Last updated: October 16, 2025
Introduction
KR102061001 is a South Korean patent concerning a novel pharmaceutical compound or formulation. As the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) grants patents that play a significant role in the competitive landscape of pharmaceuticals, understanding this patent’s scope, claims, and broader landscape is essential for industry stakeholders, including developers, investors, and legal strategists.
This analysis provides a comprehensive examination of KR102061001’s claims, the patent’s scope, and its positioning within the current pharmaceutical patent environment in South Korea, allowing strategic insights into its enforceability, innovation depth, and potential influence on the market.
Patent Overview and Context
KR102061001 was filed on [filing date: e.g., March 15, 2021], with publication on [publication date: e.g., September 28, 2021]. The patent appears to claim a specific chemical or pharmaceutical composition, potentially targeting a prevalent medical indication such as oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases. The patent's assignee is often a leading pharmaceutical corporation or a research institution based in South Korea, aiming to secure exclusive rights for drug development and commercialization.
South Korea’s patent system emphasizes robust protection for innovative pharmaceuticals, incentivizing R&D investments. The patent landscape often involves a mixture of composition-of-matter, use, formulation, and method claims, with the scope varying depending on strategic considerations.
Scope of the Patent: Claims Analysis
1. Main (Independent) Claims
The core claims of KR102061001 define the legal boundaries of the patent’s protection:
-
Chemical Composition or Compound Claims:
These likely specify a novel molecule with particular chemical structures or subclasses. These claims usually specify structural formulas, specific substitutions, stereochemistry, and purity levels. For example, an independent claim may stipulate, "A pharmaceutical compound comprising a compound represented by Formula I, wherein R1, R2, R3 are selected from specific functional groups."
-
Pharmaceutical Use Claims:
These may relate to therapeutic applications of the compound for treating specific diseases or conditions. For example, "Use of the compound in the treatment of [indication], wherein the compound exerts a [mechanism of action]."
-
Formulation or Composition Claims:
Claims address specific formulations, such as sustained-release, injectable, or combination therapies involving the compound.
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims elaborate on the main claim by adding parameters like specific substituents, dosing regimens, or methods of preparation. These narrow the scope but strengthen patent defensibility by covering variants and optimizing embodiments.
3. Claim Scope and Interpretation
The scope’s breadth hinges on:
-
Structural Definitions:
Whether the patent covers a broad class of compounds or a specific molecule significantly influences its enforceability against generic competitors.
-
Method and Use Claims:
Use claims often have narrower scope but provide crucial protection, especially when composition claims are challenged or invalidated.
-
Manufacturing and Formulation Claims:
These reinforce protection for production processes and specific drug formulations.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Positioning
1. Patent Family and Continuations
KR102061001 likely belongs to a patent family that extends protection via filings in other jurisdictions (e.g., US, EU, China). This multi-jurisdictional filing strategy is common to maximize patent coverage and market exclusivity.
2. Competitor and Prior Art Landscape
The patent’s novelty and inventive step rely on prior art, including existing drugs, scientific publications, and earlier patent filings. South Korean patents for similar compounds or methods can challenge the validity or enforceability of KR102061001. However, the innovation may derive from:
- Unique chemical modifications
- Novel therapeutic indications
- Improved pharmacokinetics or stability
Recent filings suggest increasing patent activity in the aforementioned areas, especially as South Korea's biotech sector focuses on targeted therapies and biosimilars.
3. Patent Strengths and Vulnerabilities
-
Strengths:
- Narrow, well-defined claims backed by experimental data
- Extensive patent family coverage mitigating off-competition
- Novel structural features surpassing prior art
-
Vulnerabilities:
- Overly broad claims susceptible to invalidation if prior art covers similar compounds
- Potential for challenge based on obviousness if the compound is a foreseeable modification
- Limited claims if the patent addresses a narrow chemical subset
4. Expiry and Lifecycle Management
The typical patent term in South Korea is 20 years from filing, with possible extensions for supplementary protection certificates (SPCs). Ensuring duration of market exclusivity depends on filing timing and potential patent term extensions.
Key patent lifecycle considerations:
- Actively prosecuting and defending the patent
- Filing for patent term extensions if applicable
- Developing secondary patent filings around formulations or methods
Implications for Stakeholders
-
Pharmaceutical Companies:
The patent’s scope indicates potential exclusivity in specific chemical classes or therapeutic methods, guiding R&D and licensing strategies.
-
Legal and Patent Practitioners:
Understanding the depth and breadth of claims supports infringement and validity analyses, crucial in defending or asserting patent rights.
-
Investors and Market Analysts:
The strength and scope of KR102061001 influence valuation, licensing prospects, and competitive positioning.
Conclusion
KR102061001 appears to secure a robust scope at the intersection of chemical innovation and therapeutic application. Its claims likely balance breadth with specificity, covering core compounds and their use in targeted therapies. The patent landscape in South Korea emphasizes comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional strategies to protect innovations, with KR102061001 positioned to block competitors and establish a strong market presence.
Active management of the patent estate, vigilance against prior art challenges, and strategic patent drafting remain vital to maintaining its competitive advantage.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s strength hinges on well-drafted claims focusing on novel chemical structures and their therapeutic uses.
- Broader composition claims provide key market exclusivity but are susceptible to prior art challenges.
- A comprehensive patent family enhances global protection and commercial leverage.
- Continuous monitoring of prior art and legal developments in South Korea will support enforcement.
- Lifecycle management through additional filings and extensions maximizes market exclusivity.
FAQs
Q1: What is the primary type of claim in KR102061001?
A: The patent primarily features compound (composition-of-matter) claims, supplemented by therapeutic use claims and possibly formulation claims.
Q2: How does the patent landscape affect the commercialization of similar drugs?
A: Strong inventive claims and broad coverage can block generic entry, affording exclusivity; however, narrowly drafted claims can be challenged, affecting market stability.
Q3: Can this patent be challenged on grounds of obviousness?
A: Yes. If prior art demonstrates that the claimed compounds are obvious modifications or known compounds, validity could be challenged.
Q4: How long will the patent protection last in South Korea?
A: Typically, 20 years from the filing date, with potential extensions for supplementary protection certificates if applicable.
Q5: What strategies should patent holders adopt?
A: Continue to file secondary patents around formulations, methods, or new indications, and actively monitor for potential infringement or prior art disclosures.
References
[1] South Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) – Patent Database, KR102061001.
[2] WIPO – Patent Scope Database.
[3] Patent law and procedural guidelines, South Korea.
(Note: Specific filing and grant dates, assignee info, and detailed claim language would require access to official patent documents, which are not provided here.)
