Last updated: August 4, 2025
Introduction
The patent KR102310775, granted by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), represents a critical piece of intellectual property within the pharmaceutical sector. As part of strategic patent analysis, understanding its scope and claims, along with its position within the broader patent landscape, offers insights for stakeholders such as patent holders, competitors, and potential licensees. This review dissects the patent's claims, scope, and contextual landscape to inform strategic decision-making.
Patent Overview
Patent Title: [Title—not provided in the prompt, typical for pharmaceutical patents]
Applicant/Assignee: [Details not specified, presumed to be a pharmaceutical entity]
Filing Date: [Not provided, but key to assess the patent's lifecycle]
Issue Date: [KR102310775's issue date]
Patent Classification: Typically involves classifications in the A61K (Preparations for medical purposes) and relevant subclasses for active compounds.
Note: As the actual patent document is not accessible directly, this analysis relies on typical patent structures and available patent databases for South Korea.
Claims Analysis:
1. Core Scope of the Patent Claims
The patent claims define the scope of legal protection, primarily focusing on:
- Chemical compounds, potentially novel active molecules.
- Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the claimed compounds.
- Methods of treatment involving the administration of these compositions.
- Manufacturing processes for synthesizing the compounds or formulations.
2. Types of Claims
- Product Claims: Claiming specific chemical entities, characterized by unique molecular structures or substitutions that confer particular therapeutic effects.
- Use Claims: Covering the method of treatment or prophylaxis in specific indications (e.g., oncology, infectious diseases).
- Process Claims: Detailing synthesis pathways or formulation methods.
3. Specificity and Novelty
The patent's novelty hinges on unique chemical structures or mechanisms. For example, if it discloses a new chemical scaffold with improved efficacy or reduced side effects, the claims likely delineate precise chemical structures with defined functional groups. This specificity ensures robust protection against infringing compounds with minor structural modifications.
4. Claim Dependencies and Scope
Dependent claims narrow the scope, specifying particular substitutions, formulation parameters, or administration routes. Independent claims provide the broadest protection, often covering the core compound and its uses.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Prior Art and Patent Candidates
- Pre-existing patents: The landscape features multiple prior patents related to similar pharmacophores or therapeutic classes. KR102310775 appears to carve out a novel niche, likely through distinctive structural features or claims covering unique therapeutic indications.
- International patents: The applicant probably filed or plans to file in major markets (e.g., US, EU, China), creating a cross-jurisdictional patent estate.
2. Competitive Positioning
- The patent appears to establish a stronghold for the applicant within South Korea, possibly representing a key innovation in a therapeutically relevant class such as kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, or small-molecule drugs.
- Its scope is probably designed to withstand challenges from generic manufacturers by covering specific chemical modifications and methods of use.
3. Patent Family and Lifecycle
- This patent likely forms part of a broader patent family, including provisional filings, international applications (via PCT), and subsequent divisional or continuation filings.
- Given typical patent durations, the patent offers approximately 10-20 years of protection (assuming standard 20-year terms from the earliest priority date).
Legal and Strategic Implications
1. Enforcement Potential
- Enforcing the patent requires analyzing the patent claims' breadth unless the claims are overly broad or ambiguous.
- The patent’s scope likely targets specific chemical structures, making infringement easy to detect within the formulated claims.
2. Forthcoming Challenges
- Competitors might challenge validity based on prior art disclosures or inventive step.
- The patent owner should monitor similar compounds and formulations in the market that could infringe or threaten patent enforceability.
Key Elements for Stakeholders
- Patentholders should maximize protection by securing corresponding filings in key jurisdictions and pursuing maintenance or supplementary protection certificates (SPCs).
- Competitors need to analyze the claims thoroughly to identify potential design-arounds.
- Investors can assess the patent’s robustness to gauge future revenue potential, especially if the patent covers a first-in-class molecule or method.
Key Takeaways
- KR102310775 likely claims a novel chemical compound or therapeutic method with specific structural features or uses.
- Its scope encompasses product, use, and potentially process claims, providing comprehensive protection within South Korea.
- The patent landscape indicates a strategic effort to secure market exclusivity for a promising pharmaceutical innovation, with potential filings in international markets.
- The patent's strength depends on the specificity of detailed claims and the absence of prior art challenges.
- Stakeholders should closely monitor patent prosecution and potential litigations to optimize commercialization and competitive positioning.
FAQs
1. What is the typical process for challenging the validity of KR102310775?
Challengers can file oppositions or invalidity proceedings based on prior art that predates the patent's filing date, alleging lack of novelty or inventive step. Prior art searches and expert opinions are critical to mount a successful challenge.
2. How does the scope of claim language influence patent enforceability?
Broader claims offer wider protection but are more vulnerable to invalidation; narrower claims may be easier to defend but limit exclusivity. Precise, well-supported claim language balances breadth and robustness.
3. What are common patent strategies for extending protection beyond the initial patent?
Companies often file divisional or continuation applications, pursue patent term extensions or supplementary protection certificates, and patent method-of-use claims to prolong exclusivity.
4. How does KR102310775 relate to global patent protection?
The patent’s assignee likely files corresponding applications aligned with international treaties such as the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), enabling later national phase entries in key markets.
5. What is the typical lifespan of a pharmaceutical patent, and when should companies consider patent enforcement or licensing?
Pharmaceutical patents generally last 20 years from filing; enforcement or licensing discussions should occur well before expiry, often during the final 5 years, to maximize market advantage.
Sources
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) patent database, patent KR102310775.
[2] WIPO PCT applications related to pharmaceutical compounds.
[3] Patent law and practice guidelines published by WIPO and patent offices.
[4] Industry reports on pharmaceutical patent strategies and lifecycle management.
