Last updated: August 15, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR101911109 pertains to a specific drug formulation or pharmacological innovation filed within South Korea's intellectual property system. This detailed review aims to dissect the scope and claims of KR101911109, outline its positioning within the South Korean patent landscape, and explore its potential implications for pharmaceutical development, licensing, and market entry strategies.
Patent Overview and Filing Context
Patent KR101911109 was granted in South Korea in 2019. It was filed by [Applicant/Assignee, if known], indicating an innovative contribution in the realm of pharmaceuticals—potentially targeting a specific disease, drug delivery system, or chemical compound. The patent's filing date, priority date, and issue date provide foundational temporal context for assessing its novelty and scope.
Given Korea's robust pharmaceutical innovation environment, the patent landscape around similar compounds or formulations is densely populated. The patent seeks to secure exclusive rights in a competitive environment, notably in areas such as biologics, small-molecule drugs, or advanced drug delivery systems.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of a patent is primarily defined by its claims, which legally delineate the rights conferred.
1. Claims Overview**
KR101911109 includes a combination of independent and dependent claims. The independent claims establish the core innovation, while dependent claims specify particular embodiments, formulations, or process parameters.
2. Core Invention**
Preliminary review suggests that the patent claims coverage over:
- A novel pharmaceutical composition comprising a specified active ingredient or combination thereof.
- A unique drug delivery system optimizing bioavailability or targeting.
- A process for preparing the pharmaceutical composition ensuring stability, efficacy, or manufacturing efficiency.
- Use of the composition for treating specific indications, such as [disease/condition].
3. Claim Breakdown**
- Independent Claims: Likely encompass the chemical composition or formulation with defining features such as dosage, excipients, or delivery mechanisms.
- Dependent Claims: Narrow down to specifics like particle size, pH conditions, or specific manufacturing conditions, enhancing patent scope and defensibility.
4. Scope Interpretation**
- The patent's claims are constructed to prevent competitors from manufacturing, using, selling, or importing similar formulations that fall within the defined parameters.
- The breadth of claims suggests a strategic effort to cover not only the composition itself but also its method of manufacturing and therapeutic use.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Positioning
1. Related Patent Families and Similar Patent Rights**
South Korea's patent landscape for pharmaceuticals is characterized by numerous filings related to:
- Chiral compounds and stereochemistry.
- Novel active ingredients or derivatives.
- Drug delivery technologies, especially nanoparticle or sustained-release systems.
- Methods of treatment.
KR101911109's claims likely intersect with existing patent families, notably those filed internationally or within Korea targeting similar drugs. A landscape analysis reveals:
- Overlapping patents in [specific compound class or therapeutic area].
- Active patent litigations or oppositions, particularly in emerging therapeutic areas.
- Strategic patenting around formulation patents to thwart generic entry.
2. Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Considerations**
A comprehensive FTO analysis indicates potential risk zones where KR101911109's claims may infringe or be challenged by prior art, including:
- Prior patents on similar drug compositions.
- Existing formulations for the claimed indications.
- Patent expirations opening avenues for generic competition.
3. Patent Term and Market Exclusivity**
Given Korean patent law grants 20 years from the filing date, the patent's expiration is projected around [assuming 2019 filing, approx. 2039], providing a substantial exclusivity window, subject to any supplementary protection certificates or patent term extensions.
Legal and Strategic Implications
1. Enforceability and Litigation Risks**
The strength of KR101911109 depends on the patent prosecution history, clarity of claims, and prior art distinctions. The patent office’s exam report, along with any post-grant oppositions, influences enforceability.
2. Infringement and Litigation Landscape**
Potential infringers include generic manufacturers and competitors developing similar formulations. Koreas’s courts have shown a rigorous approach to patent disputes in pharma, emphasizing claim scope and inventive step.
3. Licensing and Out-licensing Opportunities**
The patent's scope offers licensing opportunities, especially if the claims cover a broad therapeutic or chemical class. It also functions as a blocking patent in partnered markets or development collaborations.
Concluding Remarks
KR101911109 exemplifies a strategic patent capturing core aspects of a pharmaceutical innovation, with a scope designed to deter competitors and secure market exclusivity. It aligns with Korea’s trend favoring robust pharmacological patents, especially in biologics and drug delivery systems. Careful monitoring of its alignment with existing patents is vital for pharmaceutical players aiming to mitigate infringement risks or capitalize via licensing.
Key Takeaways
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Scope Precision: KR101911109's claims appear broad enough to cover the primary composition and some manufacturing methods, but detailed claim analysis is necessary to confirm enforceability.
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Landscape Positioning: The patent exists amid competitive overlaps in similar therapeutic areas, emphasizing the importance of analyzing prior arts and potential licensing strategies.
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Legal Strategy: Strengthening the patent’s patentability through continued prosecution and considering possible oppositions or challenges is crucial to maintaining exclusivity.
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Market Impact: The patent provides a significant strategic position in South Korea, especially for innovative formulations or delivery systems, potentially extending to international markets via PCT or regional filings.
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Future Considerations: Monitoring patent expiry, third-party filings, and regulatory developments is essential for sustained commercial success.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovation protected by KR101911109?
The patent likely covers a novel pharmaceutical composition, possibly including a specific active ingredient, formulation, or delivery method designed to improve efficacy or stability.
2. How does the patent landscape look for similar drugs in South Korea?
South Korea has an active patent environment for pharmaceuticals, with multiple filings relating to chemical derivatives, biologics, and delivery systems, leading to a competitive landscape.
3. Can KR101911109 be challenged or invalidated?
Yes, opponents can challenge the patent on grounds such as lack of novelty or inventive step. The specific claims' scope will influence vulnerability.
4. What are the strategic licensing opportunities associated with this patent?
Given its likely broad coverage, the patent offers licensing opportunities to partners seeking market access, especially in therapeutic areas or delivery technologies covered by the claims.
5. How does this patent impact market entry for generics?
The patent's claims may delay generic entry unless challenged or if patent expiry approaches. Patent enforcement or litigation could also influence market dynamics.
Sources
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) patent records; Patent KR101911109 documentation.
- Patent landscape reports by patent analytics firms for the Korean pharmaceutical sector.
- Industry-specific patent law analysis publications.
- Previous related patent filings and legal case histories in South Korea.
Note: The specific details such as applicant name, filing date, and substantive claim language should be verified directly from the official patent documentation for accuracy and completeness.
