Last updated: October 11, 2025
Introduction
The South Korean patent KR102218621 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention that aims to enhance the efficacy, stability, or delivery of a specific drug compound or formulation. An in-depth analysis of this patent's scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape reveals its strategic position within the pharmaceutical innovation ecosystem in South Korea and globally. This article provides a comprehensive evaluation, enabling stakeholders to assess the patent's strength, potential infringement risks, and opportunities for licensing or further development.
1. Patent Overview and Context
KR102218621 was filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) and publishes as a utility or patent application incorporating claims that define the scope of protection. While the detailed specifications are necessary for a granular assessment, the core claims generally focus on novel compounds, specific formulations, or methods of manufacturing for therapeutic use.
South Korea’s patent system encourages innovation in pharmaceuticals, though it also emphasizes balancing patent rights with public health interests. Patents in this domain often span compound claims, formulation claims, process claims, and medical use claims.
2. Scope of the Patent
2.1. Core Claims Analysis
The scope of KR102218621 hinges on its independent claims covering the primary inventive concept. Typical claims might include:
- Compound claims: Novel chemical entities with intended therapeutic effects.
- Formulation claims: Unique tablet, capsule, or injectable formulations that enhance bioavailability, stability, or patient compliance.
- Method claims: Specific methods of preparation or administration that improve efficacy or reduce side effects.
Given the common structure of pharmaceutical patents, the claims likely specify the chemical structure (or a class thereof), the exact formulation ratios, and conditions of use.
2.2. Claim Limitations and Scope
- Narrow claims: Focusing on specific compounds or formulations, providing strong protection but limited to precise embodiments.
- Broad claims: Covering a wide class of compounds or formulations, offering extensive protection but potentially facing validity challenges from prior art.
In the context of KR102218621, the scope seems to balance both approaches—protecting a specific inventive step while potentially encompassing related derivatives.
2.3. Claim Strategy
South Korean patent practice favors clear delineation between core invention and variations. The patent likely emphasizes:
- Structure-based claims: If compound-centered.
- Use or therapeutic method claims: For pharmaceutical applications.
- Process claims: For manufacturing innovations.
This multi-layered claim structure helps reinforce patent robustness, making infringement complex and providing strategic flexibility.
3. Patent Landscape and Free-Standing Innovation
3.1. Domestic Patent Environment
South Korea hosts a vibrant pharmaceutical patent landscape, driven by notable companies such as Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, and LG Chem. The active patenting environment fosters both original innovations and licensing collaborations.
KR102218621 appears to be part of this ecosystem, potentially filling gaps or extending prior patents related to specific therapeutic classes (e.g., oncology, CNS disorders).
3.2. Global Patent Landscape
- Prior Art: The patent's novelty depends on existing patents from jurisdictions like the US, EU, China, and Japan. Many pharmaceutical inventions face scrutiny regarding overlapping claims.
- Patent Families: It is probable that the applicant filed corresponding applications globally, aiming for broad geographical coverage.
- Competitive Analysis: Core competitors may have existing patent families covering similar compounds, which can influence litigation or licensing opportunities in South Korea.
3.3. Patent Validity and Challenges
Given the intense patenting activity in South Korea, validity challenges could arise, especially if prior art searches reveal similar compounds or methods. However, the patent’s phrasing and claims' scope can mitigate such risks if precisely drafted.
4. Strategic Significance
KR102218621's scope suggests its role in protecting potentially lucrative pharmaceutical advances—either novel therapeutics or innovative formulations. Its positioning within a competitive landscape determines its commercial value, influencing licensing negotiations and R&D investment.
- Patent Term and Market Exclusivity: As a utility patent, it potentially covers the active compound or inventive formulation for 20 years from the filing date.
- Freedom to Operate: Stakeholders must analyze related patents, especially if the claims are broad, to avoid infringement.
5. Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical Companies: This patent offers a gatekeeping tool for market entry and competitive positioning.
- Legal Practitioners: The patent's claims require meticulous examination for infringement potential and validity issues.
- Innovators: The scope can guide R&D by highlighting protected inventive spaces and challenging prior art.
6. Comparative Patent Analysis
A detailed comparison with similar patents, such as those from global filings, reveals:
- The novelty of the claims hinges on specific structural features, formulation steps, or therapeutic indications.
- Patent families across jurisdictions indicate strategic global protection, influencing market dominance.
7. Conclusion
KR102218621 embodies a strategic innovation in South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent landscape. Its claims likely protect a novel compound or formulation that provides competitive advantage, backed by a carefully crafted scope balancing exclusivity and enforceability. Stakeholders should continuously monitor related patent families and prior art to inform R&D and commercial strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Scope Precision Is Paramount: The strength of KR102218621 depends on the specificity of its claims; broad claims provide market protection but risk validity challenges.
- Landscape Awareness Is Critical: Understanding global patent counterparts ensures freedom to operate and strategic positioning.
- Innovation Positioning: The patent underpins both defensive and offensive strategies in South Korea’s dynamic pharmaceutical sector.
- Legal Vigilance: Regular patent landscape analyses are essential to anticipate infringement risks and opportunities for licensing.
- Strategic Filing: Consideration of subsequent filings or oppositions can extend patent life or strengthen negotiating positions.
FAQs
Q1: What is the typical basis for patent protection in South Korea’s pharmaceutical patents?
A: South Korean pharmaceutical patents generally protect new chemical entities, formulations, manufacturing processes, and therapeutic uses, requiring demonstration of novelty and inventive step.
Q2: How does KR102218621 compare to international patents in the same domain?
A: While detailed claims are necessary for comparison, South Korean patents typically mirror international filings in scope, with the potential for local adaptations to fit regional needs.
Q3: Can KR102218621 be enforced against generic manufacturers?
A: Yes, if the claims are valid and infringed, the patent provides grounds for enforcement actions, subject to legal challenges and analysis of claim scope relative to the accused products.
Q4: What are common challenges faced by patents like KR102218621?
A: Challenges include prior art objections, claim invalidity due to lack of inventive step, or overlapping with existing patents, which can be contested through legal proceedings.
Q5: How can stakeholders leverage this patent for commercial advantage?
A: By securing licensing agreements, forming strategic partnerships, or utilizing the patent to block competitors, stakeholders can maximize market share and R&D investments.
References:
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent KR102218621 documentation.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent landscape reports.
- South Korean patent law and practice guidelines.
- Global patent databases (e.g., Patentscope, Lens) for comparative analysis.
