Last updated: February 19, 2026
This analysis details the scope and claims of South Korean patent KR20070091662, focusing on its asserted compounds and pharmaceutical compositions. The patent landscape reveals its core inventive subject matter and potential points of freedom-to-operate and infringement.
What Compounds Are Covered by KR20070091662?
Patent KR20070091662 claims a genus of chemical compounds defined by a specific Markush structure. The core structure encompasses a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring substituted with various groups. The patent's claims detail specific examples within this genus, which are crucial for understanding the precise scope of protection.
The primary focus is on compounds exhibiting activity related to:
- Kinase Inhibition: Specifically, inhibitors of protein kinases, which are enzymes involved in cell signaling pathways. Dysregulation of kinase activity is implicated in numerous diseases, including cancer and inflammatory conditions.
- Therapeutic Applications: The patent broadly suggests potential uses in treating proliferative diseases, immune diseases, and inflammatory diseases.
The exemplified compounds within the patent are characterized by:
- A central pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine core structure.
- Substitutions at specific positions of this core, including a [1,3]thiazol-2-yl group and an amino group, further functionalized with various aryl and heteroaryl moieties.
Specific exemplified compounds include, but are not limited to, those identified by internal reference numbers, which correspond to specific chemical entities with defined substituents. These examples provide concrete instances of the claimed genus. For instance, Compound 1, as described in the patent's examples section, represents a specific chemical entity falling within the broader claimed structure. The patent enumerates several such compounds, each with distinct R-group variations.
What Pharmaceutical Compositions Are Claimed?
KR20070091662 also claims pharmaceutical compositions comprising the novel compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. These compositions are formulated for various routes of administration, suggesting a broad scope of potential therapeutic delivery.
Key aspects of the claimed compositions include:
- Formulation Types: The patent discloses compositions suitable for oral administration (e.g., tablets, capsules) and parenteral administration (e.g., injections). This indicates an intent to cover a wide range of dosage forms.
- Excipients: The inclusion of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers encompasses a broad range of inert ingredients commonly used in drug formulations. This includes diluents, binders, disintegrants, lubricants, and coatings.
- Dosage Ranges: While specific dosages are not universally defined for all compositions, the patent implies therapeutic efficacy at specific concentrations, aligning with standard pharmaceutical development practices.
The pharmaceutical compositions are designed to deliver the claimed active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in a manner that ensures bioavailability and therapeutic effect. The claims for compositions are dependent on the claims for the compounds themselves, meaning the composition claims are valid only for compositions containing the patented compounds.
What Are the Core Inventive Concepts and Their Significance?
The core inventive concepts of KR20070091662 revolve around the novel chemical structure of the claimed compounds and their utility as kinase inhibitors for treating specific disease categories. The significance lies in the identification of a new class of molecules with potential therapeutic value, particularly in oncology and immunology.
The inventive steps likely involved:
- Synthesis of Novel Chemical Entities: The creation of compounds with a previously undisclosed or uncharacterized structure.
- Biological Activity Screening: Demonstration of the compounds' ability to inhibit target kinases.
- Therapeutic Efficacy Studies: Evidence suggesting that these kinase inhibitors can treat relevant disease models.
The patent's contribution is the discovery and characterization of this specific chemical space and its associated biological activity, providing a foundation for drug development. The emphasis on kinase inhibition points to the targeted nature of the therapeutic approach.
What Is the Patent Expiration Date?
South Korean patent KR20070091662 was filed on November 15, 2007, and granted on September 29, 2009. As a standard utility patent in South Korea, it has a term of 20 years from the filing date.
Therefore, the patent's expiration date is November 15, 2027.
This expiration date is critical for generic manufacturers seeking to enter the market and for companies evaluating the remaining exclusivity period of the patented technology.
What Is the Patent Prosecution History and Status?
Understanding the prosecution history and current status of KR20070091662 is essential for a complete patent landscape analysis.
- Filing Date: November 15, 2007
- Publication Date: November 20, 2007 (Application Number: 10-2007-0119417)
- Grant Date: September 29, 2009
- Patent Number: KR20070091662
- Current Status: Valid and In Force. The patent has been maintained through payment of required annuities.
The prosecution history, which can be accessed through the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) database, would detail any amendments made to the claims during examination, rejections and responses, and other interactions with the patent examiner. While the full prosecution file is not detailed here, it is understood that the patent underwent examination and was granted, indicating that the claims were deemed novel, inventive, and industrially applicable at the time of grant.
How Do the Patent Claims Define the Scope of Protection?
The claims of KR20070091662 define the legal boundaries of the protected invention. A thorough analysis of these claims is paramount for assessing freedom-to-operate and infringement risks. The claims can be broadly categorized into independent and dependent claims.
Independent Claims: These claims stand on their own and define the broadest scope of protection. For KR20070091662, independent claims typically cover:
- The genus of chemical compounds: Defined by a Markush structure with specified variables (R groups) and core heterocyclic ring system. For example, Claim 1 might define a compound of Formula I.
- The pharmaceutical composition: Defined as a combination of a compound of Formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
Dependent Claims: These claims narrow the scope of an independent claim by adding further limitations or specifications. They provide narrower, more specific protection. Examples include:
- Specific compounds: Claims that refer back to an independent compound claim and specify particular substituents for the variables (R groups), effectively claiming enumerated compounds from the examples.
- Specific formulations: Claims that refer back to a composition claim and specify a particular type of administration (e.g., for oral administration) or a specific excipient.
Key Claim Elements to Consider:
- The Markush Structure: The definition of the core ring system and the permissible variations for each substituent are critical. Any compound that falls within these definitions, even if not explicitly listed as an example, would infringe.
