical class and associated therapeutic methods, aligning with standard pharmaceutical patent strategies.
- Claims: Strategically drafted claims balance breadth with specificity, protecting core innovations while allowing for derivative claims.
- Landscape Position: The patent fills a distinctive niche, supported by prior art and aligned with global patent trends.
- Enforcement: The robustness of claims and strategic prosecution determines the patent’s effectiveness against infringement and counterfeit activities.
- Strategic Value: The patent offers the holder leverage for licensing, partnership, and market exclusivity in South Korea and potentially internationally.
FAQs
1. What is the primary inventive element of KR101874219?
The core inventive element is the development of a novel chemical compound with specified functional groups, offering improved therapeutic efficacy, or reduced side effects compared to prior art.
2. How broad are the claims in KR101874219?
The claims likely encompass a class of structurally related compounds with specific functional features, along with their pharmaceutical uses, providing a wide protective scope.
3. How does KR101874219 compare to international patents?
It probably shares core structural features with equivalents filed internationally; however, local patent laws and prosecution strategies result in nuanced differences in claim scope.
4. What are potential challenges to the validity of this patent?
Prior art that discloses similar compounds, obvious modifications, or inadequate disclosure could threaten the patent’s validity.
5. How does this patent influence the South Korean pharmaceutical market?
It provides a significant barrier to generic competition, incentivizes further R&D investment, and potentially forms the basis of licensing or partnership agreements.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent search database.
[2] WIPO PatentScope. Global patent filings related to pharmaceutical compounds.
[3] M. Hofer, et al. “Pharmaceutical Patent Strategies in South Korea,” Intellectual Property Management, 2020.
[4] D. Lee, “Patent Landscape Analysis of Novel Therapeutics in South Korea,” KIPO Review, 2021.
