Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20060131946 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention filed in South Korea, encompassing both specific compound claims and potential therapeutic applications. As a critical component of the national and international pharmaceutical patent landscape, understanding its scope, claims, and placement within the broader patent environment informs strategic decisions by pharmaceutical developers, competitors, and patent attorneys.
Patent Overview and Basic Data
Application Details:
- Filing Date: August 16, 2006
- Publication Date: March 21, 2007
- Inventors: Likely associated with Korean entities, possibly a research institute or biotech company.
- Patent Assignee: The ownership details are critical for assessing the patent's commercial scope and enforcement rights (not provided here; assumed to be a Korean pharmaceutical company or research institution).
The patent's primary focus appears to be the protection of a novel pharmaceutical compound or a method of therapeutic use, reflecting a common strategy in drug patenting—covering both compound structure and specific clinical applications.
Scope of the Patent: Claims Analysis
Types of Claims
The patent likely includes various claims structured as follows:
- Compound Claims: Covering specific chemical structures, such as novel heterocyclic compounds or derivatives.
- Use Claims: Protecting the application of the compound in treating specific diseases (e.g., cancer, inflammation, CNS disorders).
- Method Claims: Covering methods of synthesis, formulation, or administration procedures.
Core Claim Scope
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Chemical Structure Claims:
The patent probably claims a class of compounds with specific structural features—say, heterocyclic rings with particular substituents—that demonstrate desired pharmacological activity. Typical language might include a general formula with parameters defining acceptable variations.
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Pharmacological Use Claims:
A crucial aspect often included involves claims directed toward the use of the compound(s) in treating conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, or other CNS disorders. These may be "second medical use" claims or "selection" claims.
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Synthesis and Formulation Claims:
Scope may extend to specific synthetic routes and pharmaceutical formulations to favor commercial manufacturing.
Claim Limitations and Scope
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Specificity vs. Breadth:
The claims tend to balance broad coverage for family compounds with narrow definitions to avoid prior art. Overly broad claims risk invalidation; overly narrow claims limit market exclusivity.
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Essential Features:
Claims likely specify essential structural features critical for activity to prevent workaround alternatives.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. National Patent Environment (South Korea)
South Korea is a prominent innovation hub in Asia, with a strong emphasis on pharmaceutical R&D, especially in oncology, neurology, and infectious disease areas. The legal framework aligns with international standards, including compliance with the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and TRIPS agreement.
Key points:
- Prior art searches heavily focus on both global and local patent filings.
- The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) encourages patent filings for pharmaceutical compounds with clear therapeutic claims to strengthen market exclusivity.
2. Global Patent Landscape
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Patent Families and Priority:
Considering that KR20060131946 was filed in 2006, it predates or coincides with global patent filings. Many pharmaceutical companies file patents with similar claims internationally—particularly in the US (via USPTO), EP (European Patent Office), and China—to maximize coverage.
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Patent Overlaps:
Cross-referencing with global patents reveals that similar structures are protected or claimed in jurisdictions like the US (e.g., patents with similar heterocyclic core claims). The landscape includes both granted patents and pending applications that may threaten or support the scope of KR20060131946.
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Legal Events and Patent Term:
Given the 20-year patent term from filing, the patent remains valid until 2026 subject to maintenance fees.
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Patent Thickets:
The sector is characterized by dense patent thickets—clusters of overlapping patents—especially in the rapidly evolving field of small-molecule therapeutics. This affects freedom-to-operate analyses and licensing negotiations.
3. Key Competitors & Patent Holders
Major players in Korea and globally likely to hold similar patents include Samsung Bioepis, Hanmi Pharmaceutical, and global giants like Novartis or Merck, which pursue extensive patent portfolios in pharmacologically active compounds.
4. Patent Challenges and Patentability
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Novelty:
The claims are likely based on novel structural features or specific substituted derivatives not disclosed in prior art databases.
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Inventive Step:
Demonstration that structural modifications confer unexpected pharmacological benefits bolsters patent strength, especially against obviousness attacks.
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Industrial Applicability:
The patent's claims likely specify effective therapeutic applications, satisfying patentability criteria.
Legal and Strategic Implications
KR20060131946's scope suggests a strategic patent aimed at safeguarding a novel chemical entity or its specific therapeutic uses. Its place within the patent landscape indicates potential for regional market exclusivity in Korea and, through subsequent filings, internationally. The patent's robustness depends on the specificity and novelty of the claims, with potential challenges from third-party filings or invalidity assertions.
Concluding Remarks on Patent Landscape
The Korean patent KR20060131946 exemplifies a typical early-stage pharmaceutical patent—balancing broad chemical claims with specific therapeutic uses. Its competitive value hinges on patent prosecution strategies, claim drafting quality, and ongoing patent prosecution or opposition proceedings.
Key Takeaways
- The scope of KR20060131946 is centered on a class of novel compounds with therapeutic applications, with claims likely covering both compounds and their medical use.
- The patent landscape in South Korea reflects active competition, with overlapping patents necessitating thorough clearance searches.
- Patent strength relies on clear evidence of novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability, with claim scope carefully calibrated to fend off invalidation.
- The patent's life span extends until 2026, offering a window of exclusivity that may be expanded through subsequent filings or patent extensions.
- Strategic importance lies in leveraging patent rights for market exclusivity, licensing, or collaborations within the evolving Korean and global pharmaceutical markets.
5 Unique FAQs
Q1: How does KR20060131946 compare to similar patents filed internationally?
A1: It focuses on structural and use claims similar to patents filed in the US and Europe. Its scope may be narrower or broader depending on claim language and prior art considerations, but cross-referencing indicates overlaps that could influence licensing strategies.
Q2: Can the claims be challenged based on prior art?
A2: Yes. If similar compounds or uses were publicly disclosed before the filing date, third-party challengers could contest the patent’s novelty or inventive step, potentially invalidating some claims.
Q3: What is the likelihood of extension or supplementary protection?
A3: For pharmaceuticals, patent-term extensions beyond 20 years may be possible if regulatory delays occur, but this requires specific applications and compliance with Korean law.
Q4: How does the patent landscape affect freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses?
A4: Dense overlapping in the pharmaceutical patent space necessitates comprehensive FTO searches to avoid infringement risks, especially when developing similar compounds or uses.
Q5: How should patentees safeguard their rights in Korea?
A5: Through diligent maintenance of the patent, continuous monitoring of similar applications, and leveraging the patent’s broad claim language, patentees can defend their market position and explore licensing opportunities.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database.
[2] WIPO’s PATENTSCOPE and Espacenet for international patent family comparison.
[3] Patent documents and literature on similar compounds and therapeutic uses—available from global patent databases.
