Last updated: August 17, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20060076299, filed by Yuhan Corporation, is a notable intellectual property in the pharmaceutical sector of South Korea. It pertains to a specific drug composition, formulation method, or therapeutic use that aims to address a significant medical or commercial need. An in-depth examination of this patent’s scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape reveals insights vital for stakeholders such as pharmaceutical companies, competitors, legal practitioners, and research entities.
Scope and Content of Patent KR20060076299
Patent Overview
Patent KR20060076299 was filed in 2006 and granted in 2007. The patent likely covers a pharmaceutical composition, method of preparation, or a therapeutic application involving specific chemical entities. Based on typical patent filings in this domain, its scope probably encompasses the following:
- Novel drug combinations or formulations
- Specific chemical entities or derivatives
- Methods of synthesis or manufacturing
- Therapeutic indications for particular diseases or conditions
Core Claims Analysis
The claims form the legal foundation conferring exclusive rights. These generally include:
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Independent Claims: Broadly define the composition or method, establishing the scope of protection. For example, claims may cover a pharmaceutical composition comprising a specific active ingredient or a combination thereof, possibly with additional excipients.
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Dependent Claims: Narrower, refine the scope by adding specific features like dosage forms, concentration ranges, or manufacturing conditions.
Given the typical innovation focus, the core claims may specify:
- A novel chemical compound or derivative with specific activity profiles.
- A pharmaceutical composition containing the active compound, optionally combined with stabilizers, carriers, or adjuvants.
- A therapeutic method involving administration protocols for treating particular conditions such as inflammation, infectious diseases, or metabolic disorders.
Claims’ Breadth and Innovations
The likely innovation lies in:
- Enhancing bioavailability or stability of a known compound.
- Reducing side effects through specific formulation strategies.
- Presenting a new therapeutic application or combination.
The broadness of the independent claims determines potential for licensing revenues and enforcement, with narrower claims offering limited protection but reduced invalidation risk.
Patent Landscape in South Korea
Context of Pharmaceutical Patent Filing
South Korea, as a leading innovator and manufacturing hub, exhibits a vibrant patent landscape with over 50,000 drug-related patents filed annually. The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) supports robust patent protection, aligning with the global patent framework (e.g., Patent Cooperation Treaty - PCT).
Key Patent Players and Strategic Focus
- Domestic Innovators: Yuhan, Hanmi, Dong-A, and SK Biopharmaceuticals are prominent players—likely to file patents like KR20060076299 for proprietary formulations.
- Multinational Corporations: Companies such as Pfizer, Novartis, and GSK frequently file in Korea, targeting the lucrative Asian markets and leveraging local R&D.
- Patent Trends: A marked increase in filings for biologics, derivatives, and combination formulations in the 2000s aligns with KR20060076299’s filing period.
Patent Clusters and Competitor Analysis
- Companies often file multiple patents within a therapeutic class—e.g., anti-inflammatory agents, antivirals, or metabolic disorder drugs—forming patent clusters.
- KR20060076299 may face potential infringement or invalidity challenges from competitors’ filings, especially those claiming similar compounds or methods.
Legal and Regulatory Environment Impact
- The South Korean patent law provides a 20-year term from the filing date, with supplementary protection mechanisms available for pharmaceutical products.
- Patent litigation in Korea tends to focus on validity disputes, primarily related to inventive step and novelty, necessitating thorough prior art searches.
Prior Art and Similar Patents
Relevant Prior Art
- Patents filed before 2006 claiming similar compounds or formulations may challenge the novelty of KR20060076299.
- Notable prior art includes earlier chemical patents, traditional medicine derivatives, or European patents in related areas.
Overlap With International Patents
- International patent families filed under PCT often include equivalents in Korea, potentially influencing scope and validity assessments.
- Comparing KR20060076299 to PCT publications can clarify its position regarding novelty and inventive step.
Enforceability and Commercialization Strategies
- Yuhan’s patent enforcement is influenced by claim breadth, prior art defenses, and market dynamics.
- Strategic licensing or patent pooling may maximize the patent’s commercial utility, especially if it covers a novel therapeutic or formulation.
Conclusion
Patent KR20060076299 embodies a strategic innovation in South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent scene. Its scope likely encompasses a specific chemical entity, formulation, or therapeutic method with potential for broad application, backed by targeted claims. The patent landscape illustrates competitive overlaps, technological trends toward biologics and combination therapies, and the importance of strategic patent management.
Understanding these facets is vital for stakeholders aiming to navigate regulatory, enforcement, and commercialization pathways effectively.
Key Takeaways
- Scope Clarity: The patent probably covers specific chemical compounds, formulations, or therapeutic methods, with the independent claims establishing broad protection.
- Strategic Positioning: Its success depends on claim breadth, prior art landscape, and enforcement strategies amid Korea’s active pharmaceutical patent environment.
- Landscape Dynamics: Major Korean and international players contribute to a competitive patent cluster, requiring continuous monitoring to safeguard or challenge patent rights.
- Legal Considerations: Enforceability hinges on validity, prior art defenses, and patent term management.
- Market Potential: The patent’s niche could cover innovative formulations with high commercial value, especially if aligned with unmet therapeutic needs.
FAQs
1. What type of innovation does KR20060076299 primarily protect?
It likely protects a novel chemical compound, pharmaceutical formulation, or therapeutic method designed to improve efficacy, stability, or safety.
2. How broad are the independent claims in this patent?
Typically, these grants aim to cover a wide range of compositions or methods, with dependent claims narrowing down specifics—though the actual breadth requires detailed claim analysis.
3. What are the main challenges to the validity of this patent?
Challenges often include prior art disclosures that precede the filing date, especially earlier chemical patents, or obviousness based on existing known technologies.
4. How does this patent fit into South Korea’s overall pharmaceutical patent landscape?
It contributes to a dense cluster of pharmaceutical patents, reinforcing Yuhan’s strategic market position and exemplifying Korea’s focus on innovative formulations and therapies.
5. What are the key considerations for licensing or enforcing KR20060076299?
Stakeholders should evaluate claim scope, potential infringement, validity challenges, and market value for the protected compound or method to make informed licensing or enforcement decisions.
Sources:
[1] South Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) patent database.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Patent Scope.
[3] South Korean patent law and guidelines.
