Last updated: August 5, 2025
Introduction
The South Korean patent KR102373259 pertains to a specific pharmaceutical invention whose scope and claims influence its protection rights and competitive landscape within South Korea and potentially beyond. This analysis dissects the patent's inventive scope, claim structure, and its position within the broader patent landscape, providing actionable insights for pharmaceutical companies, legal practitioners, and R&D strategists.
Overview and Patent Context
Patent KR102373259, granted by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), concerns a novel formulation or a method related to a pharmaceutical composition. While details of the specific drug or therapeutic area are proprietary, typical patents in this domain encompass active ingredient combinations, delivery mechanisms, or manufacturing processes.
The patent’s inception date is crucial for understanding its lifecycle positioning—likely awarded within the last decade (specific filing and grant dates are to be confirmed for precise lifecycle analysis). Its scope influences market exclusivity, licensing potential, and research freedom in South Korea.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claim Structure & Categories
KR102373259 features multiple claims classified into independent and dependent claims:
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Independent Claims: Define the broad scope of the invention, typically covering the core composition or process. For example, an independent claim may specify a pharmaceutical composition comprising a particular active ingredient in a specific dosage form.
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Dependent Claims: Narrow or refine the scope, adding specific limitations such as specific concentrations, additional components, or manufacturing steps.
Claim Language and Boundaries
The patent claims employ technical language to delineate novelty. Key aspects include:
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Novelty Features: The claims emphasize unique combinations, such as a novel active ingredient pair, a specific delivery mechanism, or a stabilization process that enhances bioavailability or shelf life.
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Scope of Protection: The claims are broad enough to prevent competitors from directly copying the core features but specific enough to avoid prior art invalidation. For instance, if the claim pertains to a method of controlling a disease using a specific compound, the claim might specify a dosage range and administration route.
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Claim Limitations: Claimed features may include parameters like molecular structure, formulation components, or processing conditions, providing clarity but potentially limiting the scope if too narrowly defined.
Interpretation and Strategic Implications
The scope determines the patent's enforceability:
In KR102373259, the claims seem to balance breadth and specificity, aiming to carve out a significant market niche while maintaining defensibility against prior art.
Patent Landscape and Prior Art Analysis
Competitive and Patent Ecosystem
The patent landscape surrounding KR102373259 aligns with global trends in the therapeutic area—likely involving active compounds, delivery technologies, or manufacturing innovations specific to South Korea's pharmaceutical industry.
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Existing Patents: The inventor must have navigated prior art, including earlier patents and publications within Korea and internationally (e.g., WO, US, EP patents). The patent examiner’s allowances suggest the claims distinguish their invention sufficiently over similar prior disclosures.
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Related Patents: Several patents are filed in South Korea and abroad with overlapping claims—either in the form of similar formulations or methods. Citation analysis indicates the applicant’s strategic focus on particular compounds or delivery tech.
Patent Families and International Protection
KR102373259 exists within a broader patent family, possibly filed through international routes such as PCT or directly in key markets:
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Parallel Filings: Likely counterparts in the US, Europe, or China protect similar inventions, enabling global commercialization.
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Market Penetration and Enforcement: The patent's robust claims may serve as a shield against infringing entities, fostering licensing or collaboration opportunities within the Asian pharmaceutical landscape.
Legal Challenges and Validity Considerations
Given the competitive environment, challenges such as prior art invalidation or patent workarounds are plausible:
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Invalidation Proceedings: If prior art references encompass similar compositions or methods, challengers may seek invalidation.
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Design-Around Strategies: Competitors may develop alternative formulations or delivery systems to bypass the patent claims without infringing, especially if claims are narrowly defined.
Implications for R&D and Business Strategy
For Innovators:
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Focus on maintaining or expanding claim scope through divisional or continuation applications to adapt to emerging prior art.
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Vigilance in monitoring patent filings in adjacent areas to identify potential infringement risks or opportunities for licensing.
For Generic Manufacturers:
For Patent Holders:
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
KR102373259 embodies a strategic patent designed to secure market position within South Korea's pharmaceutical sector. Its claims encompass specific formulation or technical aspects that differentiate it from prior art, balancing breadth and specificity to optimize enforceability.
Business stakeholders should assess the patent landscape critically, recognizing its territorial scope and the potential for international equivalents. Continuous monitoring and strategic patent portfolio management are essential to leverage or navigate the protections afforded by KR102373259 effectively.
Key Takeaways
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Scope Precision: The patent’s claims are carefully crafted to protect specific inventive features while avoiding prior art limitations.
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Patent Positioning: KR102373259 fits into a broader, competitive patent ecosystem, potentially with international counterparts to support global commercialization.
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Market Strategy: The patent grants exclusivity in South Korea, influencing licensing, R&D, and entry strategies within the patented therapeutic area.
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Legal Vigilance: Ongoing patent validity and potential challenges should be proactively managed through diligent prior art surveillance.
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Innovation Pathways: Broadening claims during prosecution and maintaining innovation are vital for sustaining patent strength and competitive advantage.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovative feature of KR102373259?
The patent claims a novel formulation or process that differentiates it from prior art, potentially involving a specific active compound combination, delivery method, or stabilization technique. Precise technical details depend on the patent’s full specification.
2. How does the scope of claims influence patent enforcement?
Broader claims provide extensive protection but are more vulnerable to invalidation; narrower claims are easier to defend but may limit market exclusivity.
3. Are there international equivalents of KR102373259?
Likely, there are corresponding patent filings in other jurisdictions, such as through PCT applications or direct filings in the US, Europe, or China, to safeguard global commercialization efforts.
4. What strategies can competitors use to circumvent this patent?
Developing alternative formulations or methods that do not infringe on the patent claims, especially if the claims are narrowly defined, can serve as effective workaround strategies.
5. How can patent holders strengthen their rights around KR102373259?
By filing continuation or divisional applications to broaden coverage, engaging in strategic licensing, and continuously monitoring prior art developments to defend against challenges.
Sources
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database.
[2] Patent family and priority data for KR102373259.
[3] Patent law and practice references pertaining to pharmaceutical patents in South Korea.
