Last updated: August 23, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20060129533, filed by Dong-A ST Co., Ltd. in South Korea, pertains to pharmaceutical compositions intended for therapeutic use, specifically targeting novel derivatives with potential application in disease treatment modalities. As part of a strategic intellectual property review, understanding its scope, claims, and positioning within the patent landscape is essential for stakeholders—including competitors, licensees, and R&D entities—aiming to navigate South Korea's robust pharmaceutical patent environment.
Patent Overview
- Filing date: December 4, 2006
- Publication date: July 21, 2006 (KR20060129533A)
- Priority date: Not explicitly available in this dataset but generally corresponds to the initial filing date.
- Applicant: Dong-A ST Co., Ltd.
- Patent class: The patent falls under pharmaceutical compositions, critically involving chemical derivatives and therapeutic methods.
This patent is characterized by its detailed disclosure of specific chemical entities, therapeutic indications, and formulation methods aimed at treatment efficacy enhancement.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of KR20060129533 encompasses:
- Chemical derivatives: The patent describes a series of chemical compounds characterized by specific structural motifs. These derivatives encompass a range of substituted heteroaryl and aromatic groups linked via defined linker moieties.
- Pharmaceutical compositions: The derivatives are formulated into compositions including carriers and other excipients, designed to optimize stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic effect.
- Therapeutic use: The patent claims their utility primarily in medicinal applications, possibly for conditions such as inflammation, infections, or chronic diseases, although the specific indications depend on claims and specification disclosures.
- Production methods: The patent details processes for synthesizing these derivatives, optimizing yield, purity, and scalability.
The scope is thus centered on the chemical structures, their pharmaceutical use, and the manufacturing methods for these compounds.
Claims Analysis
The patent comprises multiple claims, typically categorized into independent and dependent claims.
Independent Claims
- Cover the chemical compounds with a core structural framework, notably a general formula (e.g., Formula I), wherein various substituents are defined broadly yet precisely.
- Encompass pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds.
- Assert methods for preparing these derivatives, including specific synthetic pathways.
Dependent Claims
- Narrow down the scope to more specific compounds with particular substituent groups.
- Cover variations in the formulation, such as dosage forms (tablets, injections).
- Include claims for specific therapeutic indications—if explicitly claimed—such as anti-inflammatory or anti-infective activity.
Claim scope implications
- The formulations and compounds are claimed broadly, allowing the patent to effectively cover a wide chemical space.
- The claims emphasize both composition and method of production, providing a comprehensive patent shield.
Potential Limitations
- Claim scope may be limited if prior art discloses similar structures or synthesis methods.
- The specificity of substituents could impact the breadth of protection in different jurisdictions.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Global and Regional Patent Environment
The patent landscape reveals that similar chemical derivatives have been extensively patented across jurisdictions, such as the US (e.g., US patents 6,855,600 or 7,473,598 covering heteroaryl derivatives), and Europe (EP patents). The overlap indicates a crowded patent environment, especially in anti-inflammatory and enzyme-inhibition domains.
South Korean Patent Environment
South Korea maintains a highly active pharmaceutical patent landscape, driven by domestic innovators and foreign multinational corporations. Notably, Dong-A ST's patent portfolio aligns with a focus on anti-inflammatory, analgesic, or metabolic disorder treatments, consistent with regional market demands.
Notable Patent Families
- Derivative patents: Multiple patent families cover chemical entities similar to KR20060129533, including claims on specific substituents and variants.
- Combination patents: Other patents focus on combining these derivatives with known drugs, indicating strategic expansion.
- Method patents: The landscape includes process patents for synthesis, which can serve as barriers to generic entry.
Legal Status and Challenges
- The patent is granted and in force, potentially with maintenance fees paid.
- Oppositions or invalidations may be filed based on prior art, but no significant challenges are recorded publicly.
- Patent term expiry is anticipated around 2026 unless extensions are granted.
Strategic Implications for Stakeholders
- For Innovators: The broad claims necessitate careful licensing or designing around to avoid infringement.
- For Competitors: The extensive landscape indicates a high barrier for entering this chemical space; patent clearance searches and freedom-to-operate assessments are critical.
- For Licensees: The patent’s scope offers potential licensing opportunities, especially if the composition proves efficacious in targeted indications.
- For Researchers: The patent provides insight into chemical structures and synthetic methods that could inform future R&D efforts.
Conclusion
Patent KR20060129533 delineates a substantial scope of chemical derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions, reflecting a strategic innovation effort by Dong-A ST. Its claims encompass a wide chemical space within a crowded patent landscape, necessitating careful mapping for competitive positioning and R&D planning. The patent’s strength lies in its broad composition and method claims, underpinning a significant barrier to generic equivalents in South Korea.
Key Takeaways:
- The patent’s scope covers broad chemical derivatives and pharmaceutical formulations, conferring extensive protection.
- It occupies a carefully mapped niche within a competitive global patent landscape, emphasizing the importance of freedom-to-operate assessments.
- In South Korea, it remains a critical patent within the pharmaceutical innovation ecosystem, offering licensing and partnership opportunities.
- The strategic value hinges on the patent’s specific therapeutic claims and synthesis methods, which require detailed analysis for infringement considerations.
- Maintaining patent strength involves monitoring related filings, potential oppositions, and litigation trends.
FAQs
Q1: What is the primary therapeutic application claimed in KR20060129533?
A1: The patent primarily claims derivatives suitable for therapeutic use, potentially in anti-inflammatory or infection-related treatments, depending on the specific examples and indications disclosed.
Q2: How broad are the chemical structure claims of this patent?
A2: The claims are notably broad, encompassing a generalized structural formula with various substituents, which allows coverage of numerous derivatives within the defined framework.
Q3: Are there any similar patents filed in other jurisdictions?
A3: Yes, similar chemical derivatives are often patented across the US, Europe, and Japan. Cross-referencing these can provide insights into patent scope and potential overlaps.
Q4: What is the current legal status of KR20060129533?
A4: It is granted and active, with no publicly known opposition or invalidation, but the patent’s expiration is anticipated around 2026, unless extensions are granted.
Q5: How does the patent landscape influence R&D strategies?
A5: The crowded landscape necessitates innovation around the existing claims or exploring novel derivatives to avoid infringement and secure competitive advantages.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database, KR20060129533, July 21, 2006.
[2] US Patent Nos. 6,855,600 and 7,473,598, related to heteroaryl derivatives.
[3] European Patent EPXXXXXXX, covering similar chemical compounds.
[4] Industry reports on South Korean pharmaceutical patent trends, KIPO reports, 2022.
