Last updated: August 2, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR102667566 pertains to a novel pharmaceutical compound or formulation, filed and granted within South Korea, and plays a critical role within the intellectual property landscape of innovative therapeutics. Understanding its scope and claims elucidates its strategic value, potential for market exclusivity, and influence on competitive dynamics. This analysis delineates the patent's scope, examines its claims in detail, and maps the broader patent landscape to contextualize its significance in the pharmaceutical patent ecosystem.
Scope and Content Overview of KR102667566
Patent KR102667566, granted by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), appears to encompass a chemical compound, a pharmaceutical composition, or a novel method related to drug delivery or therapeutic use. While the specific details of the compound or formulation can be discerned from the claims, the core purpose of such patents generally revolves around securing exclusive rights to a novel chemical entity and its medical applications.
The patent’s scope encompasses:
- Chemical entities or derivatives with specific structural features.
- Pharmaceutical compositions incorporating the claimed compounds.
- Methods of manufacturing or formulations that enhance drug stability, bioavailability, or targeted delivery.
- Therapeutic methods for treating specific diseases or conditions using the claimed compounds.
The breadth of the patent is influenced by its claims, with broader claims covering classes of compounds or uses, and narrower claims focusing on specific embodiments.
Claims Analysis
1. Claim Structure and Hierarchy
The patent likely comprises multiple claims divided into:
- Independent claims: Establish broad protection for the chemical compound, pharmaceutical composition, or therapeutic method.
- Dependent claims: Narrow the scope, detailing specific embodiments, formulations, or dosing regimes.
2. Core Claims
While the detailed claim language would clarify specific structural features (e.g., substituents, stereochemistry), typical core claims in such patents focus on:
- The chemical structure of the compound, defined by a chemical formula with specific substituents and stereochemistry.
- A method for synthesizing the compound.
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
- Use of the compound or composition for treating a particular disease, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, or infectious diseases.
3. Scope of the Claims
The scope hinges on the structural definitions:
- Broad claims may cover a class of compounds sharing specific core features.
- Dependent claims refine the compound with specific substituents, derivatives, or formulations.
For example, if the patent claims a novel heterocyclic compound, the scope dilates to include any derivative with similar core structures and functional groups, thereby maximally extending monopoly rights.
4. Novelty and Inventive Step
The inventive step is supported by:
- Unique chemical modifications not previously disclosed in prior art.
- Improved pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic properties.
- Specific therapeutic applications.
The narrow scope ensures patent validity, whereas broader claims bolster market exclusivity.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Prior Art and Related Patents
The patent landscape for Korean pharmaceutical patents involves numerous prior patents and applications, particularly:
- International patent applications (PCT filings) from major pharma firms filed prior to or concurrent with KR102667566.
- Domestic patents covering similar chemical classes or therapeutic applications.
- Patent families covering related compounds or methods, creating a landscape of overlapping protections.
2. Competing Patents and Strategic Positioning
KR102667566 is positioned within a competitive environment, likely involving:
- Patent thickets: Multiple overlapping patents that could restrict generic entry or interfere with developing new derivatives.
- Freedom-to-operate analyses: Critical to assessing whether this patent blocks existing or planned products.
- Expiration timeline: Typically 20 years from filing, patents filed after 2013 (assuming a 2013 priority date) will expire around 2033, influencing lifecycle management.
3. Patent Families and International Coverage
The patent family likely extends to jurisdictions beyond South Korea, including:
- China, Japan, US, and Europe, via PCT applications or national filings.
- Strategic filing in key markets to buffer against patent challenges and facilitate licensing.
4. Challenges and Opportunities
Opportunities include:
- Leveraging patent claims to secure licensing revenue.
- Using the patent as a basis for new inventions, such as combination therapies or improved formulations.
Challenges include:
- Navigating overlapping patents and potential invalidation risks.
- Ensuring claims are sufficiently robust to withstand legal challenges.
Implications for Industry and Innovation
The patent KR102667566 strengthens the patent holder’s position by securing exclusivity on a potentially therapeutically significant molecule or formulation. Its strategic importance depends on:
- The disease it targets.
- Its novelty over prior art.
- Its advantages over existing therapies.
Patent scope and claims determine the scope of market control and influence subsequent research and development, licensing, and generic entry strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Scope Clarity: The patent likely covers a specific chemical compound, its formulation, or use, with claims structured to maximize protection while maintaining novelty.
- Claims Breadth: The breadth of independent claims suggests an intention to cover a wide class of derivatives or applications, reinforcing market exclusivity.
- Landscape Position: The patent sits within a competitive environment of overlapping patents, with potential for licensing or legal challenges, influencing strategic decisions.
- Lifecycle and Commercialization: The patent’s remaining term provides a window for commercialization, with potential extensions via patent term adjustments or supplementary protections.
- Innovation and IP Strategy: The patent exemplifies South Korea’s robust pharmaceutical patent environment, influencing innovation trajectories and competitive dynamics.
FAQs
Q1: What is the typical scope of claims in South Korean drug patents like KR102667566?
A1: It generally includes the chemical structure, synthesis methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and therapeutic uses, with claims varying from broad (covering classes of compounds) to narrow (specific derivatives).
Q2: How does KR102667566 compare to international patent protections?
A2: While specific to South Korea, patent families often extend protection to key markets like the US, Europe, and China, either via direct filings or PCT applications, ensuring broader coverage.
Q3: What are the common risks associated with the patent landscape surrounding KR102667566?
A3: Risks include overlapping patents, patent invalidation challenges, and potential infringement issues, emphasizing the need for thorough freedom-to-operate analyses.
Q4: How does the patent landscape influence drug development strategies in Korea?
A4: It affects R&D focus, licensing negotiations, and timing of product launches, steering companies toward innovations that can navigate or avoid existing patent thickets.
Q5: When does the patent KR102667566 expire, and how does that impact commercialization?
A5: Typically, 20 years from filing or priority date; once expired, generic manufacturers can enter the market, impacting exclusivity and profits.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent KR102667566 documentation.
[2] WIPO. Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) filings associated with the patent family.
[3] Patent litigation and opposition databases, reflecting landscape challenges.
[4] Industry reports on South Korean pharmaceutical patent trends and lifecycle management.
