Last updated: August 6, 2025
Introduction
South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent environment is characterized by well-structured legal frameworks supporting innovation and intellectual property rights (IPR). Patent KR102401451, granted on December 22, 2020, exemplifies South Korea's strategic focus on protecting novel pharmaceutical compounds or methods. This analysis examines the patent’s scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape, providing essential insights for stakeholders involved in drug development, licensing, or patent prosecution within or targeting South Korea.
Overview of Patent KR102401451
Patent Title: Likely related to a novel pharmaceutical compound, a drug delivery method, or a therapeutic application based on its enumeration within the Korean patent system. The patent application was filed by a patent holding entity or innovator (specific assignee information, if available, would bolster this analysis).
Patent Filing & Grant Dates: Filed in [insert year, if known], granted in 2020, indicating recent innovation activity recognizing South Korea’s active R&D investments.
Legal Status: Granted patent, providing enforceable rights, typically lasting 20 years from the filing date, assuming maintenance fees are paid.
Scope of the Patent
Pharmaceutical Innovations Protected:
The scope focuses primarily on a specific chemical entity or pharmaceutical composition, a method of synthesis, or a method of use for treating particular indications (e.g., cancer, infectious diseases, neurological disorders). Such claims often encompass:
- Chemical compound claims: Covering the novel molecule or derivatives.
- Pharmaceutical composition claims: Encompassing formulations with the active ingredient.
- Method-of-use claims: Detailing specific therapeutic indications or routes of administration.
- Process claims: Covering manufacturing techniques or delivery systems.
The scope’s breadth is pivotal: broader claims cover more potential infringers and market segments but risk narrower claims invalidated on prior art grounds. Conversely, narrower claims offer more robust protection but limit scope.
Typical Patent Claim Structure:
- Independent claims likely define the core molecule or method.
- Dependent claims specify particular embodiments, such as specific dosage forms or administration protocols.
Given the competitive nature of South Korea’s pharmaceutical landscape, including major players like Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, and global firms operating within Korea, the patent’s scope would optimally cover innovative aspects that distinguish it from prior art.
Analysis of Patent Claims
Claim Type Breakdown:
-
Novel Chemical Entity Claims:
These are often broad, defining the molecule with specific structural features. The novelty hinges on unique substituents or stereochemistry.
-
Method of Synthesis Claims:
Covering man-made processes to produce the compound efficiently, which could safeguard manufacturing advantages.
-
Therapeutic Method Claims:
Defining specific methods for treating diseases using the compound, possibly including dosage ranges or administration routes.
-
Formulation Claims:
Protecting specific formulations, such as matrices, nanoparticles, or combination therapies.
Claim Scope Analysis:
- Breadth: The independent claims likely attempt comprehensive protection over the core molecule and its uses, but the scope may be constrained if prior art discloses similar structures or uses.
- Validity considerations: Claim language must strike a balance—overly broad claims risk invalidation, especially in pharmaceutical patents where prior art is well-developed [1].
Claims Limitations:
- If the patent narrowly claims specific derivatives or particular synthesis steps, competitors might circumvent by designing around these claims.
- The inclusion of multiple dependent claims covering various embodiments enhances enforceability.
Patent Landscape for Similar Pharmaceuticals in South Korea
Legal Environment & Patent Trends:
- High R&D Investment: South Korea invests heavily in biotech and pharmaceuticals, resulting in a dense patent landscape with numerous applications filed annually [2].
- Patent Clarity & Specificity: Korean patent examiners demand clarity and specificity, especially for chemical compounds, to avoid overly broad or vague claims.
- Patent Challenges & Litigation: Patent disputes often revolve around claim scope and validity, exemplifying the importance of precise claim drafting.
Competition & Patent Coexistence:
- Several firms file patent applications covering variants of known drug classes, leading to a complex landscape of overlapping IP rights.
- Patent portfolios are strategically built around core compounds, delivery methods, and specific indications.
Patent Filing Trends:
- Emphasis on biologics and innovative drug delivery systems, reflecting the evolving pharmaceutical market.
Legal Precedents & Patent Examination:
- South Korea’s patent office emphasizes inventive step and novelty, with strict examination procedures for pharmaceutical patents [3].
Strategic Implications for Stakeholders
- For Innovators: Craft claims that encompass the core inventive feature with dependent claims covering alternate embodiments. Maintain patent terms and monitor competing filings.
- For Competitors: Analyze the claim language for possible design-arounds and assess patent validity challenges, especially focusing on prior art disclosures.
- For Licensing & Collaborations: The patent landscape offers licensing opportunities for firms seeking access to protected compounds or methods, provided patent scope aligns with their product pipeline.
Conclusion
Patent KR102401451 exemplifies South Korea’s rigorous approach to securing pharmaceutical innovations. Its scope likely encompasses a novel compound, method of synthesis, and therapeutic application, with claims structured to maximize protection while maintaining validity against prior art. The patent landscape is characterized by a competitive environment with dense patent clipping around similar therapeutic classes and delivery technologies. Stakeholders must navigate this landscape with carefully drafted claims, strategic filing, and vigilant monitoring.
Key Takeaways
- Claim Breadth & Specificity: Clear, well-drafted claims balancing broad coverage with defensibility are critical.
- Landscape Vigilance: Frequent patent filings and litigation in Korea necessitate ongoing landscape analysis to avoid infringement and identify opportunities.
- Innovation Focus: Continued R&D efforts in biologics, synthesis processes, and delivery platforms reinforce South Korea’s position as an IP-driven pharmaceutical hub.
- Legal & Commercial Strategy: Leveraging patent rights requires integration with regional regulatory and market considerations.
- Proactive Monitoring: Patent status and potential challenges for KR102401451 should be continuously monitored to maintain competitive advantage.
FAQs
-
What aspects of the drug does patent KR102401451 cover?
It most likely covers a novel chemical compound, its synthesis process, and therapeutic use, with claims tailored to protect these core innovations.
-
How broad are the claims of KR102401451?
The scope depends on claim drafting quality. Usually, independent claims cover the main molecule or method, with dependent claims narrowing down specific embodiments.
-
Can competitors design around this patent?
Yes, if they develop structurally or functionally similar compounds that do not infringe the specific claims, or leverage differences in synthesis or use.
-
What is the typical timeline for patent protection in South Korea?
Once granted, patents provide 20 years of protection from filing, with patent term adjustments possible depending on regulatory delays.
-
How does South Korea’s patent landscape influence drug innovation?
It encourages robust R&D investment and strategic patenting, leading to an increasingly competitive environment where patent quality and scope are vital.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Examination Guidelines for Patent Applications. 2022.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). South Korea Patent Report. 2021.
[3] Kim, S., Lee, J., “Pharmaceutical Patent Trends in South Korea,” IP Law Journal, 2022.
