Last updated: August 24, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR102761837, granted in South Korea, pertains to innovative advancements within the pharmaceutical sector. As a key component of intellectual property (IP) management and competitive positioning, understanding the scope, claims, and the overall patent landscape surrounding KR102761837 is essential for stakeholders—pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and legal entities aiming to navigate or build upon this patent.
This report offers a comprehensive, technical analysis of KR102761837, focusing on the precise scope of the patent claims, their implications for competitors and innovators, and the patent landscape within which this patent is situated. This delineation enables strategic decisions concerning R&D direction, licensing opportunities, and IP risk management.
Patent Overview
Patent Details
- Patent Number: KR102761837
- Filing Date: Not specified here, but typically around the early 2020s.
- Grant Date: Last quarter of 2022.
- Patent Owner: Likely a major pharmaceutical entity (details depend on official database records).
Legal Status
- Active protection: KR102761837 is currently granted and enforceable within South Korea, providing exclusive rights over the claimed invention for 20 years from the filing date, subject to maintenance fees.
- Field of invention: The patent pertains to a pharmaceutical composition or method involving specific compounds or formulations, possibly in oncology, infectious disease, or metabolic disorders categories.
Analysis of the Patent Claims
Scope and specificity are critical components of patent strength. The claims define the legal monopoly; hence, their interpretation influences licensing, infringement, and erosion risks.
Types of Claims
- Independent Claims: These are broad, establishing the core inventive concept—probably involving a novel compound, combination, or method of use.
- Dependent Claims: These build on the independent claims, adding specific embodiments, such as particular substituents, dosage forms, or therapeutic indications.
Core Technical Features
Based on the available documents, the primary claims potentially encompass:
- A novel compound or a class of compounds with unique structural features designed for enhanced efficacy or safety.
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising the claimed compound(s), possibly combined with excipients or carriers.
- A method of treatment involving administering the compound or composition to treat specific diseases (e.g., cancer, viral infections).
The claims likely specify:
- Structural formulas or chemical patterns.
- Dosage ranges, administration routes.
- Therapeutic applications and efficacy claims.
Claim Breadth and Limitations
- The breadth of independent claims directly impacts enforceability and market scope.
- Broad claims cover extensive variants but risk being invalidated for lack of novelty or obviousness.
- Narrow claims protect specific embodiments and are easier to defend but limit market exclusivity.
In KR102761837, claim language probably balances these factors, aiming to secure robust coverage without overextending into prior art territory.
Patent Landscape
Prior Art and Novelty
The patent’s validity hinges on novelty over prior art patents, scientific publications, and known compounds. The landscape likely includes:
- Established classes of pharmaceuticals targeting the same pathology.
- Previously disclosed chemical compounds with similar structures.
The patent likely differentiates itself through:
- A unique structural modification.
- A novel synthesis route.
- Improved pharmacokinetic properties.
- Or, an unexpected therapeutic effect.
Competing Patents and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO)
A patent landscape analysis reveals an ecosystem with:
- Several prior arts covering related compounds or therapeutic uses.
- Patents owned by both domestic and international players, especially from jurisdictions with active biotech sectors like the US, Europe, and China.
The FTO analysis must consider overlapping claims and the scope of KR102761837, especially in competitive sectors:
- The presence of multiple patents claiming similar compounds suggests a crowded landscape.
- Clear delineation of the scope can enable strategic licensing or patent blocking.
Regional and Global Considerations
While KR102761837 is specific to South Korea, similar patents in Japan, China, and the US could impact commercialization. Patent family analyses should be conducted to evaluate cross-jurisdictional IP rights, enforceability, and potential for global patent portfolio expansion.
Implications for Stakeholders
Pharmaceutical Companies
- Infringement risk assessment: Companies with similar compounds or methods should evaluate potential infringement.
- R&D freedom: The scope indicates areas open for innovation or requiring design-around strategies.
- Partnerships and licensing: The patent's claims could be licensed or challenged, influencing deal negotiations.
Legal and Patent Positions
- Enforceability: Given the patent’s recent grant, enforcement potential is high if the claims are sufficiently specific.
- Defensibility: The patent derives strength from its claim dependency structure and technical differentiation.
Innovation Strategy
- Innovators can build upon the disclosed invention by designing around the claims.
- Considering the possible narrow scope, developing alternative compounds outside the patent claims may be feasible.
Conclusion and Recommendations
KR102761837’s scope appears to encompass a novel compound and its therapeutic use with specific structural features and formulations, positioned within a competitive but patent-rich landscape. As the patent solidifies South Korean rights, parallel patent filings and global strategy are advisable.
Key recommendations:
- Conduct detailed claims charting to identify potential overlapping patents.
- Evaluate freedom-to-operate through comprehensive prior art searches.
- Consider international patent filings to protect broader markets.
- Explore licensing opportunities with patent owners for synergistic development.
- Continuously monitor evolving patent landscape to mitigate infringement risks.
Key Takeaways
- Scope Precision: The claims likely focus on specific chemical structures and therapeutic methods, balancing breadth with validity.
- Competitive Context: The patent exists amidst a crowded landscape, requiring detailed analysis of prior art to identify freedom-to-operate.
- Strategic Positioning: The patent provides a basis for domestic monopoly but should be complemented with international patent strategies.
- Legal Enforcement: Given its recent grant, the patent has strong enforceability prospects, impacting potential infringers.
- Innovation Opportunities: R&D efforts can target areas outside the claim scope for competitive differentiation.
FAQs
Q1. How broad are the claims in KR102761837, and can competitors design around them?
The claims’ breadth likely covers specific chemical variants and therapeutic applications. Competitors can potentially innovate around these by designing structurally or functionally distinct compounds outside the claim scope.
Q2. What are the key factors influencing the patent's enforceability in South Korea?
Factors include the specificity of claims, novelty over prior art, and proper patent prosecution. The recent grant date enhances enforceability, assuming maintained compliance with renewal fees.
Q3. How does KR102761837 compare to international patents in the same field?
While specific comparisons depend on parallel filings, South Korean patents often align with global patent strategies, and similar filings in major jurisdictions can bolster market position.
Q4. What risks should companies consider regarding patent invalidity?
Prior art disclosures, lack of inventive step, or improper patent prosecution can threaten validity. Regular patent landscape and validity assessments mitigate these risks.
Q5. How can patent holders leverage KR102761837 for commercialization?
They can enforce exclusivity through litigation, negotiate licensing agreements, or use it as a foundation for further patent filings and collaborations.
References:
- South Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) patent database.
- Patent document KR102761837.
- Global patent landscape reports (e.g., WIPO PATENTSCOPE, Espacenet).
