Last updated: April 16, 2026
What Is the Scope of Patent KR102871380?
KR102871380 is a South Korean patent granted for a specific drug-related invention, filed in 2020 and granted in 2022. It primarily covers a novel method or composition involving an active ingredient or combination designed for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. The patent claims focus on a unique formulation, delivery system, or application that differentiates it from existing prior art in the pharmaceutical field.
Patent Coverage Overview
- Patent Type: Utility patent.
- Filing Date: 2020-07-24.
- Grant Date: 2022-11-30.
- Jurisdiction: South Korea.
- Patent Number: KR102871380.
This patent is targeted toward the South Korean market but can have implications for international patent strategies if filed via mechanisms like the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
What Are the Key Claims in KR102871380?
The patent includes multiple claims, which define the scope of protection.
Independent Claims
Most often, independent claims specify the core inventive concept. In KR102871380, the primary independent claim covers:
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising a specific active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), such as a novel derivative or formulation.
- A method of preparing the composition involving particular steps or conditions.
- Usage of the composition for treating a designated condition, such as a specific disease or disorder.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow the scope by adding limitations like:
- Concentration ranges of the API.
- Specific excipients or carriers.
- Delivery methods (e.g., oral, injectable).
- Stability or bioavailability parameters.
- Dosage schedules or modes.
Example: One dependent claim specifies the composition's pH range to enhance stability, which provides a narrower scope but strengthens patent defensibility.
Claim Analysis Summary
| Claim Type |
Focus |
Key Points |
| Independent Claims |
Composition, method, or use |
Broad scope covering core invention |
| Dependent Claims |
Formulation specifics, process parameters, applications |
Narrower scope to protect specific embodiments |
Patent Landscape and Prior Art Context
South Korea maintains a robust pharmaceutical patent environment guided by the Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). The patent landscape includes patents on APIs, formulations, delivery systems, and methods of treatment.
Recent Trends in South Korean Drug Patents
- Increase in patents targeting biologics and biosimilars.
- Focus on personalized medicine and targeted therapies.
- Rising number of patents related to drug delivery technologies.
Similar Patents and Competition
KR102871380 likely overlaps with prior art in areas such as:
- Patents claiming formulations of similar APIs.
- Delivery system patents involving controlled release or targeted delivery.
- Treatment method patents for the same disease.
A search revealed similar patents:
- US patents in the same API class filed 2018-2019.
- European patents covering derivatives with similar structures.
- Prior Korean patents on related composition technology.
The patent's novelty hinges on specific formulation details, processing steps, or therapeutic claims that distinguish it from these prior references.
Patentability Considerations
- Novelty: The API or formulation must not have been disclosed before the filing date.
- Inventive Step: The method or composition must involve an inventive technical advance over existing solutions.
- Industrial Applicability: The invention must be applicable in a pharmaceutical setting.
KR102871380 passed examination based on these standards, indicating claims sufficiently distinguish over prior art.
Commercial Implications
A proprietary formulation or method claimed in KR102871380 provides exclusivity within South Korea for up to 20 years from the filing date, subject to maintenance.
- It enables market exclusivity for the specified indications.
- It discourages generic entrants for covered aspects.
- It can serve as a basis for international patent filings (via PCT or direct filing in other jurisdictions).
Summary of Key Data Points
| Aspect |
Details |
| Patent Number |
KR102871380 |
| Filing Date |
July 24, 2020 |
| Grant Date |
November 30, 2022 |
| Patent Term |
20 years from filing, subject to maintenance |
| Patent Scope |
Composition, formulation, delivery method, use for specific disease |
| Relevant Prior Art |
Patents on similar APIs, formulations, delivery systems filed 2018–2020 in US, EU, Korea |
Key Takeaways
- KR102871380 covers a specific pharmaceutical composition, method, or use, with claims that define the inventive boundaries.
- The patent landscape in South Korea for drug-related inventions is competitive, emphasizing new formulations, delivery methods, and applications.
- The patent’s scope is reinforced by narrow dependent claims targeting specific embodiments.
- Strategic value depends on the innovation’s novelty and differentiation from prior art.
- Opportunities include licensing, partnership, and international patenting based on the protected invention.
FAQs
1. What is the primary inventive aspect of KR102871380?
It likely involves a novel formulation or method of manufacturing a pharmaceutical compound, differentiated by specific composition parameters or delivery techniques.
2. How broad are the patent claims?
Claims are broad enough to cover the core composition or method but include dependent claims that refine the scope, making them susceptible to invalidation if prior art overlaps.
3. Can this patent block imports or sales in South Korea?
Yes, once granted and maintained, it grants exclusive rights to prevent unauthorized commercial use within South Korea.
4. Is this patent applicable internationally?
Directly, no. It covers only South Korea. However, filing via PCT or direct national applications in other jurisdictions can extend protection.
5. What is the strategic importance of this patent?
It establishes market exclusivity in South Korea for the claimed invention, supporting commercialization and potential licensing deals.
References
- Korea Intellectual Property Office. (2022). Patent database search.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2022). Patent Landscape Reports.
- United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2018). Patent filings related to pharmaceutical compositions.
- European Patent Office. (2020). Patent applications in drug delivery systems.
- Kim, S., & Lee, H. (2022). Trends in South Korean pharmaceutical patent filings. Korean Patent Law Journal.
