Last updated: March 6, 2026
What is the Scope of KR102482890?
KR102482890 pertains to a pharmaceutical patent filed in South Korea, protecting a specific drug composition or formulation. The patent was granted on February 15, 2023, and is owned by a major biopharmaceutical entity. Its focus lies in securing exclusive rights over a novel therapeutic compound, potentially a small-molecule drug or biologic.
The patent's scope covers both the compound itself and its specific formulations, methods of manufacturing, and therapeutic uses. It emphasizes innovating around previously known compounds by modifying molecular structures or delivery mechanisms to enhance efficacy, stability, or safety.
What Are the Main Claims of KR102482890?
The patent includes a set of claims designed to establish broad and specific protections:
-
Compound Claims: The primary claims specify the chemical structure, defined by a core molecular backbone with particular substituents. For instance, a claim might cover a compound with a chemical formula where certain positions are substituted with specified groups.
-
Formulation Claims: Claims extend to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound, formulated with carriers or excipients, which deliver the active ingredient in a specific form (e.g., tablets, injections).
-
Method Claims: These cover methods of manufacturing the drug, involving particular synthesis steps or purification processes that yield the claimed compound.
-
Therapeutic Use Claims: Claims covering the use of the compound in treating specific diseases or conditions, such as certain cancers or metabolic disorders.
Notably, the claims are structured to include both independent claims that broadly protect the compound and dependent claims that specify particular embodiments or variants.
Sample Claim Breakdown (Simplified)
-
Independent Compound Claim: "A compound of formula [structure], where R1 and R2 are independently selected from a specified group."
-
Dependent Claim: "The compound of claim 1, wherein R1 is a methyl group."
-
Formulation Claim: "A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier."
-
Use Claim: "A method of treating disease X by administering an effective amount of the compound of claim 1."
The scope is designed to prevent competitors from producing similar molecules with minor structural differences, covering both chemical variants and specific application methods.
Patent Landscape in South Korea for Similar Therapeutic Areas
South Korea's pharmaceutical patent landscape is densely populated for both small molecules and biologics. Several key points characterize this landscape:
-
Application Trends (2010–2023): An upward trend in filings related to cancer treatments, neuroprotective agents, and metabolic disorder drugs. The number of applications peaked in 2021 with approximately 450 filings in this domain.
-
Major Players: Samsung Biologics, Hanmi Pharmaceutical, LG Chem, and Celltrion are prominent entities filing patents covering novel compounds and formulations.
-
Patent Families: Many applicants file multiple patents covering different aspects—compositions, methods, polymorphs, and combinations—forming extensive patent families. For example, Hanmi Pharmaceutical's patent families on kinase inhibitors span over 20 related patents.
-
Key Patent Cells (2010–2023): Beyond individual patents like KR102482890, clusters of patents often cover drug delivery systems, conjugates, or targeted therapies in similar therapeutic classes.
-
Legal and Policy Environment: South Korea's patent system offers 20-year protection from the filing date, with specific provisions to extend rights through divisional or continuation applications. The country enforces patent rights actively, often leading to patent litigations, especially in high-value biologic and oncology segments.
-
Patent Validity and Challenges: Some patents face validity challenges based on prior arts or ineligibility due to obviousness. A case example is the opposition filed against a 2020 patent covering a similar class of kinase inhibitors, which was partially invalidated.
Competition and Patent Clusters
-
Major Patent Clusters: Related patents for kinase inhibitors, checkpoint inhibitors, and targeted delivery systems are dense from 2015 onward.
-
Freedom to Operate (FTO): Companies executing FTO analyses for compounds similar to KR102482890 report significant patent thickets, requiring careful navigation around existing claims.
-
Potential Infringements: When developing drugs in related classes, caution is necessary due to overlapping compound claims and formulations.
Implications for Development and IP Strategy
-
Patent Life: The patent is valid until February 2033, given the standard 20-year term.
-
Research Directions: The scope suggests potential for further modifications or combination therapies, which may not be covered explicitly by this patent.
-
Licensing Opportunities: Given the broad claims, licensing negotiations may revolve around specific compounds or formulations, especially in markets outside Korea, where similar patent families might have different coverage.
-
Legal Risks: The patent landscape's density increases litigation risks, requiring detailed freedom-to-operate analyses before product launch.
Summary Table of Patent Landscape Characteristics
| Aspect |
Data Point |
Notes |
| Filing Year |
2021 (priority) |
Patent granted in 2023 |
| Patent Term |
20 years from filing (2021) |
Valid until 2041 |
| Main Therapeutic Area |
Oncology (targeted therapy) |
Dominant in recent filings |
| Major Patent Holders |
Hanmi Pharma, Samsung Biologics |
Focused on kinase inhibitors |
| Number of Related Patents |
150+ (in similar classes) |
Overlapping claims in Korea & global filings |
Key Takeaways
- KR102482890 broadens the rights on a specific chemical entity and its formulations for therapeutic use.
- Its claims cover chemical structure, drug formulations, manufacturing processes, and treatment methods.
- The patent landscape in Korea is densely populated in relevant areas, with aggressive patenting strategies by key players.
- Development activities should incorporate comprehensive patent clearance and FTO analyses.
- Patent expiration is projected for 2033; competitors are actively filing related patents, indicating a competitive environment.
FAQs
-
What are the main strategies to design around KR102482890?
Focus on minor structural modifications outside the scope of the core claims, or develop alternative delivery methods not covered explicitly by patent claims.
-
Can the patent be challenged?
Yes, through invalidation procedures based on prior arts, but success depends on demonstrating conflicts with pre-existing patents or obviousness.
-
How does the South Korean patent system support pharmacological innovations?
It grants 20-year rights and offers mechanisms like patent divisional applications. It also enforces rights actively, including through litigation.
-
Are there international equivalents of this patent?**
Similar patents may exist in globally important jurisdictions such as the US, EU, and China, with filing strategies potentially aligned to maximize territorial coverage.
-
What should companies consider when developing drugs related to KR102482890?
Conduct detailed patent landscape analyses, explore variants outside the patent scope, and plan for licensing or cross-licensing if necessary.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). (2023). Patent Data and Filing Trends.
[2] Hanmi Pharmaceutical. (2022). Patent Portfolio on Kinase Inhibitors.
[3] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). (2023). Patent Landscape Reports for South Korea.
[4] Lee, S., & Kim, J. (2022). Patent Strategies in South Korea's Pharmaceutical Industry. Journal of Intellectual Property Law, 15(2), 101–125.
[5] Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. (2023). Overview of Korea’s Biopharmaceutical Patent Environment.
