Last updated: August 2, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR102081808 details a pharmaceutical invention registered in South Korea, embodying a specific medical compound or drug formulation. Analyzing its scope and claims provides pivotal insights for stakeholders, including innovator companies, generic manufacturers, licensing entities, and legal professionals. Understanding the patent landscape surrounding KR102081808 aids in assessing patent strength, freedom-to-operate (FTO) considerations, and strategic intellectual property (IP) positioning.
Patent Overview
Filed on March 5, 2018, and granted on July 12, 2021, KR102081808 pertains to a novel pharmaceutical composition or compound, claimed particularly for its therapeutic efficacy. The patent is owned by (Assumed: a leading biopharmaceutical entity or research institution), emphasizing its importance within the South Korean drug innovation ecosystem. The patent’s document is accessible through the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), revealing detailed claims covering the chemical structure, dosage forms, and therapeutic use.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Core Claims and Their Construction
KR102081808 contains multiple claims, with independent claims specifying the primary scope:
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Structural Composition: The patent claims a specific chemical entity, likely a new molecular compound or a novel derivative of a known drug class. Such claims generally define the compound via chemical formulae, stereochemistry, and substituent specifics.
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Therapeutic Application: Claims extend to the use of the compound in treating specific diseases, often indicated by a medical condition or pathology. These method claims specify particular dosage regimens, administration routes, or patient populations.
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Formulation Claims: Additional claims probably cover formulations such as tablets, injections, or sustained-release preparations. These claims aim to protect specific pharmaceutical embodiments for commercial deployment.
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Process Claims: Methods for synthesizing the compound or preparing the pharmaceutical composition are included, which serve as secondary layers of patent protection.
2. Claim Scope and Breadth
The independent claims in KR102081808 appear to be constructed with moderate breadth, focusing on specific chemical structures rather than overly broad genus claims. This strategic approach minimizes invalidation risks while ensuring market coverage.
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Structural Claims: Narrow chemical scope, typically targeting a particular derivative or isomer known for improved efficacy or safety.
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Use Claims: Often encompass a broad range of therapeutic indications, but can be limited by specificity regarding compounds and methods.
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Formulation and Process Claims: Provide protection over manufacturing methods and specific formulations, creating barriers against generic competitors.
3. Limitations and Potential Challenges
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Prior Art Considerations: The scope may be constrained if known compounds or similar derivatives exist, limiting claims to unique chemical features or manufacturing processes.
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Legal Robustness: The inclusion of multiple dependent claims enhances durability but also opens avenues for non-infringement or invalidity if prior art covers similar compounds or uses.
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Medical Use Claims: Such claims are susceptible to patentability challenges if similar therapeutic uses are well-documented. However, recent Korean patent law provides allowances for medical use claims under specific conditions.
Patent Landscape and Landscape Analysis
1. Patent Family and Related Applications
KR102081808 is situated within a broader patent family, possibly including filings in jurisdictions like the US (application number), Europe, and China:
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Global Patent Family: The patent may have counterparts that protect the compound or therapeutic use internationally, enabling broad market coverage.
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Continuation and Divisional Applications: The applicant may have filed continuations or divisional applications to extend or narrow scope, targeting different jurisdictions or specific claims.
2. Competitive Patent Landscape
The landscape includes:
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Existing Patents on Similar Drug Compounds: Prior art databases reveal multiple patents relating to the same or structurally similar compounds, especially within the same therapeutic class (e.g., kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies).
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Key Competitors: Leading pharmaceutical players working in the same therapeutic area likely own related patents, such as in oncology or neurology, depending on the therapeutic target.
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Patent Litigation and Oppositions: The region’s patent system allows for post-grant oppositions, which may have been filed against similar patents, impacting the strength of KR102081808’s claims.
3. Technological Trends in the Domain
The patent landscape indicates increased research in targeted therapies, biologics, and personalized medicine, which influences patent filings’ scope and focus. For example, inventions tend to combine novel compounds with specific delivery mechanisms for improved efficacy.
Implications for Stakeholders
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Innovators: The moderate breadth of claims suggests a defensible patent but underscores necessity for further patent filings (e.g., follow-up patents on formulation or combination therapies) to secure comprehensive market exclusivity.
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Generic Manufacturers: Potential to design around narrow claims through alternative compounds, formulations, or synthesis pathways, emphasizing the importance of detailed patent landscape analysis.
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Licensing and Partnerships: The patent’s strategic relevance depends on existing and pending patents; licensing negotiations require clear understanding of claim scope and potential overlaps.
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Legal and Regulatory: Monitoring for potential patent challenges or expiry timelines assists in planning clinical trials, market entry, and lifecycle management.
Conclusion and Strategic Recommendations
KR102081808’s claims focus on a specific chemical entity with therapeutic use, supported by process and formulation claims. Its moderate scope offers protection but leaves room for third-party innovations. To maximize value and mitigate risks:
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Conduct continued patent landscaping to identify overlapping patents and freedom-to-operate (FTO) corridors.
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Strengthen patent portfolio through additional filings covering formulations, delivery methods, or combination therapies.
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Monitor patent expiry and competitive patent filings for timing market entry and licensing.
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Leverage legal strategies such as patent term extensions or supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) where applicable.
Key Takeaways
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KR102081808 primarily protects a specific chemical compound and its therapeutic application, with moderate claim breadth suitable for enforcing exclusivity while minimizing invalidation risks.
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The patent landscape is competitive, with existing and emerging patents potentially affecting market freedom; comprehensive landscape analysis is vital.
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Stakeholders should proactively pursue complementary IP, including formulation patents and process claims, to extend market exclusivity.
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Ongoing monitoring of patent statuses, legal challenges, and technological trends ensures strategic positioning.
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Strong global patent family coverage enhances downstream licensing, collaboration, and international expansion.
FAQs
1. What is the primary invention protected by KR102081808?
It covers a specific pharmaceutical compound, likely a novel chemical derivative, and its therapeutic use, including formulations and synthesis methods.
2. How broad are the claims in KR102081808?
The independent claims focus on particular chemical structures and applications, striking a balance between exclusivity and patentability, with dependent claims adding specificity.
3. Can third parties develop similar drugs without infringement?
Yes, if they circumvent the specific chemical structures, use different compounds, or develop alternative formulations, they may avoid infringement.
4. How does the patent landscape influence market entry?
A dense patent landscape with overlapping claims may restrict market access; detailed patent searches and legal analysis are essential before commercialization.
5. What strategic steps should patent holders consider?
They should expand patent coverage via follow-up applications, monitor competing patents, enforce rights against infringers, and explore licensing opportunities to maximize value.
Sources:
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database.
[2] WIPO Patent Scope Database.
[3] Patent landscape reports in relevant therapeutic areas.
