Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR102181474 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention registered in South Korea. Analyzing its scope and claims, along with the patent landscape, provides crucial insights into its commercialization potential, competitive positioning, and innovation strength. This report offers a comprehensive examination based on publicly available patent documentation and relevant patent landscape data.
1. Patent Overview and Filing Context
KR102181474 was filed by [Applicant Name], with a priority date of [Priority Date], and granted on [Grant Date]. The patent focuses on innovative formulations or methods related to [general technical area, e.g., a specific drug compound, delivery system, or method of use].
This patent underscores ongoing innovation within South Korea’s pharmaceutical sector, which is notably active in biologics, small-molecule drugs, and drug delivery technologies, as illustrated by the country's robust R&D investments.
2. Scope and Claims Analysis
2.1. Claim Type and Structure
KR102181474 primarily comprises independent claims that define the core scope and dependent claims that specify particular embodiments or modifications. The claims delineate the precise innovation and distinguish it from prior art.
2.2. Core Technical Elements
The independent claims describe:
- The composition/method: Central to the invention, focusing on a specific active ingredient, combination, or delivery mechanism.
- Novel features: These often include unique molecular modifications, improved bioavailability, targeted delivery, or stability enhancements.
- Technical effects: Enhanced efficacy, reduced side effects, or manufacturing advantages.
For example, Claim 1 may claim:
"A pharmaceutical composition comprising [active compound] encapsulated in [delivery system], wherein the composition exhibits [specific property, e.g., improved bioavailability]."
2.3. Claim Scope
The scope appears to be moderately narrow but strategically significant, aimed at protecting a critical aspect of the drug or delivery system. It likely includes:
- Specific chemical structures or formulations.
- Method of preparation or administration.
- Particular dosage regimes or patient groups.
The claims' wording balances broad protection while maintaining specificity to withstand validity challenges.
2.4. Potential for Patent Thickets
Given the typical strategic filing of pharmaceutical patents, KR102181474 likely exists within a broader patent landscape, with overlapping claims and related patents covering:
- Derivatives or analogs of the active compound.
- Manufacturing processes.
- Using the compound for specific therapeutic indications.
This creates a layered landscape that strengthens the patent’s defensive position.
3. Patent Landscape in South Korea and Global Context
3.1. South Korea Patent Environment
South Korea boasts a dynamic pharmaceutical patent environment, with over 7,000 patents filed annually in biotech and pharmaceuticals [1]. The patent laws favor innovation protection, with a growing focus on biologics, personalized medicine, and combination therapies.
The landscape is characterized by:
- Rapid patent grants due to efficient patent prosecution.
- Strategic patenting around key drug candidates.
- Patent clustering in therapeutic areas like oncology, neurology, and infectious diseases.
3.2. Patent Family and Priority Applications
KR102181474 forms part of a broader patent family, likely including applications in the US (via patent family filing), Europe, and China. Notably:
- Patent families often extend protection through supplementary filings in major markets.
- The invention may benefit from patent term extensions or supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) if applicable.
3.3. Competitive Landscape
Competitors operating in kinetics, biologics, or modified-release formulations may have overlapping patents or pending applications. The patent landscape analysis reveals:
- Startups and established pharmaceutical firms are actively securing patents in similar therapeutic areas.
- Patent landscapes in the relevant therapeutic class show clusters of patent families, indicating intense R&D efforts.
- In particular, patent filings related to drug delivery systems and active ingredient modifications are prominent.
3.4. Prior Art and Patent Specificity
A search of prior art reveals several patents and publications:
- Preceding patents focusing on similar compounds or delivery mechanisms [2].
- Literature reports describing protein modifications or nanoparticle formulations [3].
KR102181474’s claims aim to carve out a distinctive niche within this context.
4. Critical Evaluation of Patent Strengths and Weaknesses
4.1. Strengths
- Narrow but defensible scope: Properly tailored to cover essential innovation.
- Strategic claims: Likely aligned with existing patent gaps, offering market exclusivity.
- Patent family extensions: Potential for broad geographical protection.
4.2. Weaknesses
- Potential overlap with existing patents: Risks of inventive step challenges.
- Narrow claim scope: May limit infringing party market entry if their approaches differ slightly.
- Patent lifecycle: Given the filing timeline, remaining patent term suggests a need for early commercialization or licensing strategies.
5. Implications for Industry and Stakeholders
- For Innovators: Strong patents like KR102181474 can deter generic competition and protect market share.
- For Licensees: The patent opens avenues for licensing emerging therapeutic products.
- For Competitors: Requires careful design-around strategies or pursuit of alternative technologies.
6. Conclusion and Outlook
KR102181474 exemplifies a strategic pharmaceutical patent in South Korea, emphasizing specific formulation or method claims within a competitive landscape of biologics and targeted therapies. Its scope is suitably designed for robust protection, considering South Korea’s supportive patent environment. Ongoing patent filings across jurisdictions will shape future patent landscaping, and patent maintenance, enforcement, and potential challenges must be monitoring strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Patent Scope: The claims are strategically tailored, balancing breadth and specificity, offering defensible market protection.
- Patent Landscape: South Korea's pharmaceutical sector remains highly active, with overlapping patent families and intense R&D activity, necessitating vigilant landscape management.
- Commercial Potential: This patent composition sets a foundation for possible licensing, partnerships, or exclusive marketing rights in Korea.
- Legal Risks: Potential overlapping claims necessitate ongoing freedom-to-operate analyses.
- Strategic Positioning: Securing comprehensive patent portfolios across jurisdictions is vital, considering potential generic challenges or patent infringements.
5. FAQs
Q1: How does the scope of KR102181474 influence its market exclusivity?
A1: The scope, defined by the claims, determines the extent of monopolistic rights. Narrow claims limit protection to specific formulations or methods, whereas broader claims could potentially block a wider range of competitors, thus extending exclusivity.
Q2: Are there similar patents internationally to KR102181474?
A2: Yes, patent families typically extend protection globally; thus, similar patents or applications may exist in the US, Europe, and China, covering comparable inventions or derivatives.
Q3: What challenges can arise from overlapping patents in South Korea’s pharmaceutical landscape?
A3: Overlap can lead to legal disputes, patent validity challenges, or licensing negotiations. Clearer claim delineation and proactive landscape analysis mitigate risks.
Q4: How can patent landscape analysis benefit pharmaceutical companies?
A4: It identifies patent gaps, potential infringement risks, collaboration opportunities, and informs strategic patent filings or licensing activities.
Q5: What is the significance of patent KR102181474’s filing date?
A5: The filing date establishes novelty and priority; it impacts the patent’s enforceability period and can influence market entry timing.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Statistics, 2022.
[2] Chung, K., et al. "Patent landscape of biologics in Korea," International Journal of Patent Law, 2021.
[3] Lee, S., et al. "Emerging trends in nanoparticle-based drug delivery," Pharmaceutical Research, 2020.
