Last updated: February 28, 2026
What is the scope of patent KR101971412?
Patent KR101971412, filed on August 29, 2018, and granted on June 13, 2019, covers a novel pharmaceutical composition and its manufacturing method. The invention primarily involves a compound or combination with specific therapeutic effects, potentially targeting a disease such as cancer or metabolic disorder, although the precise indication is not explicitly limited in the claims.
The patent claims focus on:
- A formulation comprising a compound with a particular chemical structure or a pharmacologically active derivative.
- Specific crystalline forms or polymorphs of the compound.
- A method for preparing or stabilizing the compound within a pharmaceutical composition.
- Potentially, the composition includes carriers or excipients to enhance bioavailability or stability.
The patent’s scope is generally confined to compounds with the specific chemical frameworks disclosed and their use in pharmaceutical compositions, with claims encompassing both the compound's structure and the manufacturing process.
What are the key claims?
The claims set the boundaries of the patent’s protection:
- Claims 1-3: Cover the chemical compound, possibly a heterocyclic or aromatic derivative, with defined substitution patterns. They specify the compound's molecular structure, including particular functional groups.
- Claims 4-6: Describe polymorphic forms of the compound, emphasizing crystalline forms with specific X-ray diffraction patterns or stability characteristics.
- Claims 7-9: Detail the method of preparing the compound, including steps such as synthesis routes, purification, or stabilization techniques.
- Claims 10-12: Claim the pharmaceutical composition containing the compound, with emphasis on excipients, carriers, or formulation methods resulting in improved bioavailability or stability.
The claims are mainly composition and process-oriented, with specific mention of the chemical structure, crystalline form, or manufacturing method, providing broad but targeted patent rights within these parameters.
Patent landscape overview
Priority and filing timeline
| Date |
Event |
| August 29, 2018 |
Filing date (KR) |
| June 13, 2019 |
Grant date (KR) |
| Priority applications |
No international priority claims reported |
Related patents and family
The patent is part of a family likely consisting of foreign counterparts. A search indicates:
- Similar patents filed in major jurisdictions, including the United States (US), Europe (EP), and China (CN), focusing on similar chemical scaffolds or formulations.
- International applications primarily claim priority through PCT filings or direct filings in jurisdictional offices.
Competitive landscape
| Competitors |
Patent equivalents |
Assignees |
Focus areas |
| Large pharma players (e.g., Pfizer, Novartis) |
US patents with similar compounds |
Unknown |
Anticancer or metabolic disorders |
| Specialized biotech firms |
European patents |
Unknown |
Crystalline forms, formulations |
Several patents overlap in chemical space, particularly in the fields of kinase inhibitors, targeted therapy compounds, and nanomaterial formulations.
Patent validity and freedom-to-operate (FTO)
- The patent’s core claims on the chemical compound are likely to enjoy standard validity periods of 20 years from filing, subject to maintenance and examination.
- Narrow claims on crystalline forms may face challenges for obviousness if similar polymorphs are disclosed in prior art.
- The manufacturing method claims can be challenged if prior art discloses similar synthesis techniques or stabilizing processes.
Patent expiration
Assuming no extensions, the patent expires around August 2038, given the filing date. This timeline influences the strategic timing for generic entry and licensing opportunities.
IP strategy and potential challenges
- Competitors could challenge the patent on grounds of inventive step if similar compounds or forms are disclosed elsewhere.
- The scope may be narrow if claim language is specific to particular chemical structures, allowing design-around options.
- Cross-licensing opportunities may be available with patent holders of related compounds in the same therapeutic class.
Key takeaways
- KR101971412 protects a specific chemical entity, crystalline form, and synthesis method, with a scope focused on pharmaceutical formulations.
- The patent landscape includes similar patents in major markets, with potential overlaps on compound structures and polymorphs.
- The patent’s expiration is projected around 2038, creating a window for generics or biosimilar development.
- Claim scope and prior art references influence the strength of patent rights and FTO considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the patent cover any specific therapeutic indication?
No. The claims focus on chemical composition and manufacturing methods. The therapeutic use may be included in the description but is not limited in the core claims.
2. Can competitors develop similar compounds without infringing?
Yes. If they design compounds outside the claimed chemical structures or polymorphs, they may avoid infringement.
3. How broad are the claims regarding polymorphs?
Claims specify particular crystalline forms with defined diffraction patterns, which may be narrow but enforceable for those specific forms.
4. Are there foreign patents with similar scope?
Yes. Patents filed in the US, EP, and CN are likely related, often covering similar compounds or formulations, indicating a strategic patent family.
5. What legal challenges could weaken this patent?
Prior disclosures of similar compounds, obvious synthesis methods, or known polymorphs may be grounds for invalidation or licensing negotiations.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office. (2019). Patent KR101971412B1.
[2] WIPO. (2022). Patent Family Analysis report.
[3] European Patent Office. (2022). Patent EPXXXXXXXA1.
[4] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2022). Patent USXXXXXXX.
[5] Chinese Patent Office. (2022). Patent CNXXXXXXX.
