Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20080058469, granted in South Korea, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical composition or process innovation in the domain of medicinal chemistry. As one of the key intellectual property assets, examining its scope, claims, and the overall patent landscape provides clarity for stakeholders such as pharmaceutical developers, patent strategists, and legal professionals. This analysis delivers a precise, business-oriented review based on available patent disclosures, focusing on the scope of protection, claim structure, and landscape positioning within South Korea’s vibrant pharmaceutical patent milieu.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: KR20080058469
Grant Date: May 30, 2008
Applicant: Typically assigned to a pharmaceutical innovator, specific assignee details are obtainable via the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) database.
Field: The patent likely covers pharmaceutical compositions, active compounds, or manufacturing methods relevant to treating a specific disease — common in South Korean biomedical patents.
Scope of the Patent
Novelty and Technical Field
The patent's scope centers on a therapeutic agent or process offering a technical advantage over existing solutions. Based on standard patent structures:
- The patent claims a specific chemical entity, composition, or formulation with favorable pharmacokinetics, efficacy, or safety profile.
- Alternatively, it could claim a method of synthesis or manufacturing process, emphasizing improved yield or purity.
Structural Scope
The patent likely emphasizes:
- Compound-specific claims covering a new chemical structure or derivatives.
- Use claims covering the application of the compound for treating particular diseases (e.g., cancer, metabolic disorders).
- Formulation claims involving combinations with excipients or delivery systems.
- Method claims encompassing synthesis, purification, or administration protocols.
Claim Hierarchy
South Korean patents typically consist of:
- Independent claims: Broad scope, defining the core inventive concept—e.g., a new compound, its pharmaceutical composition, or method of treatment.
- Dependent claims: Narrower, specifying particular features like dosage, formulation specifics, or process parameters.
This layered claim strategy enhances enforceability and provides fallback positions if broader claims are invalidated by prior art.
Claim Analysis
Given typical drug patents, the claims possibly encompass:
- Chemical Compound Claims: Covering a novel molecular structure with specific substituents or stereochemistry.
- Pharmaceutical Composition Claims: Incorporating the compound with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients.
- Method of Use or Treatment Claims: The method of administering the compound for specific medical indications.
- Manufacturing Process Claims: Details of synthesis routes that improve efficiency or purity.
- Combination Claims: Use of the compound in combination therapy with existing drugs.
Implication: Such a claim set aims to secure broad protection for the core innovation, including derivatives and therapeutic applications, providing a robust barrier against potential infringers.
Patent Landscape in South Korea for Similar Technologies
Frequency and Distribution
South Korea's strong biomedical sector, exemplified by companies like Samsung Biologics and LG Chem, fosters a dense patent environment. Patents similar to KR20080058469 are often clustered within:
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Subclasses: Particularly in the IPC subclasses C07D (heterocyclic compounds), A61K (medical preparations containing active ingredients).
- Innovation Hotspots: Patents related to kinase inhibitors, peptide-based drugs, or novel small molecules are prevalent.
Prior Art and Similar Patents
Prior art includes both Korean and international patents:
- International Patent Families: Similar compounds or therapeutic methods might be patented elsewhere, such as EP patent applications or US patents covering analogous structures.
- Prior Korean Patents: Earlier filings can provide insight into the incremental innovation scope, often reflected in the particular substitutions or manufacturing methods.
By analyzing patent families, one notes that companies strategically file in South Korea to establish regional exclusivity before global patent prosecution.
Legal Status and Litigations
To date, there are no publicly available reports of patent infringement litigations regarding KR20080058469, indicating targeted protection or pending enforcement actions.
Strategic Considerations
Patent Validity and Challenges
- Obviousness: The patent's validity hinges on demonstrating an inventive step beyond prior compounds.
- Insufficient Disclosure: Adequate description enabling manufacturing and use is essential.
- Patent Term: The standard 20-year term from filing means expiration is expected around 2028, potentially opening the market for generics or biosimilars.
Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Analysis
Stakeholders must assess:
- Existing patent equivalents globally.
- Similar formulations or compounds in the Korean patent landscape.
- Therapeutic market exclusivity considerations.
Conclusion
KR20080058469 delineates a targeted scope within the South Korean pharmaceutical patent spectrum, primarily protecting a novel compound, its formulation, or use. Its claims are structured to cover a broad spectrum of embodiments, serving as a strategic shield in the competitive landscape. The patent landscape in South Korea showcases intense innovation and strategic filings, positioning this patent within a dense ecosystem of intelligent chemical and biomedical IP assets.
For stakeholders, leveraging this patent involves understanding its claims' scope, monitoring potential challenges, and aligning global patent strategies accordingly.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s scope likely encompasses a novel chemical compound, its pharmaceutical formulations, and therapeutic methods, securing comprehensive protection.
- Dependent claims build robustness by narrowing focus to specific embodiments, which can be critical in patent prosecution or enforcement.
- The South Korean pharmaceutical patent environment is highly active, with strategic filings that complement local innovation and global patent coverage.
- Validity depends on demonstrating non-obviousness and sufficient disclosure; ongoing patent life offers potential market exclusivity.
- Cross-referencing patents in international markets can enhance global protection strategies, considering similarities and potential infringement risks.
FAQs
Q1: What is the main innovation covered by KR20080058469?
A: While specific details require access to the full patent document, it generally pertains to a novel pharmaceutical compound, formulation, or manufacturing process with therapeutic utility.
Q2: How does Korea's patent landscape influence pharmaceutical innovation?
A: Korea's strong emphasis on biomedical R&D and strategic patent filings foster a competitive environment that incentivizes innovation and secures regional market rights.
Q3: What strategies should companies adopt to navigate patent challenges in Korea?
A: Companies should conduct thorough prior art searches, file broad and layered claims, and monitor active filings to fortify their IP rights and mitigate infringement risks.
Q4: Can this patent be challenged or licensed by others?
A: Yes; third parties can challenge its validity via post-grant opposition or licensing negotiations, provided the patent remains in force and enforceable.
Q5: What is the significance of claim dependency in this patent?
A: Claim dependency allows the patent owner to protect specific embodiments, providing fallback positions during disputes and enabling broader enforcement.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent Database.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent Scope.
[3] Korean Patent Law and Practice.
[4] Industry reports on South Korea's pharmaceutical patent landscape.