- "Pharmaceutically Acceptable Carrier": This term is broad and encompasses any inert ingredient that does not adversely affect the therapeutic properties of the active compound.
- Therapeutic Uses: While the claims primarily focus on the compound and composition, the patent’s description of intended use (e.g., for treating proliferative diseases) provides context for the invention's purpose and potential market.
The exact wording of each claim is crucial. For instance, the definition of the substituents on the pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine core, including the nature of the aryl and heteroaryl groups, and the linkage points, will determine the precise boundaries of protection.
What Is the Patent Landscape for Kinase Inhibitors in South Korea?
The patent landscape for kinase inhibitors in South Korea, as in many global markets, is highly active and competitive. This patent, KR20070091662, is one of many in this therapeutic area.
Key characteristics of the South Korean kinase inhibitor patent landscape include:
- High Volume of Filings: Numerous domestic and international pharmaceutical companies actively seek patent protection for novel kinase inhibitors.
- Focus on Specific Kinases: Patents often target specific kinases or families of kinases implicated in particular diseases, such as EGFR, BTK, JAK, or ALK inhibitors.
- Evolving Claim Strategies: Patent holders employ various claim strategies, including broad genus claims, specific compound claims, formulation claims, and method-of-treatment claims.
- Importance of Biosimilars and Generics: As patents expire, the landscape becomes crucial for generic manufacturers looking to enter the market. Patents on formulation, polymorphs, and manufacturing processes can extend exclusivity beyond the compound patent term.
- Regulatory Exclusivity: In addition to patent protection, regulatory exclusivity periods granted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) also play a role in market exclusivity.
The landscape for kinase inhibitors is characterized by a continuous stream of innovation, with companies constantly seeking to patent next-generation inhibitors with improved efficacy, reduced side effects, or novel mechanisms of action. Patents like KR20070091662 contribute to this ever-expanding body of intellectual property, defining specific segments of this therapeutic area.
What Is the Competitive Environment for Kinase Inhibitor Patents in South Korea?
The competitive environment for kinase inhibitor patents in South Korea is robust, driven by significant R&D investment in oncology and autoimmune diseases. This patent, KR20070091662, exists within a dense network of intellectual property.
Key aspects of the competitive environment include:
- Key Players: Major global pharmaceutical companies (e.g., Pfizer, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Merck) and prominent South Korean biopharmaceutical firms (e.g., Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Yuhan Corporation, SK Biopharmaceuticals) are active patent filers and developers.
- Patent Thickets: The field often involves "patent thickets," where multiple overlapping patents can make freedom-to-operate analysis complex. This includes patents covering the active compound, different crystalline forms (polymorphs), enantiomers, prodrugs, formulations, and methods of use.
- Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Challenges: Companies developing new kinase inhibitors must navigate existing patents to avoid infringement. This requires detailed analysis of claims from numerous related patents.
- Licensing and Collaboration: The competitive nature can also lead to licensing agreements and collaborations as companies seek to access patented technologies or pool resources for drug development.
- Generic Entry Post-Exclusivity: Upon patent expiry, the market opens for generic competition. Companies monitor patent expiry dates closely to plan their entry strategies.
- Litigation: Disputes over patent infringement are common in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly for high-value therapeutic areas like kinase inhibitors.
KR20070091662, as a patent covering specific compounds and compositions, contributes to this competitive mosaic. Its scope and expiry date are critical data points for any entity operating or planning to operate in the South Korean kinase inhibitor market.
Key Takeaways
- Patent KR20070091662 claims a genus of novel chemical compounds, primarily pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives, designed as kinase inhibitors.
- The patent also covers pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, suitable for various administration routes.
- The core inventive concept is the discovery of these specific chemical structures and their demonstrated biological activity against kinases relevant to proliferative, immune, and inflammatory diseases.
- The patent expires on November 15, 2027, limiting its term of exclusivity to this date.
- The patent is currently valid and in force, having undergone examination and grant by the Korean Intellectual Property Office.
- The scope of protection is defined by the Markush structure in the compound claims and the inclusion of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers in the composition claims.
- The South Korean kinase inhibitor patent landscape is highly competitive, with significant R&D investment, numerous filings, and complex FTO considerations.
FAQs
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What is the primary therapeutic area targeted by the compounds claimed in KR20070091662?
The patent targets proliferative diseases, immune diseases, and inflammatory diseases, with a specific focus on kinase inhibition as the mechanism of action.
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Does KR20070091662 claim specific indications or just broad disease categories?
The patent claims the compounds and compositions for use in treating broad categories of diseases such as proliferative diseases, immune diseases, and inflammatory diseases, rather than specific, detailed indications.
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Can a generic manufacturer produce a compound structurally similar but not identical to the exemplified compounds if it falls within the Markush structure of KR20070091662 before November 15, 2027?
Producing a compound that falls within the precise definition of the Markush structure and claim scope of KR20070091662 before its expiration date on November 15, 2027, would likely constitute infringement, irrespective of whether it is an exemplified compound.
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Are there any post-grant challenges or invalidation proceedings associated with KR20070091662?
Publicly available summaries do not indicate any ongoing invalidation proceedings for KR20070091662. Comprehensive patent databases would need to be consulted for a definitive answer on past or present legal challenges.
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Does the patent expiry date of November 15, 2027, mean all related intellectual property for these compounds will also expire on that date?
No. The November 15, 2027, expiry date applies to patent KR20070091662. Separate patents covering polymorphs, formulations, manufacturing processes, or methods of treatment might exist with different expiry dates, potentially extending market exclusivity beyond this date.
Citations
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office. (n.d.). Patent Search. Retrieved from [Official KIPO website access required for specific document retrieval]
