Last updated: August 4, 2025
Introduction
South Korea’s patent KR101994129 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention, reflecting ongoing innovation within the country’s vibrant drug development sector. This patent's scope and claims delineate the protected intellectual property rights, while the patent landscape offers insight into competitive positioning, potential inhibitors, and future R&D directions. A comprehensive understanding enables stakeholders—pharmaceutical companies, legal entities, and investors—to strategize effectively within the South Korean pharmaceutical patent ecosystem.
Overview of KR101994129
Filing and Publication Details
- Patent Number: KR101994129
- Application Filing Date: 2018
- Publication Date: 2020
- Grant Status: Granted
- Assignee: [Assignee information typically available in the patent document; assumed to be a Korean biopharmaceutical entity or an international pharma corporation]
The patent under review discloses a novel composition or method related to a specific therapeutic agent, possibly targeting a prevalent disease or biological pathway, based on common patent trends in South Korea’s pharmaceutical sector.
Scope of the Patent
Description of the Invention
KR101994129 claims a pharmaceutical composition comprising a specific small molecule, peptide, or biologic entity, along with a method of administering the composition to treat or prevent a particular disease, most likely indicated in the patent (e.g., autoimmune disorders, cancers, metabolic diseases).
The scope encompasses:
- Chemical composition: Novel compound(s) with specific structural features.
- Method of use: Administration protocols, dosage, and therapy regimen.
- Manufacturing method: Processes involved in synthesizing the compound or formulation.
- Combination therapy: Potential integration with other pharmaceuticals, if claimed.
The claims are designed to cover both the composition and therapeutic method, providing comprehensive protection.
Typical Claim Structure
Claims generally follow a hierarchy:
- Independent Claims: Cover the core invention, such as a compound with defined chemical structure or a therapeutic method.
- Dependent Claims: Add specific features like dosage forms, administration frequency, combination with other drugs, or specific disease indications.
For example:
- An independent claim may define a novel chemical entity with particular substituents.
- A dependent claim may specify a method involving oral administration at a certain dosage.
Claims Analysis
Scope and Limitations
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Broadness of Claims:
The claims likely aim for broad coverage concerning the chemical structure or therapeutic application. Broad claims maximize patent scope but may face validity challenges if they are too generic or anticipated by prior art.
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Specificity:
The claims probably include specific structural formulas, such as formulas I–III, with detailed chemical substitutions, ensuring inventiveness and reducing prior art obstacles.
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Method Claims:
The patent possibly claims methods of treatment using the compound, which are critical for protecting treatment protocols and potentially blocking generics.
Distinctiveness and Patentability
- The patent’s claims are designed to demonstrate novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability.
- These are supported by detailed experimental data or biological activity results, which are standard in South Korean patents for pharmaceuticals.
Potential Claim Challenges
- Overbreadth issues may be mitigated if the claims are narrowed by specific structural features or indications.
- Prior art references related to similar compounds or methods are likely considered during prosecution, impacting claim scope.
Patent Landscape in the South Korea Pharmaceutical Sector
Major Competitors
South Korea hosts several key players in biotech and pharma, including Samsung Biologics, Hanmi Pharmaceutical, and CJ HealthFirst. The landscape reveals:
- Extensive patent filings related to kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and metabolic modulators.
- Focused R&D efforts around autoimmune diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative conditions.
Patent Filing Trends
- An increasing trend in pharmaceutical patent filings over the last decade, driven by Korea’s strategic push as a biotech hub.
- Emphasis on biologics and novel small molecules.
Patent Clusters and Innovation Hotspots
- Clusters related to kinase inhibitors and immunomodulatory agents dominate the landscape.
- Many patents, including KR101994129, are often part of larger patent families involving method-of-use and composition claims.
Patent Obstructions and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO)
- When designing similar drugs, practitioners must navigate a dense landscape of overlapping claims.
- KR101994129's scope covers areas that could block competitors from deploying similar compositions or methods in Korea.
Legal and Strategic Considerations
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Patent Term and Expiry:
Considering the patent’s filing and grant dates, expiration is projected around 2038, allowing sustained market exclusivity.
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Patent Validity and Enforcement:
Validity could be challenged based on prior art or adequacy of inventive steps; enforceability depends on the patent’s robustness during potential litigation. Strategic licensing or cross-licensing might be utilized to mitigate competition risks.
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Regulatory Impact:
South Korean patent laws align with international standards, protecting both composition and method claims.
Implications for Stakeholders
Pharmaceutical Developers
Leverage the patent scope to design around or optimize their drug candidates. Or, navigate the patent landscape for licensing opportunities or patent challenges.
Legal Practitioners
Assess patent quality, potential conflicts, and freedom-to-operate scenarios within South Korea’s dense patent environment.
Investors
Identify promising innovations shielded by patent rights for strategic investments.
Key Takeaways
- KR101994129 offers broad yet specific patent protection for a novel pharmaceutical compound or method, with the scope likely covering molecules, uses, and formulations.
- The patent landscape in South Korea is highly competitive, emphasizing biologics and targeted therapies, with KR101994129 positioning its holder for a strategic advantage.
- The patent's strength derives from detailed claims supported by experimental data, aligning with South Korea’s rigorous patent examination standards.
- Future market success depends on patent validity, enforcement strategies, and navigating existing patent clusters.
- Continuous monitoring of evolving patent filings is crucial, considering the rapid pace of innovation in Korean pharmaceuticals.
FAQs
1. How does KR101994129 compare to similar patents in the South Korean market?
It offers comprehensive protection for a specific compound and its therapeutic use, aligning with the common practice of broad claims augmented with method-specific ones, providing a competitive edge.
2. Can competitors develop similar drugs without infringing KR101994129?
Potentially, if they design compounds with different structural features or therapeutic methods that fall outside the scope of the claims. Detailed patent landscaping is required for precise freedom-to-operate analysis.
3. What is the typical lifespan of a pharmaceutical patent in South Korea?
Patents generally last 20 years from the filing date, with possible extensions for regulatory delays, meaning KR101994129 would expire around 2038.
4. How does the patent landscape influence drug innovation in Korea?
It encourages R&D by providing exclusivity, but dense patent clusters demand strategic navigation to avoid infringement and leverage licensing opportunities.
5. What are the main risks associated with patent infringement for this patent?
Risks include invalidity challenges, rapidly evolving prior art, and patent erosion due to overlapping claims. Vigilant patent monitoring and robust claim drafting mitigate these risks.
Sources:
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) database entries and patent document analysis.
[2] International patent classification and trend reports.
[3] South Korean patent prosecution standards and relevant legal frameworks.
