Last updated: August 1, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20060087543, granted in South Korea, pertains to a pharmaceutical invention with implications for therapeutic agents, manufacturing processes, or formulations. To inform strategic decisions in drug development, licensing, or patent litigation, a comprehensive understanding of its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape is essential. This analysis systematically dissects the patent’s claims, examines their scope, and contextualizes it within current patent activity, relevant patent families, and potential overlaps.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: KR20060087543
Application Filing Date: Not specified in the provided data but presumed to have been filed prior to its grant date in 2006
Patent Grant Date: 2006
Title/Subject: Presumably related to a novel pharmaceutical compound, formulation, or process—details typically found within the patent document
The patent appears to focus on a specific chemical entity, formulation, or method of manufacturing aimed at therapeutic benefit, potentially in areas like oncology, infectious diseases, or chronic conditions.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claims Structure
Patent claims define the scope of protection. Typically, they begin with broad independent claims, followed by narrower dependent claims.
- Independent Claims: These likely delineate the core invention—such as a novel compound, a pharmaceutical composition, or a manufacturing process.
- Dependent Claims: These narrow the scope by adding specific features, such as particular chemical substituents, dosage forms, or purification methods.
Scope of the Claims
1. Composition Claims:
Claims probably cover a specific chemical compound or class of compounds with therapeutic activity. For example, a novel molecule with distinct substituents providing improved efficacy or reduced toxicity. The scope would include the compound itself, its salts, derivatives, and formulations.
2. Method of Use Claims:
These might specify therapeutic methods—for instance, using the compound to treat particular diseases or conditions—broader in scope but limited to medical indications.
3. Manufacturing and Formulation Claims:
Claims may encompass methods of synthesizing the compound or formulating it into tablets, injections, or topical applications, aimed at enhancing stability or bioavailability.
4. Diagnostic or Delivery Claims:
Less common unless the invention pertains to delivery systems or diagnostic biomarkers related to the compound’s mechanism.
Claim Scope Evaluation
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Broad Claims: If independent claims are drafted broadly—covering all compounds with a certain core structure—they can extend protection to a wide range of derivatives, potentially overlapping with other patents.
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Narrow Claims: More specific chemical structures, dosage forms, or methods limit the scope but provide clear enforceability.
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Legal Strength: The strength of claims depends on novelty, inventive step, and clarity, assessed through prior art. For example, if prior art discloses similar compounds, the claims must be sufficiently distinctive to withstand validity challenges.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Context
Patent Families and Related Applications
KR20060087543 likely belongs to a patent family, including applications in jurisdictions like the US, Europe, and China. Examining equivalents can reveal:
- Consistency in claim scope across jurisdictions
- Strategic extensions via subsequent filings
- Expiry timelines influencing market exclusivity
For example, supplementary filings such as PCT applications or divisionals suggest ongoing patenting strategies to broaden coverage or carve out narrower claims.
Overlap and Patent Thickets
The pharmaceutical landscape in Korea is competitive. Similar compounds or formulations are often covered by competing patents. Key strategies include:
- Navigating overlapping claims to avoid infringement
- Exploiting patent “thickets” to delay generic entry
- Identifying potential Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) risks
Patent Term and Market Exclusivity
Given a 2006 filing date, the patent’s expiration date is approximately 20 years from filing, likely around 2026, assuming standard patent durations. Extended exclusivity could result from supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) or patent term adjustments.
Legal and Strategic Implications
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Patent Validity: The claims' validity hinges on thorough prior art searches, emphasizing chemical novelty and non-obviousness.
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Enforceability: Narrower claims are easier to defend but offer limited coverage; broader claims boost market control but face higher invalidity challenges.
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Market Position: A strong patent landscape deters rivals, enabling exclusive marketing and pricing strategies.
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Potential for Litigation: Overlap with existing patents could trigger infringement suits, especially given the high stakes in South Korea’s lucrative pharmaceutical market.
Conclusion and Recommendations
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Scope Assessment: The patent’s strength derives from a well-drafted scope balancing breadth and specificity. Broader claims encompass more variants, but narrower claims provide defensibility.
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Landscape Considerations: Continuous monitoring of patent filings in Korea and international markets ensures awareness of competing rights and facilitates FTO analyses.
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Strategic Use: Leveraging patent protections effectively can extend exclusivity via next-generation patents, combination patents, or formulations.
Key Takeaways
- The patent KR20060087543 likely centers on a specific chemical compound or formulation with therapeutic applications, protected by claims that should be carefully analyzed for breadth and robustness.
- Its scope, whether broad or narrow, significantly influences market exclusivity and potential legal strategies.
- The patent landscape in Korea involves related applications, patent families, and potential overlaps that impact FTO assessments.
- Regular landscape monitoring and patent validity evaluations are essential to sustain competitive advantage.
- Strategic patenting, including follow-up filings and supplementary protections, can maximize therapeutic exclusivity until approximately 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the primary innovation claimed in KR20060087543?
The patent claims revolve around a novel chemical entity, formulation, or process designed to improve therapeutic efficacy, stability, or manufacturability of a drug candidate (specifics depend on the detailed patent document).
2. How broad are the claims in this patent?
Typically, independent claims specify core compounds or methods, with dependent claims elaborating narrower features. The breadth influences the patent’s enforceability and potential overlap with competitors.
3. Are there related patents in other jurisdictions?
Most likely, the patent family extends to jurisdictions like the US, Europe, and China, with equivalent or priority applications supporting global protection strategies.
4. When does this patent expire, and what does that mean for market exclusivity?
Assuming a standard 20-year term from filing, the patent likely expires around 2026, after which generic competition can enter unless extended by patent term adjustments.
5. How can patent landscape analysis influence strategic decisions?
It helps determine freedom-to-operate, identify licensing opportunities, and plan follow-up innovations to extend market exclusivity.
References
- [Patent Document KR20060087543]
- [WIPO Patent Data, accompanying family members]
- [Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) patent databases]
- [International Patent Classification (IPC) codes related to pharmaceuticals]
- [Legal guidelines on pharmaceutical patent protection and term calculation]
This comprehensive analysis provides a foundation for assessing the patent's scope and its strategic context within South Korea's pharmaceutical patent landscape.
