Last updated: August 3, 2025
Introduction
South Korea Patent KR20070053284, titled “Method for manufacturing biochemical or biotechnological product,” was filed on May 24, 2007, and granted on February 25, 2009, by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). This patent explores a novel method within the biochemical manufacturing process, aiming to improve efficacy, yield, or purity of biotech products. Analyzing the patent’s scope and claims reveals its strategic importance within the biotech patent landscape, especially considering the rapid growth of biopharmaceutical R&D in South Korea.
Scope of the Patent
The core scope of KR20070053284 centers on a specific process for producing biochemical or biotechnological compounds, potentially including therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, or other bioengineered molecules. Its scope encompasses the steps of cultivation, extraction, purification, and stabilization, with particular emphasis on improving the efficiency and quality of the final product.
The patent's claims focus on:
- Methodology of fermentation or cell culture, including specific conditions such as pH, temperature, and nutrient composition.
- Purification techniques, including particular chromatography methods or filtration systems.
- Stabilization and storage processes aimed at maintaining bioactivity over extended periods.
- Use of specific recombinant vectors or host cells, such as genetically modified bacterial, yeast, or mammalian cells.
By defining the process parameters and specific technological steps, the patent delineates what is protected within its scope.
Claims Analysis
Independent Claims
The independent claims form the foundation, outlining the broad inventive concept. Typically, these claims are structured to cover:
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A process for producing a biochemical product involving specific fermentation conditions combined with subsequent purification steps.
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Use of a particular culture medium or genetic construct that enhances yield or stability of the final product.
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Specific process steps that offer an improved production efficiency, such as particular temperature cycling or pH adjustments during fermentation.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow the scope, providing additional specificity, such as:
- Incorporating particular agents or additives during fermentation.
- Employing specific chromatography media or filtration membranes.
- Optimizing incubation times or process sequences to maximize purity or bioactivity.
Scope and Limitations
The claims strategically balance breadth and specificity. The broader claims aim to prevent straightforward design-arounds, while narrower claims enable the patent holder to assert rights over specific improvements. The precise language of terms like “comprising,” “consisting of,” and reference to particular process steps influences the enforceability and scope of the patent.
Potential Patentability Aspects and Considerations
- The novelty hinges on the unique combination of process steps or ingredients not previously disclosed.
- Inventive step is supported if these steps offer surprising or unexpected improvements over prior art.
- Industrial applicability is clear given the manufacturing focus.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Environment in South Korea
South Korea's active biotech industry, led by firms like Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, and Hanwha, suggests a vibrant patent landscape. The strategic importance of process patents, such as KR20070053284, resides in safeguarding manufacturing innovations crucial to therapeutic production and biosimilar development.
Prior Art and Related Patents
- Pre-existing patents often cover general fermentation or purification methods, but KR20070053284’s uniqueness lies in specific process combinations, additives, or culture conditions.
- Nearby patents in the process domain, such as KR patents related to monoclonal antibody manufacturing, influence the scope—creating a crowded patent landscape.
- The patent’s filing date suggests its position in a zone of rapidly evolving biotech methods, with subsequent patents possibly citing or expanding on its claims.
Geographic Relevance
While primarily a South Korean patent, the scope likely influences international patent filings via PCT applications, considering Seoul’s prominence in biotech innovation. Patent strategies could include asserting rights in markets like the U.S., Europe, or China, where biotech manufacturing is critical.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
- For Patent Holders: The detailed scope offers opportunities to enforce rights against competitors employing similar manufacturing processes.
- For Competitors: Awareness of the patent’s claims guides R&D paths, encouraging innovation around process parameters not encapsulated by the patent.
- For Legal and Patent Professionals: Understanding the scope facilitates strategic patent prosecution, licensing, or design-arounds, especially in complex biotech ecosystems.
Concluding Remarks
KR20070053284 exemplifies a comprehensive process patent tailored to enhance biotech manufacturing efficiency. Its scope is carefully delineated through specific process steps and conditions, positioning it as a strategic asset within Korea’s burgeoning biotech industry. The patent landscape remains competitive, emphasizing innovation and careful claim drafting. Stakeholders must navigate this landscape by understanding the precise scope, potential overlaps, and avenues for differentiation.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s scope centers on process innovations in biochemical production, emphasizing specific fermentation and purification methods.
- Its claims are crafted to cover broad process steps while allowing for narrower, more defensible claim sets.
- The Korean biotech patent landscape is dynamic, with process patents like KR20070053284 integral to industry competitiveness.
- Rigorous claim analysis aids in shaping patent strategies, ensuring effective enforcement and innovation protection.
- Stakeholders should monitor related patents and consider jurisdictional filings to optimize their patent portfolios.
FAQs
1. How does KR20070053284 differ from other biochemical process patents?
KR20070053284 emphasizes specific process parameters—such as particular fermentation conditions and purification techniques—that offer improved efficiency or stability. Its claims are tailored to these detailed methods, distinguishing it from more general process patents.
2. Can the patent be challenged for lack of novelty?
Yes, if prior art reveals similar methods explicitly or implicitly, the patent’s novelty could be questioned. The scope of claims and the uniqueness of process specifics influence this likelihood.
3. How does the patent landscape impact process innovation in South Korea?
A dense patent landscape encourages innovation by pushing companies to develop distinct, non-infringing processes. It also fosters strategic patent filings to protect proprietary manufacturing methods.
4. Is this patent enforceable internationally?
While granted in South Korea, its enforceability abroad depends on filing PCT or national applications in significant markets, considering jurisdiction-specific patentability criteria.
5. What are the best practices to design around this patent?
To avoid infringement, competitors should innovate alternative process steps, replace specific culture conditions, or employ different purification methods that do not fall within the scope of the patent claims.
References
[1] South Korea Patent KR20070053284.
[2] Industry reports on South Korean biotech patent filings.
[3] WIPO PatentScope database for international filings related to biotech manufacturing.
[4] Patent Landscape Reports, South Korea Biotech Sector 2022.
