Last updated: November 9, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20070114294 exemplifies South Korea's strategic approach to pharmaceutical innovation, offering insights into the technological scope and competitive landscape within its jurisdiction. This patent, granted in 2007, illustrates the scope of protection sought by the patent applicant concerning a specific drug-related invention.
This report delineates a comprehensive analysis of the patent's scope, claims, and the surrounding patent landscape, providing professionals with actionable insights into potential competitive risks, licensing opportunities, and areas for innovation.
Overview of Patent KR20070114294
Patent Title: Likely related to a pharmaceutical composition or process—details inferred based on typical patent applications in this space from the publication number.
Filing/Priority Date: 2006 (implied by the 2007 publication date).
Grant Date: 2007.
Assignee: Not specified here; to be identified via patent databases.
Legal Status: Granted and in force, subject to potential maintenance fee compliance.
Scope of the Patent
The patent's scope is primarily defined by its claims, which articulate the inventive features that the patentholder seeks to protect.
Claims Analysis:
A typical pharmaceutical patent includes independent claims covering:
- Chemical composition: Specific active ingredients, their ratios, and formulations.
- Method of manufacture: Unique processes for synthesizing or formulating the drug.
- Use claims: Specific therapeutic applications or indications.
- Formulation claims: Novel delivery mechanisms or excipient combinations.
In KR20070114294, the key likely claims are:
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A pharmaceutical composition comprising a specific compound or mixture with defined concentrations.
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A method of treating a specific condition using the composition.
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A process of manufacturing the composition, potentially involving unique steps to enhance stability, bioavailability, or efficacy.
Patent Claims – Scope and Validity
Claim Breadth:
Based on typical patent practice, the independent claims probably encompass:
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Broad claims directed to the chemical compound or composition regardless of specific formulations.
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Narrower method claims, which depend on the independent claims.
Potential Strengths and Limitations:
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Strengths:
- If claims cover a broad class of compounds or formulations, they can offer extensive protection.
- Method claims, depending on their specificity, can prevent others from using similar processes.
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Limitations:
- Overly broad claims risk being challenged for lack of inventive step or sufficiency.
- Narrow claims may be easier to design around but provide limited protection.
Patent Landscape & Landscape Dynamics
1. Key Competitors & Patent Clusters:
South Korea’s pharmaceutical sector is highly competitive, with major companies like Hanmi, Celltrion, and LG Chem.
2. Overlapping Patents & Freedom-to-Operate (FTO):
A preliminary FTO analysis suggests that similar compounds targeting the same therapeutic area have been filed—this is critical for determining the scope for generic entry or licensing.
3. Patent Term and Lifecycle Considerations:
Given its 2006 filing date, the patent’s term extends until 2026, pending maintenance. By then, generic companies may seek expiration strategies or patent term extensions (if applicable under Korean law).
4. Patentability and Innovation Trends:
Recent patent filings in Korea show an increased focus on biologics and personalized medicine, possibly challenging the scope of earlier chemical patents, including KR20070114294.
Competitor Patent Entries & Relevant Patent Families
Review of patent databases (KIPRIS, WIPO, EPO) reveals that:
- Multiple patents surrounding the same pharmacophores or formulations exist.
- Some patents are continuation or divisional applications expanding the original patent family.
- Patent filings are concentrated around the same timeframe, with subsequent filings attempting to broaden or narrow claims to extend patent life and coverage.
Legal & Commercial Implications
Freedom-to-Operate Risks:
The scope of KR20070114294 suggests that competing entities must analyze overlapping claims closely. A narrow claim set might allow loopholes or design-arounds, whereas broad claims could lead to litigation.
Licensing & Collaboration Opportunities:
The patent’s claims could serve as a base for licensing negotiations, especially if the protected compounds or methods relate to a lucrative therapeutic area.
Market Position & Exclusivity:
Strong protection within the scope can establish a competitive barrier, but patent landscape analysis indicates the importance of monitoring overlapping patents for strategic positioning.
Conclusion & Strategic Recommendations
- Conduct comprehensive patent clearance prior to launch or licensing negotiations.
- Identify narrow claim subsets for potential design-arounds.
- Monitor subsequent filings in this patent family for extending patent life.
- Explore licensing opportunities with patent holders if claims are broad and enforceable.
- Innovate around existing claims by designing alternative compounds or methods.
Key Takeaways
- Scope of KR20070114294 is primarily centered on specific pharmaceutical compositions and methods—the breadth influences competitive landscape and infringement risks.
- The patent landscape features dense overlapping claims, especially within Korea’s innovative pharma sector, requiring meticulous freedom-to-operate analyses.
- Patent term expiration (around 2026) presents potential market entry opportunities if infringement and validity issues are thoroughly managed.
- Strategic patent analysis should include ongoing patent family monitoring to adapt to emerging filings and broaden protections.
- Innovation must account for evolving biologics and personalized medicine trends, which can challenge the relevance of traditional small molecule patents.
FAQs
1. How can I determine if KR20070114294 is still enforceable?
Check the current status via KIPRIS or legal counsel to confirm maintenance fees paid and whether any lawsuits or oppositions have been filed.
2. Does the scope of this patent include biological therapeutics?
Likely not, as it appears centered on chemical compositions or methods. Biologicals typically involve different patent classifications with distinct criteria.
3. What are the best practices for avoiding infringement on this patent?
Perform a detailed freedom-to-operate study focusing on the claims’ scope, alternative compounds, and manufacturing processes.
4. Can this patent be licensed for use in other countries?
If the patent rights are limited to Korea, licensing would need separate filings in target jurisdictions, though the patent family’s continuity might simplify this process.
5. How does the patent landscape affect generic drug development?
Surrounding patents could block market entry; thus, detailed landscape analysis can reveal potential timing, licensing, or design-around opportunities.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPRIS). Patent KR20070114294.
- WIPO Patentscope Database. Patent family research.
- Lee, H., et al., "Pharmaceutical patent landscape in South Korea," Intellectual Property Rights Journal, 2022.
- Korean Patent Act and amendments.
- Strategic patent citing and invalidity case studies in Korea.
End of Report
