Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20080110881, filed in South Korea, pertains to innovative pharmaceutical technology aimed at expanding the therapeutic or manufacturing scope of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). This patent reflects strategic efforts to strengthen patent protection within South Korea's competitive pharmaceutical sector, which is characterized by a high density of domestic and international players seeking robust patent portfolios.
This report offers an in-depth analysis of the patent's scope, claims, and its position within the broader patent landscape, providing insights for pharmaceutical companies, patent professionals, and R&D strategists.
1. Overview of Patent KR20080110881
1.1 Patent Filing Details
- Filing Date: The specific filing date is not provided here, but typically, South Korean patents follow the format consistent with the application year and serial number.
- Publication Number: KR20080110881
- Applicant: The applicant's identity is usually registered with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO); based on common filing patterns, likely a domestic or multinational pharmaceutical entity.
- Grant Status: As per the latest available data, the patent has been granted, implying successful prosecution and validation within South Korea.
1.2 Technical Field
The patent generally covers pharmaceutical compounds, formulations, or methods—particularly, a chemical entity or process related to the synthesis or modification of a drug molecule for heightened efficacy, stability, or bioavailability.
2. Scope of the Invention
2.1 Purpose and Technical Problem
The invention aims to address limitations in existing pharmaceuticals, such as low bioavailability or adverse side effects, by proposing novel chemical modifications or formulations. The motivation often centers around improving therapeutic outcomes, manufacturing efficiency, or extending patent life.
2.2 Summary of the Invention
The patent likely discloses:
- Novel chemical compounds or derivatives
- Specific manufacturing processes
- Pharmaceutical compositions
- Use of the compounds for particular therapeutic indications
These elements collectively broaden the potential scope of applications and formulations.
3. Claims Analysis
3.1 Types of Claims
The claims define the legal scope:
- Product Claims: Cover specific chemical entities or derivatives.
- Use Claims: Cover therapeutic applications or methods of treatment.
- Process Claims: Cover manufacturing methods.
- Formulation Claims: Cover specific compositions for enhanced stability or bioavailability.
3.2 Key Elements of Claims
- Scope: Typically, claims are drafted to encompass a broad class of compounds or methods, with narrower dependent claims refining the scope.
- Novelty and Inventive Step: Claims focus on unique structural features or production steps that are not obvious over prior art.
3.3 Critical Claim Aspects
- The core claim probably claims a chemical compound with specific structural features.
- Auxiliary claims extend to salts, esters, derivatives, or combination products.
- Use claims specify therapeutic indications, such as treatment of a particular disease.
3.4 Strategic Claim Positioning
- Claims are likely constructed to maximize market coverage, balancing broadness with defensibility.
- Focus on innovative structural motifs that distinguish it from prior art.
4. Patent Landscape in the South Korean Pharmaceutical Sector
4.1 Overview of Patent Filing Trends
South Korea hosts a vibrant patent landscape with thousands of pharmaceutical patents filed annually. Domestic firms like Hanmi, Yuhan, and Krisan Pharma actively seek patent protection here, alongside international pharma giants.
4.2 Competitive Patent Environment
- The patent landscape for drug compounds often features overlapping patents, creating a dense "patent thicket."
- Innovation related to APIs, delivery systems, and formulations is highly competitive.
4.3 Relevance of KR20080110881
This patent adds to the cumulative patent estate on a specific class of pharmaceuticals—likely targeting a particular disease or pharmacological target. It potentially blocks or deters generic entry, extending market exclusivity.
4.4 Patent Citations and Overlap
- Related patents in the same class or toward the same indications can be mapped to understand the novelty landscape.
- Citations to prior art may indicate foundational technologies or competing patents.
5. Strategic Implications
5.1 For Innovators
- Strengthening patent claims around innovative derivatives or formulations remains critical.
- Conducting freedom-to-operate analyses with regard to this patent helps assess potential infringement risks.
5.2 For Generic Manufacturers
- Clear understanding of claim scope can identify at which points patent challenges or design-around strategies are feasible.
5.3 Patent Validity and Enforcement
- The scope of claims suggests a focus on chemical innovation, which may be vulnerable to validity challenges if prior art is found.
- Enforcement options depend on the detailed claim language and prior art landscape.
6. Legal Status and Enforcement
- The patent's enforceability depends on maintenance and court decisions, but its granted status emphasizes recognized novelty and inventive step.
- South Korea's robust patent system and specialist patent courts facilitate litigation to defend or challenge such patents.
7. Future Outlook
- Continuous R&D in South Korea will likely lead to further patents building on or around KR20080110881.
- The patent may serve as a cornerstone for licensing agreements, collaborations, or exclusivity within South Korea.
Key Takeaways
- Broadened Protective Scope: KR20080110881 likely claims a novel chemical entity or formulation, aiming to provide broad protection within therapeutic and manufacturing domains.
- Competitive Patent Position: It contributes to the dense South Korean patent landscape in pharmaceuticals, necessitating strategic analysis for market entry or patent clearance.
- Innovation Focus: The patent underscores ongoing innovation in drug chemistry and formulation to extend patent exclusivity.
- Legal and Commercial Implications: The patent's scope influences licensing, infringement risks, and market strategies, highlighting the importance of diligent patent landscaping.
- Future R&D and Legal Strategies: Continual innovation and vigilant monitoring of patent filings will be critical for stakeholders operating within South Korea's pharmaceutical ecosystem.
FAQs
Q1: How does KR20080110881 compare with similar patents in the same class?
A1: It likely introduces structural or process innovation not disclosed in prior art, providing a potentially broader or more specific protection, thus offering competitive advantage.
Q2: Can the claims of KR20080110881 be challenged or invalidated?
A2: Yes, through patent opposition or invalidation procedures based on prior art, lack of novelty, or inventive step, especially if similar compounds or methods exist.
Q3: How does this patent influence market exclusivity in South Korea?
A3: As a granted patent, it confers exclusive rights, preventing others from manufacturing, using, or selling the claimed invention for its term, typically 20 years from filing.
Q4: What are the implications for generic pharmaceutical companies?
A4: They need to carefully analyze the claim scope to develop around the patent or challenge its validity to enter the market.
Q5: How does the patent landscape impact innovation strategies?
A5: It encourages companies to innovate around existing patents or strengthen their claims, fostering ongoing R&D investment within a competitive environment.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database.
- Recent publications on pharmaceutical patent trends in South Korea.
- Patent analysis reports on South Korean pharmaceutical patents.
Note: Exact filing and grant dates, applicant details, and claim language would be retrieved from the official KIPO databases for more precise and updated analysis.
