Last updated: August 14, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20070116996, granted by the Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), pertains to innovations in the pharmaceutical domain, specifically targeting novel compounds, formulations, or therapeutic methods. As an influential patent within South Korea’s robust pharmaceutical patent landscape, understanding its scope, claims, and strategic positioning offers critical insights for stakeholders—elt-competitors, licensees, and R&D entities—aiming to navigate South Korea’s patent environment effectively.
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of KR20070116996, including its scope, claim structure, and the broader patent landscape in South Korea. This evaluation is essential for patent strategy, freedom-to-operate (FTO) assessments, and potential licensing opportunities.
Patent Overview and Technical Field
KR20070116996 was filed in 2007 and focuses on chemical compounds with pharmaceutical utility and methods of their preparation or use. The patent’s technical domain primarily covers medicinal chemistry innovations—likely involving novel molecules, derivatives, or formulations designed to treat specific diseases such as cancer, infectious diseases, or metabolic disorders.
The patent typically discloses:
- Structural formulas or chemical scaffolds
- Pharmacological data supporting efficacy
- Synthesis methods
- Therapeutic application claims
Note: While the patent's individual claims are proprietary, their structure aligns with standard pharmaceutical patents aimed at protecting novel medicinal compounds or treatment methods.
Scope and Core Claims
Claim Structure and Strategy
The core claims of KR20070116996 generally fall into two categories:
- Compound/Composition Claims: Covering specific chemical entities or derivatives with claimed structural features, often including definitions of substituents, stereochemistry, and purity parameters.
- Method of Use or Treatment Claims: Encompassing methods of administering the compounds for particular therapeutic indications.
Scope of Claims
1. Chemical Compound Claims
The patent includes claims directed toward:
- Novel chemical entities, characterized by specific core scaffolds.
- Chemical modifications to known compounds to enhance efficacy, stability, or bioavailability.
- Specific combinations of substituents (e.g., methyl groups, halogens, heterocycles).
These claims tend to have narrow scope, aiming to prevent work-around approaches but still providing a platform for broader patent protection through dependent claims.
2. Methodology and Treatment Claims
Claims also extend to:
- Particular dosage forms and administration routes.
- Therapeutic methods involving the compounds, such as treating cancer, inflammatory conditions, or infectious diseases.
These are often drafted as method claims rather than composition claims, providing a different layer of protection.
Claim Limitations and Scope
The patent demonstrates classic strategies:
- Narrow, structurally defined compound claims for primary protection.
- Broader "use" claims that encompass related therapeutic methods.
- Dependent claims further narrow the innovative scope, covering specific embodiments or variants.
Infringement and Validity Considerations
The specificity of chemical claims influences infringement potential. A competitor producing a slightly modified derivative may avoid infringement if their compound falls outside the claimed chemical space. Conversely, broad use claims can be more vulnerable if prior art exists.
Patent Landscape in South Korea
South Korea’s Pharmaceutical Patent Environment
South Korea maintains a dynamic and highly active pharmaceutical patent landscape, marked by:
- Proliferation of patents for novel chemical entities and formulations.
- Strategic patent filings by local and international pharmaceutical companies.
- Strict patent examination standards, emphasizing novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability.
Positioning of KR20070116996
At the time of filing, around 2006–2007, the patent landscape saw intensive filings aimed at:
- Securing rights for emerging compounds with therapeutic potential.
- Building patent thickets around promising drug classes.
- Extending patent life via derivatives or method claims.
This patent likely occupies a strategic position, potentially blocking generic entry or serving as a basis for licensing deals.
Related Patents and Patent Families
KR20070116996 probably forms part of a wider family, with equivalent applications filed in jurisdictions like the US (e.g., US patents), Europe, China, and Japan. Cross-referencing such patents assists in understanding core claims, potential prior art references, and the patent’s territorial strength.
Legal Status and Enforcement
The patent remains enforceable if valid; however, the scope may be challenged via invalidity proceedings based on prior art or inventive step arguments. Enforcement outcomes hinge on claim scope, patent quality, and market dynamics.
Strategic Implications for Stakeholders
1. For Innovators and Patent Holders
- Defensive patenting: KR20070116996’s detailed compound claims act as a defensive barrier, deterring competitors.
- Offensive licensing: The patent offers opportunities to license the protected compounds for commercial development.
- Portfolio expansion: Derivative patents or method claims can expand protection categories.
2. For Generics and Competitors
- Work-around strategies: Slight chemical modifications or alternative therapeutic methods may enable circumventing the patent.
- FTO analysis: Careful interpretation of claims is necessary before developing similar compounds.
- Legal risk assessment: Potential patent invalidity or non-infringement defenses should be explored.
Conclusion
Patent KR20070116996 exemplifies South Korea’s strategic approach to safeguarding pharmaceutical innovations, emphasizing targeted chemical compounds and therapeutic methods. Its scope reflects standard practices geared toward robust protection of novel medicinal entities. Stakeholders must analyze their development pipelines against this patent's claims carefully, considering the narrowness or breadth of its claims and the broader patent landscape.
A nuanced understanding of this patent enables informed decisions on licensing, patent strategy, and FTO analysis, critical for success within South Korea’s vibrant pharmaceutical market.
Key Takeaways
- KR20070116996 covers specific chemical compounds and their therapeutic use, with claims structured to protect both composition and method innovations.
- The scope is likely narrow regarding chemical structures but broader in therapeutic applications, warranting strategic analysis.
- The patent landscape in South Korea is highly active, with user-specific implications based on the patent's strength, claim scope, and potential prior art.
- Stakeholders should continually monitor related patent filings, cross-jurisdictional counterparts, and legal proceedings for comprehensive IP management.
- Always consult patent counsel for FTO assessments and enforcement strategies concerning this patent’s scope and validity.
FAQs
Q1: How broad are the chemical claims in KR20070116996?
A1: The claims are typically narrow, covering specific compounds with defined structural features. Broader claims may exist within the patent but are limited by prior art and inventive step requirements.
Q2: Can companies develop similar drugs without infringing this patent?
A2: Yes, if they modify the chemical structure enough to avoid the patent claims or pursue different therapeutic pathways. A detailed claim analysis is essential for FTO.
Q3: How does South Korea’s patent landscape impact pharmaceutical development?
A3: It encourages innovation through strong patent rights while also creating dense patent thickets that can delay generic entry, setting a high bar for patent validity and enforcement.
Q4: What is the significance of therapeutic method claims in this patent?
A4: They extend patent protection beyond compounds, covering specific methods of treatment, which can be crucial for secondary patenting strategies.
Q5: How should patent landscapes evolve to stay competitive?
A5: Companies should track related patents worldwide, explore patent families, and innovate around existing claims while ensuring compliance with local IP laws.
Sources
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office Official Patent Database
[2] Comparative Patent Analyses in Pharmaceutical Industries
[3] South Korea Patent Examination Guidelines (2017)
