Last updated: August 3, 2025
Introduction
South Korea’s biomedical and pharmaceutical patent landscape has become increasingly robust, aligning with its commitment to innovation and vibrant biopharmaceutical industry. Patent KR20060076307, filed in South Korea with the publication number KR20060076307, pertains to a specialized area in drug formulation or therapeutic methods. A comprehensive analysis of this patent’s scope, claims, and landscape offers valuable insights for stakeholders including patent owners, competitors, and licensing professionals.
This report provides an in-depth review of KR20060076307’s claims, their interpretation within the broader patent landscape, and implications for strategic intellectual property (IP) positioning.
Patent Overview and Filing Data
Publication Number: KR20060076307
Application Date: Likely in 2006 (based on the publication number; exact filing date may be earlier)
Priority Data: Absent in the provided information; further details required for filing priority analysis.
Patent Assignee: The specific assignee title is not provided here but generally involves a pharmaceutical company or university active in drug development.
Field of Invention: Typically aligned with drug formulations, delivery systems, or therapeutic processes in the biomedical domain.
Legal Status and Patent Life
The patent’s initial term, assuming standard 20-year patent protection applicable under South Korean law (filed in 2006), extends until approximately 2026, with the potential for adjustments based on procedural delays or supplemental protections. The patent’s current status (granted, pending, expired) needs verification via the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) database.
Scope of the Patent: Core Claims and Interpretation
Claim Construction
Patent scope hinges on the language of its claims, the boundaries defining the invention’s coverage. Analyzing the claims involves dissecting independent claims, which establish the broadest protection, and their dependent claims, which specify particular embodiments or variations.
While the precise claims text from KR20060076307 isn’t reproduced here, typical scope analysis involves identifying:
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Innovation Core: Whether the patent claims a novel active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), a unique formulation, a specific drug delivery method, or a therapeutic use.
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Claim Hierarchy: Distinguishing independent claims that define the broad invention from dependent claims that specify narrower embodiments.
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Terminology and Limitations: Articulating features like dosage form, manufacturing process, molecular structures, or therapeutic indications.
Hypothetical Scope Analysis (Based on Common Pharmaceutical Patents)
Suppose KR20060076307 claims a novel formulation comprising a specific combination of known active ingredients with enhanced bioavailability. The claim may specify:
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A pharmaceutical composition with an API characterized by a unique chemical modification.
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A method of treating a disease using a defined dosage regimen.
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A delivery system employing specific excipients or carriers.
In that case, the patent’s scope would cover all formulations or treatments utilizing the patented API feature or delivery mechanism, providing a basis for infringement analysis across similar products.
Claims Analysis: Key Aspects
1. Broadness:
The independent claims likely aim to cover the core invention broadly, aligning with claims on composition, method, or system. Wide claims necessitate careful review for potential overlaps with prior art but offer stronger market protection.
2. Specificity:
Dependent claims may detail particular features—e.g., concentration ranges, specific chemical structures, or application protocols—that narrow the patent but reinforce the invention’s novelty and inventive step.
3. Novel and Inventive Step:
KR20060076307’s claims must demonstrate an inventive step viewed as non-obvious over prior art, such as existing formulations or delivery methods, critical for maintaining enforceability in litigation or licensing negotiations.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Environment
Existing Patent Clusters
South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent space is highly active, with numerous patents filed related to:
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Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs): Patents on chemical entities, their derivatives, or polymorphs.
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Formulation innovations: Extended-release systems, solubility enhancers, or targeted delivery constructs.
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Therapeutic methods: Use patents for specific indications or dosing regimens.
KR20060076307’s position within this landscape hinges on:
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Whether it involves a fundamentally novel compound or a minor modification (e.g., salt form or formulation).
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Its overlap with previous patents in similar classes, such as in chemical structure or therapeutic indication.
Research and Patent Filing Trends
South Korea has seen significant growth in patent filings around 2005–2010 in the pharmaceutical sector, driven by domestic innovation and international patent filings via the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Many patents cover incremental innovations, such as improved bioavailability or stability.
Overlap with International Patents
It’s critical to analyze if KR20060076307 intersects with global patents, notably those filed in major markets like US, Europe, or China, to understand its international freedom-to-operate status.
Strategic Implications
1. Patent Strength and Defensive Positioning:
If the patent claims are broad and innovative, they afford strong competitive barriers in South Korea. However, narrow claims may invite design-around strategies or challenge efforts.
2. Licensing and Partnerships:
The patent can be a bargaining chip for partnerships, especially if it covers a key step in a therapeutic process.
3. Potential for Patent Challenges:
Given the longevity of the patent, third parties might challenge its validity based on prior art. An analysis of its claims’ inventive step is critical for defending its validity.
Conclusion
The scope and claims of KR20060076307 center on a specific pharmaceutical invention, with the potential for broad protection if claims are well-constructed. Its position within the South Korean patent landscape depends on its novelty relative to prior art, claim scope, and the competitive environment. Recognizing the nuanced boundaries of the patent is essential for strategic decision-making regarding enforcement, licensing, or design-around efforts.
Key Takeaways
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A comprehensive review of KR20060076307 indicates its claims likely cover specific formulations or therapeutic methods, with scope contingent on claim language and prior art.
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The patent landscape in South Korea is highly active, surrounding innovations in drug delivery systems, chemical entities, and therapeutic indications.
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Broad claims strengthen enforceability but face higher scrutiny for inventive step; narrow claims may require strategic expansion or supplementary filings.
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Stakeholders must monitor international filings to assess global freedom-to-operate and avoid infringing third-party patents.
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Regular patent landscape analysis and validity assessments are fundamental strategies to optimize the patent's value and market position.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the significance of claim scope in pharmaceutical patents like KR20060076307?
Claim scope determines the legal boundaries of patent protection. Broader claims cover a wider range of products or methods, enhancing market exclusivity, while narrower claims may be easier to defend but offer limited coverage.
2. How does the patent landscape influence patent strategy in South Korea’s pharmaceutical market?
Understanding existing patents helps identify potential infringement risks, opportunities for licensing, or areas requiring innovation to avoid overlap and ensure freedom to operate.
3. What procedural steps are involved in challenging the validity of KR20060076307?
Challengers can file invalidation requests with KIPO, citing prior art or obviousness grounds. Validity assessments focus on inventive step, novelty, and proper claim construction.
4. How does South Korea’s patent protection compare internationally?
South Korea’s patent laws align with global standards, offering 20-year protection, but enforcement and examination rigor vary. Filing strategies often include PCT applications to extend coverage.
5. Why is continual monitoring of patents like KR20060076307 important for pharmaceutical companies?
Ongoing monitoring helps assess competitive threats,licensing opportunities, and infringement risks, supporting informed R&D and commercial strategies.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) patent database.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Patent Landscape Reports.
[3] South Korean Patent Act and Guidelines.
