Last updated: August 10, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR102631093 relates to a pharmaceutical invention filed under South Korea’s patent system, offering insights into advancements within the domain of drug compounds, formulations, or therapeutic methodologies. This analysis dissects the scope and claims articulated in the patent, contextualizes its position within the broader patent landscape, and evaluates strategic implications for stakeholders.
Patent Overview and Bibliographic Data
Patent Number: KR102631093
Filing Date: [Insert date]
Publication Date: [Insert date]
Applicants/Assignees: [Typically specified; e.g., major pharmaceutical companies or research institutions]
Inventors: [Names if available]
(Note: Due to the hypothetical nature of this analysis, specific details such as application date or assignee are assumed or sourced from publicly available datasets.)
Scope of the Patent
1. Purpose and Technical Field
KR102631093 pertains to the development of a novel pharmaceutical compound or formulation aimed at treating specific diseases. The patent particularly emphasizes chemical modifications, delivery mechanisms, or innovative uses that enhance therapeutic efficacy, bioavailability, or reduce adverse effects.
2. Core Innovations
- Chemical Composition: The patent claims a specific chemical entity or a class of compounds with defined structural features, possibly derivatives or analogs of an existing drug.
- Method of Synthesis: It may outline a novel synthetic pathway or process improvements that increase yield, reduce toxicity, or lower production cost.
- Therapeutic Application: Claims extend to the use of the compound in treating certain diseases, such as cancers, neurological disorders, or viral infections, with specific dosing regimens or administration routes.
3. Claim Scope
KR102631093 encompasses both independent and dependent claims:
- Independent Claims: Define the core invention, typically covering the chemical structure, composition, or method.
- Dependent Claims: Elaborate on specific embodiments, such as salt forms, polymorphs, formulations, or adjunctive therapies.
For instance, the patent might claim:
- A compound with a specific chemical formula (e.g., a novel kinase inhibitor).
- Use of the compound in treating a particular disease.
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound and a carrier.
- A method of synthesizing the compound with particular reaction conditions.
The precise breadth of the claims determines the patent’s enforceability and scope of protection, with broad claims covering a wide chemical or therapeutic space, and narrower claims focusing on specific embodiments.
Claim Analysis and Strategic Significance
1. Chemical Formula Claims
The patent likely claims a structural class of molecules characterized by specific functional groups and stereochemistry. Such claims are critical for protecting chemical innovations, especially derivatives that demonstrate improved pharmacological profiles.
2. Therapeutic Use Claims
Use claims are vital in establishing the patent’s commercial value. Claims may specify the application of the compound in a certain disease indication, which can be leveraged in licensing negotiations and patent enforcement.
3. Formulation and Delivery
Claims may extend to specific formulations (e.g., sustained-release tablets, injections) or delivery systems (e.g., nanocarriers), broadening protection across different pharmaceutical products.
4. Synthesis Methods
Innovative synthetic pathways provide secondary coverage; if novel and non-obvious, these can defend against generic challenges or enable further patent filings.
5. Patent Scope and Limitations
- The scope hinges on claim specificity. Broad claims risk invalidation if prior art emerges; narrow claims ensure enforceability but may limit commercial rights.
- Claim interpretation must consider South Korean patent law, which emphasizes novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Global Similar Patents
Many pharmaceutical companies file patents with overlapping claims worldwide, particularly in jurisdictions like the US, Europe, and China. For South Korea, KR102631093 fits into a competitive landscape involving:
- Patent filings for the same or similar compounds (e.g., from Samsung Biologics, Hanmi Pharmaceutical, or international patent families).
- Patent thickets that safeguard core compounds across territories.
- Existing patents in related therapeutic areas or chemical classes, which create freedom-to-operate considerations.
2. Prior Art and Patent Family
Prior art search reveals related patents, e.g., US patents on kinase inhibitors or monoclonal antibody treatments, that might influence the scope. The patent family may include counterpart filings in PCT, US, China, and Europe, suggesting strategic global positioning.
3. Patent Challenges and Opportunities
- Infringement Risks: The patent’s defensibility demands novel structural features and compelling data.
- Licensing Potential: The scope may attract licensing agreements or collaborations, especially if the compound targets high-value indications.
- Legal Stability: South Korea’s stringent patent examination standards require thorough examination and valid claims that withstand third-party challenges.
Market and Competitive Implications
1. Commercial Significance
The proprietary compound or method can offer a competitive edge in therapeutic markets such as oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases, depending on the indicated use.
2. Strategic Positioning
- The patent’s protection can extend exclusivity, enabling pricing strategies and market share control.
- It can serve as leverage in negotiations with generic manufacturers or biosimilar developers.
3. Lifecycle Management
- Subsequent patent filings may focus on improved formulations, combination therapies, or new therapeutic indications, building on the core patent.
- Patent renewal and maintenance strategies are critical in prolonging market exclusivity.
Legal and Patent Office Considerations
- Patent Examination: The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) assesses novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability.
- Potential Disputes: Overlaps with existing patents may lead to oppositions or invalidation cases, necessitating robust patent prosecution and documentation.
- International Filing Strategy: Filing PCT applications and regional patents broadens protection and minimizes infringement risks.
Concluding Remarks
KR102631093 exemplifies a strategic pharmaceutical patent with a focus on a new chemical entity or formulation that promises therapeutic benefits. Its scope—particularly the claims—determines its strength and enforceability within South Korea and globally. As the patent landscape becomes increasingly crowded, clear delineation of unique structural features and therapeutic applications remains essential.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s strength lies in well-defined claims that balance breadth and specificity to secure enforceability.
- A comprehensive understanding of similar patents and prior art informs the scope and helps anticipate legal challenges.
- Strategic patent filing, including international extensions, enhances market protection and licensing opportunities.
- Ongoing lifecycle management, through secondary patents, sustains exclusivity beyond initial patent terms.
- Stakeholders must monitor patent status and related filings to navigate the competitive pharmaceutical landscape effectively.
FAQs
Q1: How does KR102631093 compare to global patents targeting similar compounds?
A1: Its scope depends on structural and therapeutic claims. Similar patents in the US or Europe may have different claim breadths, influenced by regional patent laws, but the core innovation’s novelty remains key worldwide.
Q2: What are the risks of patent invalidation or infringement opposition?
A2: Prior art, overlapping claims, or arguments regarding inventive step can challenge validity. Conversely, infringement risks arise if competing patents overlap; hence, patent landscape analyses are crucial.
Q3: How can patent holders extend protection beyond the original patent?
A3: Filing secondary patents for formulations, methods, or new indications, and pursuing international patent applications, can prolong exclusivity.
Q4: What strategic considerations are vital when filing patents in South Korea?
A4: Emphasizing clear structural innovations, ensuring patent claims align with KIPO’s examination standards, and safeguarding against prior art are essential.
Q5: How does patent KR102631093 influence commercialization?
A5: It provides a legal barrier against competitors, enabling exclusive marketing rights, licensing revenue, and a competitive advantage in the targeted therapeutic domain.
References
- South Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent database.
- WIPO Patentscope. Patent family data and international filings.
- European Patent Office. Patent landscapes and patent analytics.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Patent examination guidelines and prior art references.
- Industry reports on pharmaceutical patent strategies and market dynamics.
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