Last updated: February 25, 2026
What Does Patent KR102143660 Cover?
KR102143660, filed by Celltrion, Inc., pertains to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment targeting tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). The patent broadly claims an anti-TNF-α antibody with specific variable region sequences. It aims to protect a biosimilar or recombinant antibody product designed to inhibit TNF-α activity for treating autoimmune diseases.
Patent Claims Overview
The patent includes:
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Main Claims: Cover recombinant anti-TNF-α antibodies with specific amino acid sequences in the variable regions. These sequences are intended to mirror or demonstrate similarity to known therapeutic antibodies such as infliximab or adalimumab.
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Dependent Claims: Cover variants, methods of production, pharmaceutical compositions, and uses for treating autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and psoriasis.
Scope of the Claims
The claims emphasize:
- Antibodies with specific heavy and light chain variable region sequences.
- Variants with certain amino acid modifications that retain TNF-α binding activity.
- Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the described antibodies.
- Methods of treatment using these compositions.
The scope is designed to encompass biosimilar antibodies that match the key binding regions, aligning with Celltrion’s portfolio of biologic biosimilars.
Claim Specificity and Breadth
The claims specify sequences with certain regions of high sequence identity, covering both:
- Exact sequence embodiments.
- Variants with minimal modifications maintaining bioactivity.
This limits broad monopolization but provides coverage for biosimilars with high similarity, typical in biosimilar patents.
Patent Landscape for Anti-TNF-α Therapeutics in South Korea
Key Patent Families and Filing Trends
South Korea hosts a robust patent landscape for anti-TNF-α biologics, driven by local biosimilar developers like Celltrion and Samsung Bioepis, alongside global innovators like Johnson & Johnson (Remicade/Infliximab) and AbbVie (Humira/Adalimumab).
Primary patent families in this space include:
| Patent Family |
Applicants |
Key Focus |
Filing Year |
Status |
| Celltrion's TNF-α antibodies |
Celltrion |
Biosimilar antibodies, formulations |
2019-2021 |
Granted or pending |
| Innovator patents (J&J, AbbVie) |
Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie |
Original antibodies, methods |
1998-2006 |
Expired or soon expiring |
| Biosimilar patent extensions |
Samsung Bioepis |
Variant antibodies, formulation |
2018-2020 |
Pending/granted |
South Korea’s patent deadlines for biologics generally follow 20-year terms from filing, with extensions or new filings securing market exclusivity.
Patent Durations and Market Exclusivity
Patents filed around 2019-2021 are expected to expire circa 2039-2041. This aligns with the 20-year standard from filing in South Korea, with potential extensions for certain biologics under supplementary protections.
Patent Strategy and Litigation Landscape
Celltrion extensively files for patents covering specific sequence variants, manufacturing methods, and formulations, protecting biosimilar candidates entering the market following patent expirations of originator products.
Litigation in South Korea has demonstrated vigorous enforcement of biosimilar patents, with originator companies actively defending key patents on their biologic assets.
Competing Patents and Potential Challenges
While KR102143660 provides composition and method claims around specific antigen-binding fragments, competitor patents focus on:
- Different sequence variants.
- Manufacturing processes.
- Delivery formulations.
Competitors may seek to design-around or invalidate claims through prior art challenges, especially given the high patent activity in this space.
Key Takeaways
- KR102143660 covers specific anti-TNF-α antibody sequences, targeting biosimilar development.
- The patent scope includes variants with minimal amino acid modifications, focusing on sequence identity in variable regions.
- South Korea’s patent landscape for anti-TNF-α biologics is dense, with active filings from both originator and biosimilar companies.
- Original biologics have expiring patents from the early 2020s; biosimilar patents extend market exclusivity into the 2030s and 2040s.
- Patent enforcement remains strong, and design-around strategies are common among competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How broad are the claims in KR102143660?
They focus mainly on specific amino acid sequences of the variable regions of the anti-TNF-α antibody, including close variants. The claims are not broad enough to cover all potential biosimilars but protect antibodies with highly similar variable regions.
2. When is the patent expected to expire?
Assuming a standard 20-year term from the filing date in 2019, expiration should be around 2039. Extensions or supplementary protections could extend this period.
3. What is the main legal risk for biosimilar developers?
Potential infringement of claims covering specific sequences or manufacturing methods. Patent invalidation or licensing may be necessary to commercialize biosimilars legally.
4. How does this patent compare to global anti-TNF-α patents?
It shares common features with international patents protecting specific variable region sequences. Like global patents, it aims to prevent biosimilar entry that matches key antigen-binding regions.
5. Can companies design around KR102143660?
Yes, by developing antibodies with different variable region sequences outside the claimed sequences, or by altering manufacturing processes that do not fall within its scope.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office. (2022). Patent KR102143660. Retrieved from [KIPO database].
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2022). Patent landscape report on anti-TNF-α biologics. WIPO.
- Celltrion Inc. filings. (2019-2021). KR Patent applications and granted patents.
- Johnson & Johnson patents. (1998-2006). International patent filings and statuses.
- Samsung Bioepis. (2018-2020). Biosimilar patent filings in South Korea.
[Note: Actual patent database citations and status checks should be verified through official patent office resources.]
