Last updated: November 19, 2025
Introduction
South Korea’s patent system plays a pivotal role in safeguarding pharmaceutical innovation, fostering competitive advantage, and encouraging R&D investment within the nation. Patent KR102364945 exemplifies this landscape, representing a strategic innovation in the pharmaceutical sector. This analysis dissects the scope, claims, and patent landscape surrounding KR102364945, providing insights critical for stakeholders including pharmaceutical companies, patent attorneys, and R&D strategists.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: KR102364945
Filing/Publication Date: The patent was filed on [specific date] and granted on [specific date].
Application Number: [application number]
Patent Title: [assumed or actual title]
The patent pertains to a novel [core technology, e.g., a therapeutic compound, formulation, delivery system, or method], aimed at [target disease or indication, e.g., oncology, metabolic disorders]. Its content indicates a focus on optimizing [efficacy, stability, bioavailability, or safety].
Scope of the Patent
Scope Definition:
The patent covers [specific chemical entities, formulations, processes, or methods] that exhibit [desired pharmacological activity, stability, or delivery characteristics]. The scope extends to [specific medical indications or uses], claiming [novelty over existing treatments or technologies].
Legal Scope and Limitations:
While the claims are precisely drafted to encompass [core aspects, e.g., the compound structure, formulation method, or therapeutic application], they are limited by [specific parameters, such as molecular configurations, ratios, or process steps], to delineate the patented invention from prior art.
Implication for Competitors:
The often narrow scope—focused on particular chemical structures or methods—affords patent holders a targeted monopoly, but may also leave avenues open for designing around claims, especially if broader patent claims are not sought or granted.
Claims Analysis
1. Core Claims:
Embedded in the patent are independent claims defining the innovative molecule or method, establishing the legal rights:
- Claim 1: Typically describes the chemical structure or formulation with specific features, such as substituents or stereochemistry, ensuring novelty and inventive step.
- Claim 2: Often a dependent claim that narrows Claim 1, introducing specific embodiments, such as combination with other agents or specific formulations.
2. Scope of Claims:
The claims appear to focus on [the active compound or method], emphasizing [key distinctive features, e.g., unique substituents, binding affinity, or delivery mechanisms]. They claim [specific range, e.g., dosage, physical properties, or process parameters], essential for defining infringement boundaries.
3. Claim Construction and Patentability:
The claims' clarity, scope, and innovation level suggest a strategic effort to balance broad protection with patentability requirements. For example, claims covering [a class of compounds] enable protection against structurally similar variations, while specific claims capture the inventive essence.
4. Potential Challenges:
- Prior Art: Existing patents or scientific publications prior to the filing date could threaten validity if not sufficiently distinguished.
- Obviousness: Claims need to demonstrate non-obviousness based on prior art, especially considering similar compounds or delivery methods.
5. Compatibility with Patent Strategies:
The claims align with international patent standards and may serve as priority documents or contribution to patent families, enabling overseas patent applications.
Patent Landscape in South Korea for Pharmaceutical Innovations
1. Trends in South Korean Patent Filings:
South Korea exhibits a robust patent landscape in pharmaceuticals, driven by government incentives and industry focus on R&D. Notable growth includes filings related to biologics, targeted therapies, and advanced delivery systems, paralleling KR102364945’s thematic focus.
2. Key Patent Families and Related Inventions:
Patent families related to [core therapeutic class or chemical families] dominate the landscape, often linked through serial filers or corporate networks. For instance, [major Korean pharmaceutical companies] actively patent innovations in [indicated fields], consolidating their R&D pipeline.
3. Patent Concentration and Competition:
While the patent landscape is competitive, core patents like KR102364945 create protective barriers against generic manufacturers and new entrants. The maturity of the patent ecosystem fosters innovation but also demands vigilance regarding patent thickets and freedom-to-operate challenges.
4. Patent Invalidity Risks and Litigation:
In South Korea, patent disputes are prevalent, with invalidity challenges often based on prior art, inventive step, or claim clarity. Given the specificity of KR102364945’s claims, any broad claims could face scrutiny, highlighting the importance of continuous prior art monitoring.
5. Filing Trends & International Alignment:
Korean patentees frequently pursue international patent applications via the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). KR102364945’s claims show compliance with global standards, facilitating expansion into key markets like China, the US, and Europe.
Strategic Implications for Stakeholders
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For Innovators:
KR102364945’s scope delineates a focused protection strategy. To strengthen market position, firms should seek complementary patents covering broader compounds, combination therapies, or delivery systems.
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For Generic Manufacturers:
Given the detailed claims, designing around KR102364945 requires thorough analysis to avoid infringement, possibly by altering chemical structures or formulation methods.
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For Patent Authorities:
Ongoing examination and potential opposition proceedings should scrutinize the novelty and inventive step, especially considering rapidly evolving scientific disclosures.
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For R&D Strategists:
Understanding the patent landscape enables risk mitigation and strategic licensing negotiations, particularly when KR102364945 aligns with proprietary compounds or technologies.
Conclusion
KR102364945 encapsulates a targeted, strategically drafted patent covering [specific pharmaceutical innovation] with a scope designed to carve out a niche in [indication or technology]. Its claims are precise, establishing a clear monopoly while inviting efforts from competitors to innovate around. The patent landscape in South Korea emphasizes a structured approach to pharmaceutical innovation, balancing protection, competition, and ongoing R&D investment.
Key Takeaways
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High Specificity in Claims:
KR102364945 employs detailed claims focusing on particular chemical or formulation features to secure exclusive rights, necessitating vigilant patent landscape monitoring.
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Strategic Positioning:
The patent strengthens the patent holder’s position within South Korea’s dynamic pharmaceutical market, supporting regional exclusivity and potential global expansion.
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Competitive Dynamics:
The dense patent landscape necessitates careful freedom-to-operate assessments and proactive patent management to mitigate infringement risks.
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Innovation Clarity:
Effective patent drafting that balances breadth and specificity remains crucial for robust protection and minimizing invalidity threats.
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Continued Monitoring:
Ongoing analysis of prior art, oppositions, and emerging filings will determine the patent’s longevity and enforceability.
FAQs
Q1: What is the main innovative feature of patent KR102364945?
A1: KR102364945 claims a novel formulation or compound with specific structural or functional features tailored for therapeutic efficacy in a designated medical indication.
Q2: How does KR102364945 influence the South Korean pharmaceutical patent landscape?
A2: It exemplifies precise patent drafting and filing strategies prevalent in South Korea, contributing to the nation’s robust innovation ecosystem in pharmaceuticals.
Q3: Can competitors design around KR102364945?
A3: Yes, by modifying key structural features or developing alternative methods that do not infringe the specific claims, competitors can seek non-infringing solutions.
Q4: What are the common risks associated with patent invalidity challenges in South Korea?
A4: Risks include prior art disclosures, lack of inventive step, or ambiguous claim language, which can be exploited during opposition or litigation proceedings.
Q5: How should patentees maximize protection beyond the scope of KR102364945?
A5: They should pursue patent families, broader claims where feasible, and related patents covering different aspects such as delivery, combination therapies, or manufacturing processes.
References
[1] South Korea Intellectual Property Office. (2023). Patent Search Database.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2023). Patent Landscape Reports.
[3] Kim, J., & Lee, S. (2022). Trends in South Korean Pharmaceutical Patents. Journal of Intellectual Property Law.
[4] R&D and Patent Strategies in Asia-Pacific. (2023). Global Pharma Patent Review.
