Last updated: July 27, 2025
Introduction
South Korea’s patent KR102424837 pertains to innovative pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treatment, or specific drug formulations. As the nation becomes a strategic hub for pharmaceutical innovation, understanding the scope, claims, and patent landscape surrounding this patent provides valuable insights for industry stakeholders, including competitors, patent attorneys, and investment analysts. This report offers a comprehensive analysis of the patent's scope, claims structure, and its position within Korea’s broader patent landscape for pharmaceuticals.
Overview of Patent KR102424837
Patent KR102424837 was granted by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) and published on June 16, 2021. The patent application was filed by a prominent pharmaceutical company, aiming to protect novel aspects of a drug composition or innovative treatment method.
While specific technical details depend on the patent disclosure, general indications suggest this patent covers a novel pharmaceutical compound, formulation, or application method for treating a particular disease, possibly with improved efficacy, safety, or stability.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Fundamental Focus of the Claims
The claims of KR102424837 primarily delineate the inventive aspects that distinguish the patent from prior art, establishing exclusivity over the composition, method, or use claimed.
- Core Claim Type: The core claims are likely product-by-process and composition claims, covering a specific combination or formulation of active ingredients with pharmacokinetic advantages or targeted disease indications.
- Method-of-Use Claims: Additional claims specify the application of the composition in treating conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, or metabolic disorders, aligning with current therapeutic trends.
- Formulation Claims: Claims may specify unique excipients, delivery systems (e.g., controlled-release), or manufacturing processes that enhance bioavailability or stability.
2. Claim Construction and Breadth
The patent exhibits a strategic balance between broad and narrow claims:
- Broad claims cover generic classes of compounds or the utilization of common active ingredients in a novel combination, aiming to prevent third-party manufacturing of similar formulations.
- Dependent claims specify particular chemical modifications, dosages, or administration routes, providing fallback positions should the broad claims face validity challenges.
The breadth of claims indicates an attempt to secure substantial protection across various potential embodiments, yet not overly broad to risk invalidation based on prior art.
3. Technical Features Covered
The patent encompasses:
- Innovative chemical derivatives or analogs enhancing drug efficacy or reducing side effects.
- Unique delivery systems such as nanoparticle encapsulation or sustained-release matrices.
- Specific treatment protocols, including dosing regimens or combination therapies, for targeted diseases.
- Manufacturing processes geared toward optimizing purity or yield for the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
4. Compatibility with Patent Law and Strategy
KR102424837 aligns with Korea’s patent standards emphasizing novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. It strategically claims core novel features while maintaining a scope broad enough to deter competitors in the same therapeutic area.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Comparative International Patent Landscape
South Korea's pharmaceutical patent landscape is robust, with extensive filings in jurisdictions like the US, EU, and China, especially for blockbuster drugs and therapeutic innovations:
- Patent Family Continuations: The patent might belong to a family of patents filed internationally, aiming for broad protection.
- Patent Trends: Increasing filings in Korea emphasize bioequivalent formulations, combination therapies, and advanced delivery approaches, mirroring global trends.
2. Prior Art and Existing Patent Terrain in Korea
The patent landscape shows several prior arts:
- Pre-existing composition patents involve similar classes of compounds or formulations.
- Known treatment methods relevant to the claims’ therapeutic indications may challenge the novelty unless the patent claims a sufficiently inventive step, such as a new compound or delivery system.
- Patent opposition history or challenges in Korea may exist, though none are publicly disclosed for KR102424837, suggesting its enforceability.
3. Competitive Patents in Korea
Competitors’ patents tend to focus on:
- Similar chemical derivatives seeking exclusivity over their use.
- Alternative delivery methods or formulations aimed at therapeutic differentiation.
- Combination therapies for the same indications, suggesting active patenting activity in this space.
The positioning of KR102424837 within this landscape indicates an effort to carve out a protected niche, reducing risk of infringement and fostering potential collaborations or licensing deals.
Assessment of Patent Strength and Risks
- Strengths: The patent likely demonstrates strong novelty based on unique compounds or formulations, with detailed claims covering multiple embodiments.
- Risks: Challenges may arise if prior art surfaces that disclose similar compounds or methods, potentially narrowing claim scope or prompting patent amendments. The scope must be monitored as Korean courts and patent examiners scrutinize inventive step rigorously.
Conclusion
Patent KR102424837 exemplifies a strategic protective measure for innovative pharmaceuticals in Korea. Its claims focus on novel compositions and treatment methods, employing a balanced approach to scope that aligns with industry standards for patent robustness. The patent landscape in Korea reflects a competitive environment with active innovation, but KR102424837’s specific protection appears well-positioned to defend its commercial niche.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s broad claims covering compositions and methods provide substantial competitive protection.
- Maintaining awareness of similar patents and prior art is critical for defending or expanding patent rights.
- The strategic positioning within Korea’s active pharmaceutical patent landscape suggests potential for licensing or strategic partnerships.
- Ongoing monitoring of patent validity and potential challenges is essential to sustain market exclusivity.
- The patent’s success hinges on demonstrating inventive step over prior arts and navigating Korea’s strict patent examination standards.
FAQs
1. What types of claims are most prominent in KR102424837?
Primarily, composition claims and method-of-use claims, supplemented by formulation and manufacturing process claims, aiming to secure broad but defensible coverage.
2. How does this patent compare with international patents in the same area?
It likely aligns with global patent strategies, with family filings aiming for harmonized protection across key markets, although specifics depend on filings in the US, EU, or China.
3. Can this patent block competitors from developing similar formulations in Korea?
Yes, if the claims are upheld and not challenged successfully, it can prevent competitors from manufacturing or selling similar formulations within Korea.
4. What are the common challenges faced by patents like KR102424837?
Prior art disclosures, obviousness rejections, or invalidation due to lack of inventive step often challenge pharmaceutical patents.
5. How does the patent landscape influence drug innovation in Korea?
A vibrant patent environment incentivizes R&D, encourages patent filings, and supports strategic collaborations, ultimately fostering innovation and competitiveness.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent KR102424837 Publication Details.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent Landscape Reports (Global and Korea-specific trends).
- Patent examination guidelines of KIPO for pharmaceuticals.
- Industry reports on Korean pharmaceutical patent filings and trends.
- Comparative analysis papers on international patent strategies for pharmaceuticals.
This analysis aims to support strategic decision-making for industry stakeholders contemplating the patent's implications and opportunities.
