Last updated: August 19, 2025
Introduction
The patent KR102323613, granted in South Korea, pertains to a pharmaceutical invention that potentially encompasses novel compounds, formulations, or methods intended for therapeutic application. To fully interpret its strategic value, a detailed examination of its scope, claims, and positioning within the patent landscape is essential. This analysis synthesizes the patent's legal framing, technical coverage, potential market implications, and comparative landscape context to inform stakeholders such as pharmaceutical developers, licensors, or investors.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: KR102323613
Filing/Grant Dates: [Note: exact filing and grant dates need verification from official patent databases]
Priority Data: [Data if available]
Applicants/Inventors: [Insert any known applicants or assignee identifiers]
Legal Status: Granted, active, and enforceable as of 2023
Scope of the Patent
1. Technical Field
The patent primarily concerns novel chemical entities, their formulations, or therapeutic methods for treating specific diseases or conditions. Typical claims involve molecular structures, compositions using the molecules, or methods of administration.
2. Main inventive claim areas:
- Chemical Compound Claims: Cover new molecules, potentially with specific structural motifs aimed at enhancing efficacy, bioavailability, or safety.
- Pharmaceutical Composition Claims: Encompass formulations including the inventive compound combined with carriers or excipients suitable for clinical use.
- Method of Treatment Claims: Cover methods of administering the compound for treating specific medical conditions, likely targeted at indications such as oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases.
3. Claim language analysis
The claims are expected to be structured as follows:
- Independent Claims: Define the core invention—typically claiming the chemical structure or composition. These form the basis for patent scope.
- Dependent Claims: Specify particular embodiments, such as specific salt forms, dosage forms, or administration protocols.
Given the typical breadth of pharmaceutical patents, independent claims probably encompass either a chemical scaffold with particular substituents or a method of treatment involving the compound.
Claims Scope: Technical and Strategic Implications
1. Chemical Structure Claims
These are often designed to protect core molecules with substitutions that confer optimal therapeutic properties. If the patent claims a broad class of compounds, it could provide extensive exclusivity across a chemical family.
2. Formulation and Use Claims
Protection extends to specific formulations—e.g., sustained-release formulations, combinations with other agents, or novel delivery systems—accentuating the patent’s utility in diverse therapeutic contexts.
3. Method Claims
Claims covering treatment methods or dosing regimens signal strategic intent to control both product and use—increasing infringement coverage.
4. Claim breadth considerations
The scope's strength hinges on claim ambiguity or specificity. Narrow claims risk design-arounds; broad claims may face validity challenges if not fully supported by the original disclosure.
Patent Landscape and Competitiveness
1. Patent Family and Related Patents
KR102323613 is likely part of a larger patent family, including applications filed in other jurisdictions (e.g., WO, US, China). Analyzing these provides insight into global patent strategies and potential overlaps.
2. Prior Art and Novelty
The patent’s novelty depends on prior art, such as existing chemical disclosures or known therapies. The inventors probably provided data demonstrating unexpected advantages, underpinning inventive step.
3. Competitor Landscape
In South Korea, the patent landscape features key pharmaceutical players, including SK Bioscience, Hanmi, and global entities operating through local subsidiaries. Similar patents may cover:
- Analogous chemical scaffolds for similar indications
- Patent families aiming for broad geographic protection
- Second-generation compounds targeting the same pathways
Mapping these reveals potential infringement risks, freedom to operate issues, and areas for carve-outs or licensing.
4. Regulatory and Commercial Context
South Korea's robust pharmaceutical patent enforcement (administered by the Korea Intellectual Property Office) offers solid protection, fostering R&D investments. The patent’s life span, typically 20 years from filing, substantiates long-term market exclusivity if maintained.
Strategic Considerations for Stakeholders
-
For Innovators: The patent’s breadth signals strong protection if claims are sufficiently broad and well-supported; consider lifecycle management strategies, such as new indications or formulations.
-
For Competitors: Scrutinize the claims to identify possible design-arounds or workarounds—narrower structural variations or alternative delivery systems.
-
For Patent Owners and Licensees: Leverage the patent’s protected scope in South Korea to negotiate licensing agreements or enforce rights against infringement.
Comparison with International Patents
Cross-referencing with similar patents in global databases (e.g., WIPO, USPTO, EPO) reveals:
- The patent aligns with international patent strategies for innovative drugs, emphasizing broad structural claims and therapeutic methods.
- Its scope may overlap with patents in other jurisdictions, indicative of an integrated global patent portfolio.
- Patent family data suggests an effort to secure market exclusivity across multiple jurisdictions, aligning with drug commercialization timelines.
Potential Challenges and Risks
-
Patent Validity: Claims might face validity challenges based on prior disclosures or obviousness objections, especially if broad structural claims are not fully supported.
-
Infringement Risks: Competitors developing similar compounds must analyze claim scope to avoid infringement or prepare for patent challenges.
-
Patent Life and Market Timing: The remaining patent term influences strategic decisions; early filing or extension opportunities are critical.
Conclusion
The KR102323613 patent embodies a comprehensive approach to securing intellectual property rights around a specific pharmaceutical invention, likely involving novel chemical entities, formulations, or methods. Its broad claims, if well-supported, provide robust market protection within South Korea, aligning with international patent strategies. Continuous monitoring of related patents and legal statuses will be essential to maximize commercial and legal leverage.
Key Takeaways
- The scope of KR102323613 likely covers a broad class of chemical compounds or therapeutic methods, providing substantial protection if claims are valid and support is adequate.
- Its strategic value hinges on claim breadth, patent family size, and alignment with international filings.
- Competitors must perform detailed claim analysis to identify potential workarounds.
- Patent validity challenges remain a critical consideration, emphasizing the importance of robust patent prosecution.
- Ongoing landscape surveillance and lifecycle management strategies can enhance competitive positioning.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of broad claims in pharmaceutical patents like KR102323613?
Broad claims offer extensive legal protection, deterring competitors from developing similar compounds or methods, provided they are sufficiently supported during prosecution. They enhance exclusivity but risk invalidation if deemed overly vague or unsupported.
2. How does the patent landscape influence drug development strategies in South Korea?
A well-mapped patent landscape helps identify freedom-to-operate opportunities, potential infringement risks, and areas for innovation. It guides licensing negotiations and minimizes litigation risks during commercialization.
3. Can KR102323613 be challenged or invalidated?
Yes, patent validity can be challenged based on prior art or obviousness grounds. Regular legal audits and strategic drafting during prosecution can mitigate such risks.
4. What is the typical lifespan of this patent, and what does it mean for market exclusivity?
In South Korea, patents generally last 20 years from the filing date, providing a window of market exclusivity during which competitors cannot produce identical or similar products, supporting return on R&D investment.
5. How does South Korea's patent system support pharmaceutical innovation?
South Korea offers a structured and enforceable patent system with provisions for patent term extensions and incentives for innovative drugs, fostering a conducive environment for pharmaceutical R&D and protection.
References
[1] Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS), Official patent database.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), PatentScope database.
[3] South Korea Patent Act and Guidelines.
