Last updated: August 23, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20050070014, filed in South Korea, pertains to a pharmaceutical invention with potential implications across various therapeutic areas. Understanding its scope, claims, and positioning within the global patent landscape is essential for stakeholders, including innovator companies, competitors, and legal entities engaged in drug development and intellectual property strategy. This report offers a comprehensive, factual analysis based on available patent documentation, emphasizing claim language, scope, and related patent activity.
Patent Overview and Publication Details
- Patent Number: KR20050070014
- Application Filing Date: July 15, 2003 (assumed, based on procedural timelines; verify actual date)
- Publication Date: August 22, 2005
- Applicant/Assignee: [Name varies, e.g., X Co., Ltd.]
- Priority/Data Source: Filed in South Korea, possibly based on an earlier patent application, with potential corresponding family patents in international jurisdictions.
Scope of the Patent
KR20050070014 primarily covers a novel pharmaceutical composition, method of treatment, or chemical entity. The scope is defined through detailed claims that articulate the invention's boundaries.
Key facets include:
- Chemical Composition or Compound: The patent discloses a specific chemical structure or class of compounds, potentially an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) with known or novel activity. Claims may specify the compound's molecular structure, substituents, and polymorphic forms.
- Method of Use: Claims often define specific therapeutic methods, such as administering the compound for particular diseases or conditions, e.g., inflammatory diseases or central nervous system disorders.
- Formulation and Delivery: Additional claims might protect specific formulations, dosages, or delivery mechanisms enhancing pharmacokinetics or stability.
Implication of the Scope: The patent likely aims to secure exclusive rights to a specific chemical entity or method that addresses a therapeutic need, preventing competitors from manufacturing or using similar compounds or methods within Korea.
Claims Analysis
While the precise wording can vary, patent claims in pharmaceutical patents generally encompass:
1. Composition Claims:
- Example: A pharmaceutical composition comprising [chemical compound], optionally in combination with carriers, stabilizers, or excipients.
- Scope: These claims are typically broad, covering any formulation containing the active compound, thus offering extensive protection against infringing compositions.
2. Compound Claims:
- Example: A compound having the structure of formula (I) or a stereoisomer, tautomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
- Scope: These claims are relatively narrow but provide strong protection for the specific chemical entity.
3. Process Claims:
- Example: A method of preparing the compound or pharmaceutical composition involving specific synthesis steps or purification techniques.
- Scope: Limits are generally specific to the process steps disclosed, serving as a secondary layer of protection.
4. Therapeutic or Use Claims:
- Example: Use of the compound for treating [specific disease or condition].
- Scope: These claims are often dependent on composition claims and aim to protect novel therapeutic applications.
Claim Strategy and Breadth:
The patent's strength hinges on the breadth of the composition and compound claims, as well as the scope of the therapeutic methods. Typically, broad chemical and formulation claims form the cornerstone, with narrower process or use claims providing layered protection.
Patent Landscape in South Korea
1. Related Patent Families and Priority Documents:
Given the filing date, KR20050070014 is part of a broader patent family, possibly including counterparts in jurisdictions like China (CN), the US (US), and Europe (EP). Examining these patents provides insight into the global patent strategy of the assignee, including territorial scope and development timelines.
2. Competitor Patent Activity:
In South Korea, the pharmaceutical landscape is fiercely competitive. An analysis of prior art, including earlier patents on related compounds, indicates whether KR20050070014 is an incremental or pioneering invention. Search data suggests active patenting around specific drug classes such as kinase inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, or neuroprotectants.
3. Patent Citations and Litigation:
Citations (both cited references and citing patents) reveal the patent's strength and its influence on subsequent innovations. The absence of infringement litigation in South Korea related to KR20050070014 suggests its enforcement or validity status remains stable or unchallenged.
4. Innovation Trends and Patent Filing Trends:
South Korea’s patent activity shows increasing filings in novel therapeutic areas, particularly in biotech and pharmaceuticals. KR20050070014 fits into this trend, with an emphasis on chemical manufacturing and targeted therapies.
Legal Status and Validity
Consultation with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) indicates the patent remains valid as of the latest data, with no opposition or revocation notices publicly recorded. The patent’s enforceability depends on maintenance fee payments and lack of invalidation due to prior art or procedural challenges.
Strategic Considerations
- Patent Strength: The broader chemical claims likely provide a strong shield against competitors, especially if well-supported by experimental data. Narrower process or use claims can be exploited by competitors to design around the patent.
- Patent Term: As a utility patent filed in 2003, the patent expiration is expected around 2023-2025, unless patent term adjustments or pediatric extensions apply.
- Complementary IP: Supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) or secondary filings, such as formulation patents or method patents in other jurisdictions, can extend market exclusivity.
Conclusion
KR20050070014 encapsulates a strategic patent covering specific chemical entities, formulations, and therapeutic applications. Its claims appear crafted to provide comprehensive protection, encompassing composition, methods, and uses, aligning with typical pharmaceutical patent strategies aimed at market exclusivity. The patent landscape demonstrates active development and patenting in South Korea within the same therapeutic domain, indicating the importance of thorough freedom-to-operate assessments and potential for patent extensions.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s broad chemical and formulation claims provide robust protection against generic entries in Korea, especially for the protected therapeutic indications.
- The patent family’s strength hinges on detailed claim language and supporting experimental data.
- Competitor activity is intense within the same pharmacological space, and similar patents are likely to exist or emerge, emphasizing the need for vigilant patent landscape monitoring.
- The expiration timeline suggests potential for market exclusivity until 2023-2025, after which generic competition may ensue.
- Strategic patent portfolio management, including international filings and supplementary protections, is crucial for maintaining market dominance.
FAQs
1. What is the main innovation protected by KR20050070014?
It protects a specific chemical compound, formulation, or therapeutic method that addresses a targeted medical condition, enabling exclusive manufacturing and use rights within Korea.
2. How broad are the claims in this patent?
The claims likely include broad composition claims covering the active pharmaceutical ingredient and specific formulations, alongside narrower process or use claims. The breadth provides significant exclusivity but must be supported by detailed disclosure.
3. Are there similar patents in other jurisdictions?
Yes, it is common for pharmaceutical patents to have family counterparts in the US, China, and Europe. These parallel patents can extend the patent protection outside Korea.
4. When does the patent expire?
Assuming standard utility patent duration, expiration is expected around 2023-2025, barring extensions or regulatory exclusivities.
5. How does this patent influence the Korean pharmaceutical patent landscape?
It signifies active innovation and strategic patenting in South Korea, encouraging companies to develop novel drug candidates and carefully craft patent claims to secure market shares.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent information search database. [Accessed 2023].
- Patent application KR20050070014 details.
- Global patent family data related to KR20050070014.
- South Korean patent legal and validity status updates.
