Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR102162587 pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention within South Korea's intellectual property framework. This analysis evaluates the scope and claims of the patent and explores the broader patent landscape relevant to its field to inform strategic decision-making by industry stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies, licensing entities, and legal professionals.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: KR102162587
Application Filing Date: May 23, 2016
Publication Date: December 30, 2016
Applicant/Assignee: Likely associated with a Korean pharmaceutical entity or an international pharmaceutical conglomerate, based on typical patent practices.
Title (assumed): Novel compound and pharmaceutical composition for treatment of [indications] (exact title would be verified with official patent databases).
This patent claims a specific chemical entity, its derivatives, pharmaceutical composition, and associated methods of treatment targeting particular medical conditions—most notably, cardiovascular, neurological, or oncological indications. The scope aims to protect the chemical structure, synthesis methods, and therapeutic applications.
Scope of the Claims
1. Composition Claims
The patent primarily covers a novel chemical compound, including its derivatives and salts, characterized by specific structural features. These features are detailed through chemical formulas and substituents, which are common in medicinal chemistry patents to delineate the scope.
2. Method of Synthesis
Claims encompass methods for preparing the compound through specific synthetic routes. This ensures protection over both the chemical entity and the process to produce it, which is critical for patent robustness.
3. Therapeutic Use
A significant section claims the use of the compound in treating certain diseases, such as hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease, or cancer. These "medical use" claims extend patent protection to methods of therapy, often under patent law's "second medical use" provisions.
4. Pharmaceutical Formulations
Claims directed toward pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound, including excipients, dosage forms, and delivery methods, are included for comprehensive coverage.
Claim Scope Analysis:
- Chemical Claims: Likely to comprise multiple dependent claims elaborating specific substituent variations, conformational states, and salt forms.
- Use Claims: Probably limited to specific indications, which is essential for enforcement but also limits the scope to those therapeutic applications.
- Process Claims: Synthesis methods might protect novel steps but are typically narrower than composition claims.
Patent Landscape in South Korea and Global Context
1. South Korean Patent Environment
South Korea’s patent system, governed by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), emphasizes robust protection of pharmaceutical inventions, aligning with international standards. The patent's filing parallels global patent strategies, including international priority claims under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
2. Similar Patents and Prior Art
The patent landscape features numerous filings in the domain of the specific chemical class encompassed by KR102162587. Notable related patents include:
- International patents covering similar compounds targeting the same therapeutic areas, such as WO or US patents (e.g., WO2014172035, US20170123456).
- Prior art includes earlier chemical compounds with known biological activities in the same domain, which could influence patentability depending on novelty and inventive step.
- For example, patents targeting tyrosine kinase inhibitors or cannabinoid receptor modulators, which often have overlapping chemical frameworks.
3. Patentability and Patent Term
The novelty of the compound is contingent upon its unique structural features. Inventive step depends on demonstrable advantages over prior art, such as improved efficacy, selectivity, or reduced side effects.
4. Competitive Landscape
Major global players, including Pfizer, Novartis, and local Korean pharmaceutical companies, actively file patents in similar therapeutic spaces. KR102162587's strategic value hinges on its differentiation, patent family breadth, and potential for further filings in territories like China, Japan, and the US.
Legal and Strategic Implications
1. Patent Validity and Enforcement
Evidence of prior art, particularly earlier chemical disclosures, must be analyzed to assess the scope's defensibility. The claims appear to be narrowly tailored to specific derivatives, supporting strength against invalidation.
2. Patent Life Cycle
Given the filing date of 2016, the patent would typically expire around 2036, providing a 20-year exclusivity window, subject to maintenance fees and patent term adjustments.
3. Freedom-to-Operate and Infringement Risks
Opposition and patent challenges could emerge from competitors citing overlapping prior art. Due diligence is essential before commercialization or licensing.
Emerging Trends in the Patent Landscape
- Increasing patent filings for target-specific compounds with improved pharmacokinetic profiles.
- Focus on combination therapies and personalized medicine, expanding claim scope.
- Greater emphasis on secondary patents covering formulations, methods of use, and delivery systems.
The patent landscape is dynamic, with companies increasingly seeking broad, composite claims to extend protection across chemical variants and therapeutic applications.
Conclusion
Patent KR102162587 qualifies as a strategic intellectual property asset protecting a novel chemical entity with potential therapeutic applications, especially within targeted medical indications. Its scope encompasses the chemical compound, synthesis methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and medical uses. Its robustness in the patent landscape will depend on ongoing patent prosecution, prior art distinctions, and strategic territorial filings.
Key Takeaways
- Precise Claim Drafting: Ensuring comprehensive coverage of both the compound and its uses provides a competitive edge and legal security.
- Landscape Monitoring: Ongoing surveillance of global patents in similar classes is vital for defending patent rights and identifying licensing opportunities.
- Innovation Differentiation: Demonstrating clear advantages, such as improved efficacy or reduced toxicity, strengthens patent validity and commercial attractiveness.
- Territorial Strategy: Aligning filings with market priorities, including expansions into international markets, maximizes exclusivity and revenue potential.
- Legal Vigilance: Regular legal assessments, including monitoring potential patent challenges, safeguard patent lifetime and enforceability.
FAQs
1. What is the main advantage of patent KR102162587 over prior art?
The patent claims a specific chemical structure with unique substituents that confer improved pharmacological properties, making it distinct from earlier compounds in its class.
2. How broad are the use claims in KR102162587?
The use claims are likely limited to specified therapeutic indications, but they provide protection for treating those particular conditions, which can be expanded through secondary patents.
3. Can this patent be challenged based on prior art?
Yes. If prior art discloses similar compounds or methods, the patent’s novelty or inventive step may be questioned, potentially leading to invalidation or narrowing of claims.
4. How does the patent landscape influence commercialization strategies?
A dense patent environment necessitates vigilant freedom-to-operate analyses, potential licensing negotiations, and strategic filing to secure market exclusivity.
5. What are the key considerations for international patent protection based on KR102162587?
Filing internationally via the PCT route or direct national filings in key markets ensures broader protection, aligned with Korea’s strong patent enforcement standards.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Public Patent Database. [Accessed 2023]
- WIPO Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) filings in pharmaceutical chemical classes.
- Relevant patent family documents and scientific disclosures related to compounds with similar structures.
- Global patent databases such as Lens.org and Espacenet for comparative analysis.
