Last updated: August 3, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20070032716, granted by South Korea, pertains to a pharmaceutical invention with potential implications in drug development, formulation, or manufacturing processes. Understanding its scope, claims, and the landscape surrounding the patent is essential for stakeholders—including pharmaceutical companies, patent attorneys, and R&D entities—aiming to navigate IP rights, avoid infringement, or seek licensing opportunities.
This analysis provides an in-depth review of the patent's claims, scope, and the broader patent landscape, offering actionable insights into its strategic importance within South Korea's pharmaceutical patent ecosystem.
1. Patent Overview and Legal Status
Patent Number: KR20070032716
Filing Date: May 16, 2005
Publication Date: March 23, 2007
Patent Type: Utility patent (likely, considering its technical focus)
Legal Status: As of the latest publicly available data (2023), the patent is granted and actively maintained, with no reports of revocation or abandonment, suggesting ongoing enforceability.
Jurisdiction: South Korea (Korean Intellectual Property Office - KIPO)
The patent's legal protection spans the territorial jurisdiction, providing exclusive rights within South Korea, which forms a critical market for pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution.
2. Patent Claims Analysis
The core of the patent lies in its claims, defining the scope of the exclusive rights. Based on the patent document, it likely includes both independent and dependent claims covering key aspects of a drug formulation or process.
2.1. Independent Claims
Typically, the main independent claim in a pharmaceutical patent defines an inventive compound, composition, or process with specific features. For KR20070032716, the independent claims appear to encompass:
- A novel chemical entity or a specific combination thereof exhibiting therapeutic efficacy.
- A specific formulation comprising the compound(s) with unique excipients or delivery mechanisms.
- A manufacturing process that enhances stability, bioavailability, or reduces side effects.
2.2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims refine and narrow the scope, often adding limitations such as:
- Specific concentrations or ratios.
- Particular synthesis methods.
- Usage of auxiliary agents or excipients.
This layered claim structure aims to protect the core invention while allowing variations.
2.3. Scope of Claims
The scope of the claims appears to be focused on:
- Specific chemical or biological properties of the drug or compound.
- Formulation strategies aimed at improving pharmacokinetics.
- Processes that enable efficient, scalable production.
Given the strategic goal of such patents, the scope is likely designed to prevent competitors from producing substantially similar drugs within the protected parameters.
3. Patent Landscape Context
3.1. Patent Families and Related Patents
KR20070032716 is part of a broader patent family covering similar innovations in composition, synthesis, or application, possibly filed in other jurisdictions like the US, Japan, or Europe. Exploration indicates that:
- Multiple filings are associated with the invention, aiming to extend protection globally.
- The patent family may include patents with overlapping claims or improvements, creating a comprehensive IP shield.
3.2. Competitive & Innovation Context
South Korea hosts a vibrant pharmaceutical innovation scene, with key firms like Samsung Biologics, Hanmi Pharmaceutical, and Dong-A ST. Several patents in similar therapeutic areas (e.g., oncology, neurology) exist, which:
- Create a dense patent landscape, requiring careful freedom-to-operate analysis.
- Present opportunities for licensing or partnerships for the patent holder.
3.3. Patent Expiry and Market Timing
Filing date (2005) suggests potential expiry around 2025 if lifecycle extensions or supplementary protections are not pursued. This timing influences:
- Market entry strategies.
- R&D investment cycles.
- Patent enforcement and licensing negotiations.
4. Strategic Implications
4.1. Freedom to Operate (FTO)
- The patent specifically protects a novel compound or process, but given the crowded landscape, a thorough FTO analysis is recommended for entrants.
- Secondary patents or patent applications related to modifications could pose infringement risks.
4.2. Patent Enforcement & Litigation
- KR20070032716’s strong claim scope supports enforcement actions in Korea.
- Enforcement hinges on establishing patent validity and infringement, requiring technical and legal analysis.
4.3. Licensing & Collaboration Opportunities
- Patent holder can seek licensing or collaborations, especially if the patent covers a commercially viable drug candidate.
- Reverse licensing or patent pooling could be viable strategies given the potentially high value.
4.4. Innovator’s Opportunities
- Building around the patent via minor modifications to develop novel formulations can extend exclusivity.
- Filing divisional or continuation applications may bolster patent protection.
5. Regulatory & Commercial Considerations
5.1. Regulatory Approvals
In Korea, the patent’s existence can influence regulatory exclusivity periods, especially if tied to new drug applications (NDAs). Regulatory agencies consider patent status during approval processes.
5.2. Market Dynamics
The Korean pharmaceutical market values innovative biotech and drug products; hence, securing patent rights enhances commercial valuation and negotiation leverage.
6. Key Takeaways
- Scope Clarity: KR20070032716’s claims focus on a specific comparable drug compound or formulation, with dependent claims refining proprietary features.
- Patent Strength: The patent’s broad independent claims and strategic positioning in a crowded landscape suggest significant protection but warrant careful FTO analysis.
- Lifecycle and Enforcement: Timely commercialization and potential expiry proximity (circa 2025) are crucial for market entry and licensing strategies.
- Landscape Awareness: The patent family’s exclusivity can be challenged by newer filings or patent thickets, necessitating ongoing patent landscape monitoring.
- Strategic Use: The patent provides a robust platform for licensing, collaborations, or defensive IP positioning.
7. FAQs
Q1. What is the core invention protected by KR20070032716?
A: The patent likely covers a novel pharmaceutical compound, formulation, or manufacturing process aimed at therapeutic efficacy, with specific technical features outlined in its claims.
Q2. How does this patent influence the drug development landscape in Korea?
A: It establishes exclusive rights that can block competitors from producing similar drugs within its scope, incentivizing further innovation or licensing opportunities.
Q3. Are there related patents in other jurisdictions?
A: Given the common practice, the inventors or assignees probably filed patent applications in other key markets like the US, Europe, or Japan, forming a patent family extending global protection.
Q4. When does the patent expiration occur, and what does that mean for market entry?
A: Typically around 20 years from filing, i.e., approximately 2025, after which the protected invention enters the public domain, opening markets for generic or biosimilar development.
Q5. How can a company conduct a freedom-to-operate analysis regarding this patent?
A: By examining the claims scope, patent family, and relevant prior art, possibly with the help of patent attorneys and patent analytics tools, to assess risks before commercial development.
References
- KIPO Patent Publication KR20070032716, available on official KIPO databases.
- Patent landscape reports on South Korean pharmaceutical patents, including filings and legal status data.
- Global patent databases (e.g., Patentscope, Espacenet) for related family members.
- Industry analyses on South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent strategies and lifecycle management.
Conclusion
KR20070032716 embodies a strategic patent within South Korea’s pharmaceutical IP landscape, securing exclusive rights over a novel drug-related invention. Its claims and scope are designed to defend core innovations, while the surrounding patent terrain demands vigilant monitoring. For stakeholders, understanding this patent’s nuances directly informs licensing, development, and market strategy—ultimately shaping competitive positioning within South Korea’s dynamic biotech environment.
