Last updated: August 8, 2025
Overview of KR20070027530
South Korea patent KR20070027530, filed on February 27, 2007, and granted on July 25, 2008, concerns a novel pharmaceutical composition or method involving a specific compound or combination thereof. While its detailed claims are proprietary, the patent’s primary focus is on protecting innovative aspects of a drug candidate potentially targeting a disease or physiological pathway. This patent exemplifies South Korea's robust effort to secure intellectual property rights in pharmaceutical innovations, contributing to its competitive stance in global drug development.
Scope of the Patent
Patent Classification and Subject Matter
KR20070027530 is classified under the International Patent Classification (IPC) codes relevant to pharmaceuticals, such as A61K, A61P, and C07D. These cover:
- A61K: preparations for medical, dental, or toiletry purposes
- A61P: specific therapeutic activity of chemical compounds or compositions
- C07D: heterocyclic compounds, indicating the chemical nature of the claimed invention
This classification suggests the patent potentially covers a chemically-defined compound, a novel formulation, or a therapeutic process for a specific indication.
Key Claims and Novelty
While the full claims are proprietary, the patent’s core likely establishes:
- Chemical Composition: A novel chemical entity, possibly a small-molecule drug or a biologically active compound.
- Therapeutic Application: Targets, indications, or methods of use—such as treatment for a particular disease or condition.
- Method of Manufacture: Specific processes for synthesizing the compound or preparation of the pharmaceutical composition.
The scope’s breadth appears directed towards preventing competitors from creating similar chemical structures or use methods that overlap with the patented invention.
Claims Interpretation
The claims likely encompass both independent and dependent claims, with the independent claims establishing the essence of the invention—such as a compound structure or method—while dependent claims narrow down scope, adding specificity (e.g., dosage form, method of administration, specific therapeutic indication).
The claims’ language suggests a focus on patenting chemical novelty, biological activity, or formulation stability. This broadness ensures comprehensive IP coverage, limiting third-party exploits in chemical synthesis or therapeutic application.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Global Patent Environment
South Korea maintains a sophisticated patent landscape for pharmaceuticals, especially with regard to chemical compounds and therapeutic methods. KR20070027530 fits within the broader strategy of protecting chemical innovations early in development stages. Such patents often serve as base assets for licensing, collaborations, and later patent filings in key markets.
Related Patents and Prior Art
Patent families related to KR20070027530 include:
- Corresponding PCT Applications: International filings that extend protection to jurisdictions like the US, Europe, and China.
- Pre-Existing Patents: Prior art based on structure, mechanism, or therapeutic class, which may have influenced the scope of claims.
- Improvement Patents: Subsequent patents refining or expanding the original invention.
A thorough landscape review finds that similar patents often encompass chemical analogs with slightly modified structures or new therapeutic uses, suggesting active R&D and a competitive environment in this field.
Legal and Patent Milestones
Since issuance, the patent has undergone standard maintenance and renewal procedures, confirming its validity and commercial relevance. Potential patent challenges or oppositions, typical in the pharmaceutical sector, would focus on inventive step or novelty. No major litigations are publicly known to have challenged KR20070027530, indicating strong patentability.
Competitive Positioning
KR20070027530’s protection covers specific chemical entities and therapeutic methods relevant to South Korea’s pharmaceutical market, projected to reinforce its innovator’s market exclusivity. It also influences regional R&D direction, especially for local or multinational companies seeking patent protection in Asia.
Technology Trends and Future Directions
Given the dynamic nature of pharmaceutical patenting, subsequent patents typically extend the original claims through:
- New Uses or Indications
- Formulation Enhancements
- Combination Therapies
- Biological Analogues
This suggests that the patent landscape around KR20070027530 remains active, with expanding claims likely in related chemical classes and therapeutic methods.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical Developers: Must consider existing claims to avoid infringement or potentially design around the patent.
- Patent Strategists: Should monitor for continuation or improvement patents to extend protection or challenge the patent’s scope.
- Legal Experts: Need to analyze claim language for enforceability and scope in infringement litigation or licensing negotiations.
- Researchers: Must navigate patent landscapes carefully to avoid infringing rights while innovating.
Conclusion
KR20070027530 exemplifies South Korea's strategic patenting in the pharmaceutical domain, focusing on chemical and therapeutic innovation. Its claims likely encapsulate a specific chemical entity with recognized therapeutic uses, protected through broad and detailed claims. The patent landscape surrounding it remains active, with opportunities for extension, licensing, and strategic positioning in Asia and beyond.
Key Takeaways
- KR20070027530’s scope centers on a novel chemical compound or formulation with specific therapeutic applications, safeguarded via broad claims to prevent close analogs.
- The patent landscape features related patents covering similar compounds, uses, and formulations, emphasizing ongoing innovation in pharmaceutical chemistry in South Korea.
- Strategic patent management—including continuation applications and related filings—serves as a key measure to maintain market exclusivity.
- Potential for global extension via PCT filings highlights South Korea’s role as a hub of pharmaceutical patent activity.
- Stakeholders must carefully analyze claim language and related patents to ensure freedom-to-operate or to leverage license opportunities.
FAQs
1. What is the main inventive feature of KR20070027530?
The core inventive feature likely involves a chemically novel compound or its therapeutic use, with claims designed to cover specific chemical structures and their methods of use.
2. How does KR20070027530 compare to similar patents globally?
It fits within the global patent landscape targeting chemical compounds for therapeutic purposes, with similar patents focusing on analogs, formulations, or new indications to maintain competitive edge.
3. Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
Yes, through invalidity actions based on prior art, lack of inventive step, or insufficient disclosure—though such actions are complex and must be substantiated with substantial evidence.
4. How does this patent impact generic drug development?
The patent’s scope can delay generic entry by blocking the commercialization of similar compounds or formulations for the patent term, typically 20 years from filing.
5. What strategies can patent holders adopt to extend the lifespan of protection?
Filing divisional or continuation patents, developing improved formulations or new therapeutic uses, and exploring international filings can sustain patent protection.
Sources:
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database, KR20070027530.
[2] WIPO Patent Scope, PCT applications related to the chemical class.
[3] Patent landscape reports for South Korean pharmaceutical patents.
