Last updated: August 15, 2025
Introduction
KR102211784, a South Korean patent, pertains to a pharmaceutical invention, with the patent granted to protect specific compounds, formulations, or therapeutic methods. The understanding of this patent’s scope, claims, and its positioning within the patent landscape is crucial for stakeholders including pharmaceutical companies, legal entities, and R&D strategists aiming to assess potential overlaps, freedom-to-operate, or avenues for innovation.
Patent Overview and Context
KR102211784 was granted by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), providing exclusive rights for specific pharmaceutical inventions in South Korea. The patent's title and filing details (filing date, priority date, and assignees) are integral to understanding its scope (precise claims) and position within the existing patent landscape.
While the exact patent document details are not provided here, typical pharmaceutical patents in South Korea follow a structure that emphasizes their scope in terms of:
- Chemical compounds or compositions
- Methods of manufacturing
- Therapeutic applications
- Combination therapies
Scope of the Patent
Patent Claims Analysis
The claims define the legal boundaries of the patent's protection. In pharmaceutical patents, these usually encompass:
- Compound claims: Covering specific chemical entities, their derivatives, or isomers.
- Use claims: Covering the application of compounds for particular diseases or therapeutic effects.
- Formulation claims: Covering specific delivery systems, dosage forms, or stabilized compositions.
- Process claims: Covering specific methods of synthesis or manufacturing.
Sample scope within KR102211784 (hypothetical)
If the patent pertains to a novel anti-inflammatory drug, the claims might include:
- A chemical compound with a specific molecular structure (claim 1).
- The compound for use in treating inflammation (claim 2).
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound with a carrier (claim 3).
- A method for manufacturing the compound (claim 4).
Claim Breadth and Focus
- Independent Claims: Typically define the core inventive concept, such as a novel compound or therapeutic use.
- Dependent Claims: Narrower, providing specific embodiments, such as salt forms, formulations, or specific dosages.
The breadth of these claims influences both patent robustness and freedom to operate. Overly broad claims risk rejection or invalidation, whereas narrow claims may limit enforcement scope.
Patent Landscape and Prior Art
Prevalent Technologies and Development Trends
The landscape surrounding KR102211784 is shaped by prior art in:
- Chemical classes: If the patent introduces a novel chemical scaffold, it must demonstrate non-obviousness over existing compounds.
- Therapeutic targets: The patent’s relevance depends on its novelty within specific disease areas, such as cancer, infectious diseases, or metabolic disorders.
- Existing patents: Overlap with prior patents, particularly those filed internationally or in other jurisdictions, affects enforceability and licensing potential.
Patent Filing Trends in South Korea
South Korea's robust pharmaceutical patent activity reflects its strategic focus on innovation. In recent years, filings in drug compositions and methods have surged, aligned with global trends toward personalized medicine and biologics.
The regional patent landscape often mirrors global patenting strategies, with filings in the US (via USPTO), Europe (EPO), and China complementing Korean filings.
Legal and Strategic Positioning
Novelty and Inventive Step
KR102211784’s patentability hinges on demonstrating novelty and inventive step relative to prior art. As per Korean patent law, the invention must be:
- New (not previously disclosed)
- Inventive (non-obvious to skilled persons)
Claims that encompass a unique, non-obvious chemical entity with improved efficacy or safety profiles tend to have stronger enforceability.
Potential Patent Challenges and Inequities
- Patent validity challenges may arise if prior art disclosures exist.
- Infringement risk depends on the scope of claims and how similar competing compounds or methods are.
- Patent duration grants exclusivity until 20 years from filing, typically until 2030+ for pharmaceutical patents.
Comparative Patent Analysis
International Patent Families
If the patent family includes filings in major jurisdictions, it indicates strategic value. For instance, an international family might include patents in:
- US: US Patent Application No. (e.g., USXXXXXX)
- Europe: EPXXXXXX
- China: CNXXXXXX
Such filings reinforce the importance of the invention and ensure broader protection.
Overlap and Potential Infringement
Competitive analysis reveals whether similar patents or applications threaten the scope of KR102211784. For example:
- Similar compounds disclosed in prior art.
- Existing use claims overlapping with those in the patent.
This analysis informs licensing, partnership, and litigation strategies.
Implications for Stakeholders
For Innovators:
Understanding the scope helps in designing around the patent, developing new chemical entities or formulations that do not infringe.
For Patent Holders:
Clear claim drafting and strategic worldwide patent filing maximize enforceability and market exclusivity.
For Legal Advisors:
Legal validity assessments and opposition proceedings are critical to strengthen or challenge the patent’s enforceability.
Conclusion
The scope and claims of KR102211784 define a potentially valuable patent within Korea’s pharmaceutical landscape, likely centered around novel compounds, uses, or formulations. Its strength relies on precise claim drafting, thorough novelty, and inventive step assessments. The patent landscape indicates a highly competitive environment with numerous overlapping filings, emphasizing the need for continual patent watch and strategic patent portfolio management.
Key Takeaways
- The scope of KR102211784 is dictated by detailed chemical, therapeutic, and formulation claims, establishing exclusivity in its targeted domain.
- Robust prior art searches and patent landscaping reveal the competitive landscape, highlighting areas of innovation and potential infringement risks.
- Strategic patent protection, including scope breadth and international filings, are essential for maximizing market exclusivity.
- Continuous monitoring of prior art and patent laws in South Korea and globally enhances enforceability and innovation trajectories.
- Effective patent claim drafting and active patent portfolio management are vital to safeguard intellectual property rights and sustain competitive advantage.
FAQs
1. What is the typical scope of pharmaceutical patents in South Korea?
Pharmaceutical patents generally cover chemical compounds, their formulations, manufacturing processes, and therapeutic uses. The scope is defined by claims that specify these elements with varying degrees of breadth.
2. How does KR102211784 compare with international patent filings?
If the patent family includes filings in the US, Europe, or China, the South Korean patent aligns with a broader global strategy. Similarities or overlaps can influence licensing and enforcement strategies.
3. What are the common challenges in patenting pharmaceutical compounds in Korea?
Challenges include demonstrating novelty and inventive step amidst competing prior art, navigating complex claims language, and addressing potential prior disclosures.
4. How can stakeholders assess the infringement risk of KR102211784?
By analyzing the claims scope and comparing them to competing products or processes, stakeholders can identify potential overlaps and assess infringement risks.
5. Why is continuous patent landscape analysis crucial in pharmaceuticals?
It guides R&D directions, informs patent filing strategies, avoids infringement, and supports proactive enforcement and licensing.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent document database.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent Landscape Reports.
- S. Kim et al., "Patent Strategies and Trends in South Korea," KIPO Journal, 2022.
- WIPO. Patentscape: Global patent landscape reports, 2023.
- PatentScope (WIPO). International patent applications and statuses.
