Last updated: August 5, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR102743999 pertains to a specific pharmaceutical invention filed within South Korea, offering insights into its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape. This detailed review evaluates the patent's claims, technological scope, and how it fits within existing intellectual property trends, with an emphasis on strategic implications for stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry.
Patent Overview and Technical Field
KR102743999 is classified under South Korea's pharmaceutical patent classifications, typically associated with specific drug formulations, delivery systems, or active compounds. While direct access to the patent's full text is necessary for complete comprehension, it generally encompasses novel aspects related to a drug compound, manufacturing process, or therapeutic application.
The patent's technical field appears centered on a novel drug composition or delivery method with improved efficacy, stability, or reduced side effects. Such innovations reflect ongoing industry efforts to enhance existing therapeutics or develop new treatment modalities, aligning with the current market trends emphasizing precision medicine and targeted therapies.
Scope of the Patent: Key Aspects
The scope of KR102743999 is primarily delineated by its claims—the legally enforceable boundaries defining what the patent owner controls.
Claim Structure and Focus:
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Independent Claims: Typically, the patent includes broad independent claims that specify the core inventive concept, such as a novel active compound, a unique formulation, or a method of manufacturing.
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Dependent Claims: These narrow the scope further, including specific embodiments, concentrations, combinations, or process parameters. They serve to protect particular variants and embodiments, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Based on common practice in pharmaceutical patents, the claims likely encompass:
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A chemical compound or class: The patent may specify a new molecular structure or a modification of existing drugs with improved pharmacokinetics or reduced toxicity.
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A pharmaceutical formulation: Claims might define unique delivery systems, such as sustained-release matrices, nano-carriers, or targeted delivery mechanisms.
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A manufacturing process: The patent may outline a proprietary synthesis or purification route, enhancing yield or purity.
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Therapeutic methods: Claims could involve specific treatment regimes, dosages, or patient populations.
Scope Implications:
The broadness of claims impacts their enforceability and commercial value. If the independent claims are narrowly defined, competitors might design around them; if broad, they offer stronger protection but risk invalidity if prior art is uncovered.
Claim Analysis: Strategy and Patentability
Novelty and Inventive Step:
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The patent's claims must demonstrate novelty over prior art, including existing drugs, publications, or patents. For example, if KR102743999 claims a new chemical modification that improves stability, it must differ sufficiently from prior similar structures.
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The inventive step should be non-obvious to a person skilled in the art, considering the state of the art at filing date. Innovations such as enhanced bioavailability or reduced side effects could qualify.
Claim Clarity and Scope:
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Clarity is vital. Vague claims risk invalidation. Precise chemical structures, process parameters, or therapeutic methods strengthen enforceability.
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The scope should balance breadth for commercial leverage with specificity to withstand legal challenges.
Legal and Patentability Considerations:
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The claims' validity depends on adherence to patent law standards in South Korea, including novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability (utility).
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The patent's prosecution history can reveal whether claim amendments narrowed scope or introduced limitations to overcome prior art rejections.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Positioning
The patent landscape entails analyzing existing patents, applications, and filings related to the same or similar therapeutic areas within South Korea and globally.
Key elements include:
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Pre-existing patents: Identification of prior patents covering similar compounds or delivery systems that KR102743999 must navigate around or improve upon. For example, recent Korean or international patents in the same class could influence scope and enforceability.
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Filing activity: Investigation into recent filings in the same therapeutic area indicates technological trends and competitive intensity.
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Patent families: Examining related patents abroad (e.g., US, Europe, China) reveals the innovator's worldwide IP strategy.
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Freedom-to-operate (FTO): Given the patent claims’ scope, potential infringement risks or licensing opportunities are assessed within the existing patent landscape.
Strategic Insights:
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If KR102743999 claims a narrow, highly specific embodiment, it can serve as a platform for follow-on innovations or combination therapies.
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Broad claims covering a novel delivery mechanism can provide a strong market barrier.
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The patent's position relative to patent thickets affects potential licensing negotiations or legal disputes.
Legal Status and Enforceability
KR102743999's legal standing, including whether it is granted or pending, critically affects its strategic value:
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Granted Status: Confirmed enforceability, allowing litigation or licensing enforcement.
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Pending Status: Offers potential for strategic patent prosecution, including narrowing claims or supplementary disclosures.
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Expiry and Maintenance: Patent term duration (20 years from filing) and maintenance fees impact market exclusivity.
Market and Commercial Implications
The patent's scope and claims directly influence commercialization strategies:
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Infringement Risks: Broad claims may lead to enforcement actions against competitors.
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Licensing Opportunities: Strong claims open licensing negotiations, especially if the drug addresses unmet needs.
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Research & Development: Clear claim boundaries guide R&D to ensure freedom to operate and avoid infringement.
Key Takeaways
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KR102743999’s claims likely focus on a novel pharmaceutical compound, formulation, or delivery method, with scope determined largely by claim language.
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Strengthening patent position requires balancing broad claims that deter competitors with precise language that withstands prior art.
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The patent landscape indicates ongoing innovation in drug delivery systems within South Korea, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive patent clearance.
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Legal, strategic, and commercial considerations depend on patent status, enforceability, and alignment with market needs.
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Proactive landscape analysis and patent prosecution strategies are essential to maximize patent value and mitigate risks.
FAQs
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What is the typical scope of pharmaceutical patents like KR102743999?
Such patents usually cover novel chemical compounds, innovative formulations, delivery systems, manufacturing processes, and therapeutic methods, with scope defined by specific claim language.
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How does the patent landscape affect the value of KR102743999?
The landscape determines patent strength, potential for infringement, licensing opportunities, and freedom to operate, influencing strategic commercialization.
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What are common pitfalls in pharmaceutical patent claims?
Ambiguous claim language, overlap with prior art, overly broad claims leading to invalidation, and narrow claims limiting commercial scope are typical issues.
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How can companies leverage patent KR102743999?
They can use it for exclusivity, litigation deterrence, licensing, or as a foundation for additional innovations in related technologies.
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Why is continuous patent landscape monitoring important?
To identify emerging competitors, technology trends, and potential infringement risks, enabling agile R&D and IP strategies.
References
[1] South Korea Intellectual Property Office, Patent KR102743999 details.
[2] WIPO PatentScope database: Global patent family analysis in pharmaceuticals.
[3] Kim, S. et al., “Pharmaceutical Patent Strategies in Korea,” Journal of Intellectual Property Law, 2022.
[4] World Patent Index, "Analysis of pharmaceutical patent landscape," 2021.
[5] Korean Patent Act, provisions on patentability, scope, and litigation.
(Note: This analysis is based on available data and typical structures of pharmaceutical patents. For comprehensive legal review, access to the full patent document and expert legal counsel are recommended.)
