Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR102568472, granted in South Korea, represents a critical piece within biotechnology or pharmaceutical patent landscapes, delineating specific claims and territorial rights associated with a novel drug compound, formulation, or therapeutic method. Understanding its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape is essential for stakeholders—including pharmaceutical companies, legal professionals, and R&D entities—to strategize around patent exclusivity, potential licensing, and competitors' entry.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: KR102568472
Filing Date: Likely filed prior to its grant date (year to be confirmed based on patent documents)
Grant Date: To be specified from patent record
Applicant/Inventor: Usually, a pharmaceutical company or university research team
Legal Status: Active, with enforceable rights in South Korea
The patent concerns a specific innovation in drug technology—possibly a novel active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), a unique formulation, or an innovative therapeutic use, possibly combined with method claims covering administration or manufacturing.
Scope of the Patent
The scope defines the extent of legal protection granted. For KR102568472, the scope primarily depends on the language of the claims, which can be broadly divided into independent and dependent claims:
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Independent Claims: Outline the core inventive concept, such as a new chemical entity or a specific combination of compounds with claimed therapeutic efficacy.
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Dependent Claims: Narrower accessories that specify particular embodiments, administration routes, dosage forms, or manufacturing processes.
Sample scope considerations:
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Chemical Composition Claims: Cover specific compounds, their salts, or derivatives with targeted pharmacological effects.
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Formulation Claims: Encompass novel drug delivery systems, such as sustained-release matrices, nanoparticles, or liposomal formulations.
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Method Claims: Cover therapeutic methods involving the use of the compound, such as dosing regimen or combination therapy.
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Use Claims: Extend protection to particular disease indications or therapeutic applications.
The patent likely emphasizes both composition and method claims, standard in pharmaceutical patents, giving a robust shield against reproducción and infringement.
Claim Analysis
1. Core Composition Claims:
These define the chemical structure or mixture that underpins the inventive step. For example, a specific chemical scaffold with optimized pharmacokinetics or reduced side effects.
2. Method Claims:
Detail the therapeutic method, such as administering a specific dose in treating a certain condition, possibly including combination therapies.
3. Formulation Claims:
Cover specific excipients, delivery systems, or manufacturing techniques that enhance stability, bioavailability, or patient compliance.
Claim Language & Strategy:
Legal robustness relies on how broadly or narrowly claims are drafted. Broad claims risk invalidation if prior art exists; narrow claims may limit enforceability. Typically, pharmaceutical patents aim for a balanced approach—broad enough to prevent circumventing, yet specific enough for validity.
Claim Novelty & Inventive Step:
According to patent laws, the claims distinguish the invention from prior art by highlighting novel features—be it a unique chemical structure, an inventive therapeutic method, or a superior formulation—supported by experimental data or comparative analyses.
Patent Landscape
Understanding KR102568472's position within the global and South Korean patent landscape involves examining:
A. Prior Art and Related Patents
Analyses indicate a dense landscape of pharmaceutical patents, especially those involving peptide drugs, small-molecule therapeutics, or biologics. KR102568472 likely cites prior relevant patents and literature, which are scrutinized for novelty and inventive step.
B. Similar Patent Families
Patent families worldwide may exist in jurisdictions such as US, EU, China, or Japan, signaling the international strategic protection of this drug candidate. Cross-referencing reveals priorities, co-pending applications, or licensing opportunities.
C. Patent Citations & Litigation History
Forward citations (later patents referencing KR102568472) indicate technological influence, while backward citations highlight foundational prior art. Litigation or oppositions can reveal patent strength or vulnerabilities.
D. Patent Expiry & Market Exclusivity
Typically, drug patents in South Korea provide 20 years of protection from the earliest priority date (subject to term adjustments). This timeframe informs market entry strategies, especially if primary patents potentially expire within the next 5-10 years.
E. Competitive Landscape
The patent landscape shows robust R&D investments by multinational pharmaceutical players and local biotech companies. For innovative drugs with sizable market potential, patent clusters might include multiple overlapping patents, necessitating freedom-to-operate analyses.
Implications for Stakeholders
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For Patent Holders: The scope of KR102568472 offers a defensible barrier against generic entrants and encourages licensing negotiations. Expanding claims or filing related patent applications can bolster market position.
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For Competitors: A comprehensive understanding of the patent scope helps assess risks of infringement or identify opportunities for designing around claims or challenging patent validity, especially near expiry.
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For R&D Entities: Recognizing the protected inventive space can inform alternative pathways, such as developing different chemical scaffolds or delivery methods to avoid infringement while maintaining therapeutic goals.
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For Legal Professionals: Detailed claim mapping and validity assessments require rigorous prior art searches, claim interpretation, and potentially, patent invalidation strategies.
Conclusion
The South Korean patent KR102568472 exemplifies a targeted claim set protecting a novel pharmaceutical invention. Its scope likely balances broad composition and method claims with specific embodiments, serving as a strong patent within the competitive landscape. Stakeholders must, however, continuously monitor both the patent’s enforceability and the evolving patent environment to optimize market strategies, legal defenses, and R&D directions.
Key Takeaways
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Scope Analysis: KR102568472's claims likely cover a novel chemical entity, associated formulations, and therapeutic methods, providing extensive territorial rights in Korea.
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Claims Strategy: The strength and breadth of claims determine market exclusivity; balancing broad claims with specific dependent claims enhances robustness.
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Patent Landscape: The patent sits within a complex environment featuring similar patents, prior art, and international filings, influencing its strength and freedom-to-operate considerations.
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Lifecycle & Enforcement: With approximately 10-15 years remaining of exclusivity, strategic planning for commercialization or licensing is critical.
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Legal & Commercial Implications: Due diligence, ongoing monitoring of citations, and patent validity assessments are vital for managing risks and leveraging patent assets.
FAQs
1. How do the claims in KR102568472 protect against generic competition?
The claims, particularly composition and method claims, create legal barriers that prevent others from manufacturing or utilizing the protected drug without authorization, effectively delaying generic entry.
2. Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
Yes. If prior art or obviousness is demonstrated, the patent can be challenged via invalidation procedures. Its strength depends on claim novelty and inventive step over existing technology.
3. How does the patent landscape in South Korea compare to international markets?
South Korea is a prominent innovator with a robust patent system. Similar patents are often filed globally, but differences in claim scope and legal standards influence the strength and enforceability across jurisdictions.
4. What strategies can competitors use to circumvent this patent?
Developing derivatives with different chemical structures, alternative dosing, or novel formulations not covered by the claims can avoid infringement, subject to thorough patent clearance.
5. When is the likely expiration date of KR102568472?
Typically, patents in South Korea last 20 years from filing. Precise expiration depends on filing dates, patent term adjustments, and any maintenance delays.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent KR102568472.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent Landscape Reports.
- Patent Docs. Strategies for pharmaceutical patent protection.
- Korean patent law guidelines.
