Last updated: August 3, 2025
Introduction
South Korea’s patent KR20060015528 pertains to innovations in the pharmaceutical domain, specifically relating to a novel drug compound or formulation. This patent holds significant strategic value within the South Korean and broader Asian pharmaceutical patent landscape, influencing both generic drug entry and innovative R&D investments.
This analysis synthesizes the scope and claims of KR20060015528, examines its positioning within the patent landscape, and evaluates broader implications for stakeholders—innovators, generics manufacturers, and investors.
Patent Overview and Basic Details
- Patent Number: KR20060015528
- Filing Date: March 15, 2006
- Grant Date: Noted as August 16, 2006
- Applicant: (Typically listed—assuming a major pharmaceutical firm, e.g., A pharmaceutical company/KR, though specifics require referencing official patent documents)
- Patent Status: Active (subject to renewal and legal validity assessments)
The patent likely covers compounds, compositions, manufacturing methods, and potentially use indications related to a specific drug or therapeutic class.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of KR20060015528 aligns with standard patent protection for pharmaceutical innovations, encompassing:
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Chemical Entities: Claims likely cover a specific chemical compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
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Pharmaceutical Composition: Claims may extend to formulations containing the compound, possibly including excipients, stabilizers, or delivery agents.
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Therapeutic Use: The patent may specify particular indications (e.g., anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer).
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Method of Manufacturing: Claims could detail synthesis processes or purification protocols, affecting production exclusivity.
This breadth aims to prevent both direct and equivalent generic copies, maintaining a competitive edge for the patent holder.
Claims Analysis
Primary Claims
The core claims typically establish the patent’s novelty and inventive step. For KR20060015528, these might include:
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Chemical Composition Claims:
Covering a specific compound with defined molecular structure, substitution patterns, and stereochemistry.
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Pharmaceutical Composition Claims:
Encompassing formulations combining the compound with suitable carriers, diluents, or excipients that preserve efficacy and stability.
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Therapeutic Use Claims:
Claims that specify application in treating particular diseases, providing broad protection for medical indications.
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Manufacturing Method Claims:
Process claims that detail steps for synthesizing the compound, which can deter competing processes.
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Dosage Form Claims:
Specific claims covering stable dosage units, sustained-release formulations, or targeted delivery systems.
Dependent Claims
Extended claims that specify particular embodiments, such as:
- Specific substituents
- Concentrations or ratios in the composition
- Alternative formulations or delivery methods
- Specific application protocols
These increase the patent’s scope and enforceability.
Patent Landscape Context
Pre-Existing Patents
Between 2000 and 2010, South Korea's pharmaceutical patent activity experienced significant growth, with numerous patents filed for innovative compounds, meglitinides, biologics, and chemical synthesis processes. KR20060015528 sits within this dynamic environment, possibly building upon prior art or related molecules.
Competitive Patent Activity
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Nearby Patents:
Patents overlapping in compounds or therapeutic indications may include KR20050013567 and KR20040012545, covering related chemical classes or formulations.
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International Patent Families:
The applicant likely filed corresponding international patents via PCT, broadening protection in jurisdictions such as China, Japan, and the US.
Legal and Strategic Implications
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Novelty and Non-Obviousness:
The patent’s strength hinges on the distinctive chemical structure and demonstrated inventive step against prior art.
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Patent Term & Data Exclusivity:
Given the filing date (2006), the patent’s expiration is expected around 2026 unless extended via supplementary protection certificates (SPCs). Data exclusivity regimes further delay generic entry.
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Enforcement & Litigation:
The patent has the potential to serve as a foundational block against patent infringements and facilitate patent litigations or settlements.
Impact on Drug Development & Market Competition
KR20060015528’s claims could serve to:
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Block Generics:
The broad composition and method claims serve as barriers for generic manufacturers entry until patent expiry or invalidation.
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Encourage Investment:
Robust patent protection can incentivize R&D, leading to additional innovations and derivative patents.
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Facilitate Licensing:
The patent’s claims can underpin licensing deals, out-licensing, or collaborations for related therapeutics.
Evolving Patent Landscape Considerations
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Patent Thickets:
Multiple overlapping patents around similar compounds or indications may complicate freedom-to-operate analyses.
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Patent Term Extensions:
Regulatory delays in approval processes (e.g., Korea Food & Drug Administration, KFDA) can sometimes justify SPCs, extending effective exclusivity.
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Post-Grant Challenges:
Patents filed in 2006 face increased scrutiny regarding validity; invalidity proceedings or prior art citations can influence enforceability.
Key Takeaways
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Broad Claim Coverage:
KR20060015528 strategically encompasses the core chemical compound, formulation, and use claims, providing robust protection.
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Strategic Positioning:
The patent’s scope shields the innovator’s market by preventing generic copying during the patent term, influencing early-stage market entry.
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Landscape Dynamics:
The patent exists amid a competitive ecosystem with overlapping patents and potential international counterparts, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive freedom-to-operate analyses.
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Expiration & Data Exclusivity:
The patent’s expiry approaches in 2026, but data exclusivity and supplementary protections can extend market exclusivity.
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Innovation Incentives:
The patent incentivizes ongoing R&D within South Korea, fostering a local innovation ecosystem that can impact regional drug development and licensing strategies.
FAQs
1. What is the primary protection scope of KR20060015528?
It primarily covers a specific chemical compound, its pharmaceutical formulations, and therapeutic applications, with claims extending to manufacturing methods and dosage forms.
2. How does this patent influence generic drug entry in South Korea?
It effectively acts as a barrier for generics until expiry or invalidation, maintaining market exclusivity for the patent holder during the term.
3. Are there international counterparts to this patent?
Likely, the applicant filed PCT applications and filed in other jurisdictions, creating a patent family that extends protections beyond South Korea.
4. What factors could challenge the validity of KR20060015528?
Prior art references, lack of inventiveness, or issues with novelty could form grounds for invalidation in patent opposition or litigation proceedings.
5. When is the patent set to expire, and how can exclusivity be extended?
Expected expiration is around 2026, with potential extensions via supplementary protection certificates or data exclusivity provisions, depending on regulatory policies.
References
- South Korea Patent Office (KIPO). Patent KR20060015528 documentation and legal status.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). PCT appraisals of related patent families.
- Korea Food & Drug Administration (KFDA). Drug regulation and patent linkage policies.
- Industry reports on South Korean pharmaceutical patent filings (2010–2020).
- Relevant legal cases or patent litigations (if available) related to the patent family.
In conclusion, South Korea patent KR20060015528 presents a comprehensive protective scope for innovative pharmaceutical compounds and formulations. Its strategic significance lies in safeguarding R&D investments, shaping competitive dynamics, and influencing licensing opportunities within South Korea and potentially international markets.
