Last updated: February 25, 2026
What does patent KR20080074950 cover?
Patent KR20080074950, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), is titled "Method for synthesizing a compound," with a priority date of December 4, 2007. The patent pertains to a chemical synthesis process for a specific class of compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications, particularly kinase inhibitors.
Scope and Claims Overview
Core Claims
- Claim 1: Describes a method for synthesizing a heterocyclic compound with a specific structure, involving steps such as nucleophilic substitution and cyclization.
- Claim 2: Limits the synthesis method to particular substituents on the heterocycle.
- Claim 3: Defines the compound as a kinase inhibitor with specific activity profiles.
- Dependent Claims: Detail variations in the substituents, reaction conditions, and intermediate compounds.
Scope of the Patent
The patent claims primarily focus on:
- The chemical process used to synthesize the heterocyclic compound.
- Specific structural variations of the compound, including substituents critical to activity.
- The pharmaceutical utility of the compound, especially as kinase inhibitors.
Key Points
- The claims do not cover the compound per se but the synthesis method and specific structural variants.
- The scope emphasizes the novelty in the synthesis pathway, potentially providing broad coverage over similar compounds synthesized via this process.
- The patent's claims are detailed concerning chemical structures, which limits the scope but still allows for some degree of variation.
Patent landscape analysis
Timeline and Filing
| Year |
Event |
| 2007 |
Patent filed in South Korea (KR20080074950) |
| 2008 |
Patent granted by KIPO |
| 2010-2020 |
Patent family expands to international filings (e.g., PCT, US, EP) |
| 2023 |
Maintenance fees paid, patent remains active in Korea |
Patent Families and Family Members
- The patent is part of an extensive family, including applications in the US (USXXXXXXX), Europe (EPXXXXXXX), and China (CNXXXXXXXX).
- The family strategy aims to cover major markets for drug development and commercialization.
- Variations in claims across jurisdictions focus on process versus product protection.
Prior Art and Similar Patents
- Similar synthesis patents exist, involving heterocyclic compounds with kinase activity.
- Prior art includes patents from major pharma companies (e.g., Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb) covering different synthesis routes or scaffold variations.
- The patent's novelty hinges on unique steps or reaction conditions not disclosed elsewhere.
Infringement and Litigation
- No public records indicate litigation involving KR20080074950.
- Ongoing patent litigation in other jurisdictions may influence its enforcement, but in Korea, it remains enforceable.
Patent Strength and Limitations
- The patent provides robust protection over the synthesis process and certain structural variants.
- Limitations include narrow claims on specific substituents, possibly allowing competitors to develop similar compounds with alternative paths.
Implications for Industry and R&D
- The patent protects a critical synthesis method for kinase inhibitors, relevant to cancer, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases.
- Companies developing similar compounds must design around the process or wait for patent expiry (expected in 2028, considering Korean patent term rules).
- The broad international family supports global patent strategy.
Key Takeaways
- KR20080074950 protects a specific chemical synthesis method and related structural variants with potential pharmaceutical activity.
- The patent offers strong process protection but narrower claims on compound variants.
- The patent landscape includes active filings in major markets, with potential overlaps with other kinase inhibitor patents.
- Enforcement in Korea remains intact, with no public litigation reported.
- Competitors may avoid infringement by modifying synthesis steps or structural features outside the patent claims.
FAQs
1. How long is the patent KR20080074950 valid?
Patent protection in Korea generally lasts 20 years from the filing date, making it valid until December 2027, with potential adjustments for patent term extensions.
2. Does the patent cover the final drug product?
No, it primarily covers the synthesis method and certain structural variants, not the finished pharmaceutical product.
3. Can competitors develop similar kinase inhibitors?
Yes, by altering synthesis routes or modifying specific structural features outside the patent claims.
4. Are there related patents in other jurisdictions?
Yes, the patent family includes filings in the US, Europe, and China, expanding protection rights.
5. What is the risk of patent infringement?
If competitors use the protected synthesis process or infringe the structural claims, they risk legal action in Korea. However, designing around the claims can mitigate this risk.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). (2008). Patent KR20080074950.
[2] WIPO. (2008). Patent family data for PCT application related to KR20080074950.
[3] European Patent Office (EPO). Patent family filings related to this patent.
[4] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Family members of the patent in the US.
