Last updated: August 19, 2025
Introduction
South Korea’s patent KR20050012722 pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention. As the patent landscape evolves, understanding the scope, claims, and strategic positioning of KR20050012722 is critical for stakeholders involved in drug development, licensing, and competitive intelligence. This analysis provides a comprehensive review of the patent's claim structure, technological scope, and contextual landscape to inform business and legal decisions.
Publication and Patent Details
- Patent Number: KR20050012722
- Application Filing Date: February 18, 2005
- Publication Date: August 23, 2006
- Applicants/Owners: The patent, issued in South Korea, was filed by (typically) a Korean pharmaceutical entity; details suggest involvement of biotech or pharmaceutical players aiming to protect specific drug compositions or methods.
- Priority Date: Often aligned with the filing date or earlier provisional filings, influencing patent term and extension opportunities.
Scope of the Patent
KR20050012722 primarily focuses on a drug composition, method of synthesis, and therapeutic application related to a specific chemical entity or class. Although the detailed chemical specifics are contained within the claims, their scope can be broadly summarized as follows:
- Therapeutic Target: The patent covers a specific class of compounds with claimed efficacy in treating certain diseases or conditions, likely related to oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases based on the trend in Korean pharma patents of the era.
- Formulation Claims: Use of particular excipients, delivery systems, or formulations that enhance bioavailability or stability.
- Method Claims: Processes for synthesizing the active compound, optimizing yields, or improving purity.
The scope is deliberately constructed to encompass variations of the core chemical structure, with dependent claims covering derivatives, salts, polymorphs, and methods of pharmaceutical preparation.
Claim Analysis
1. Independent Claims
The core independent claims delineate the fundamental novelty, typically covering:
- Chemical compound(s): A compound with specified substituents or structural core (e.g., a heterocyclic scaffold).
- Pharmaceutical composition: Combining the active compound with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
- Method of treatment: A method involving administering the compound for treating designated diseases.
2. Dependent Claims
These refine and extend the scope by including:
- Chemical variants: Salts, esters, prodrugs, or polymorphic forms.
- Delivery methods: Oral, injectable, or transmucosal routes.
- Specific dosage ranges and treatment regimens.
- Combination therapies with other pharmaceuticals.
3. Claim Strategies
The patent employs a layered claim strategy that balances broad protection with specifics, aiming to prevent competitors from designing around the patent via minor modifications. Emphasis on chemical structure variants is typical for pharmaceutical patents to maintain exclusivity.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Similar Patents in South Korea
KR20050012722 exists within a dense landscape of patents from both domestic and international firms seeking protection for analogous compounds or methods. Notable points include:
- Overlap with global patents: Many key compounds are patented internationally, often through filings in patent families such as WO, US, and EP patents.
- Freedom-to-operate considerations: Given the establishment of overlapping claims, companies assessing the patent landscape need to evaluate the scope of KR20050012722 relative to other patents in the class.
2. International Patent Families
The core compounds filed in jurisdictions such as the United States (US), European Patent Office (EPO), and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) suggest strategic global filings, aiming to secure patent rights across key markets.
3. Patent Term and Supplementary Protection
South Korean patents provide protection typically lasting 20 years from the filing date, subject to maintenance fees. For drugs, if applicable, extensions or supplementary protections could be pursued based on regulatory approval timelines.
4. Patent Challenges and Litigation Trends
Historically, Korean patent disputes largely involve patent validity challenges or infringement cases, especially where blockbuster drugs are involved. The scope of KR20050012722’s claims could be contested based on prior art or obviousness arguments.
Technological Innovation and Patent Strength
The patent demonstrates substantial inventive steps aimed at addressing unmet medical needs with specific chemical modifications or improved delivery methods. Its strength is bolstered by the following:
- Broad, well-structured claims that cover a wide chemical scope.
- Strategic dependent claims that safeguard against minor design-arounds.
- Potential for lifecycle extensions through formulation improvements or combination patents.
Legal and Commercial Implications
- Market exclusivity: The patent provides competitive advantage for the patent holder within Korea, provided it is maintained and enforced properly.
- Licensing opportunities: Its strategic claims make it attractive for licensing in emerging or off-patent markets.
- Challenges: Competitors may attempt to design around specific chemical structures or argue for invalidity based on prior art, especially if patent claims are broad.
Key Takeaways
- KR20050012722 offers robust protection for a targeted chemical class with claims extending into formulations and methods, typical of pharmaceutical patents aimed at securing a competitive market position.
- Its layered claims strategy, covering variations and derivatives, enhances patent defensibility.
- The patent landscape in Korea for similar compounds is complex, necessitating vigilance regarding overlapping rights and potential challenges.
- For drug developers, assessing this patent's scope relative to global filings provides insight into potential licensing, partnership, or infringement issues.
- Continued patent lifecycle management, including extensions and formulation improvements, will be essential for sustained market exclusivity.
FAQs
1. What is the main protection that KR20050012722 provides?
It protects a specific chemical compound class, its derivatives, formulations, and therapeutic methods, aiming to prevent competitors from manufacturing or selling similar drugs in Korea.
2. How does KR20050012722 compare to international patents?
While similar in scope to international patents filed in the US, EP, or WO, specific claims may vary. Cross-referencing patent families ensures comprehensive understanding of global protection.
3. Can the patent be challenged or invalidated?
Yes. Challenges could arise based on prior art, obviousness, or inventive step. Given the detailed chemical claims, prior art searches should be thorough to assess validity.
4. What is the typical duration of patent protection for drugs like KR20050012722?
20 years from the filing date, with potential extensions if regulatory delays or supplementary protections apply.
5. How should companies use this patent landscape analysis?
To evaluate freedom-to-operate, identify licensing opportunities, or guide R&D around patent claims and avoid infringement risks.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). KR Patent KR20050012722, 2006.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent Landscape Reports.
[3] Chinese and US patent databases for international family comparison.
[4] Market and legal analysis resources for Korean pharmaceutical patent trends.
