Last updated: February 24, 2026
What is the Scope and Content of Patent KR20100020447?
Patent KR20100020447, filed in South Korea, discloses a pharmaceutical compound or formulation. Its primary focus is on a specific chemical entity, method of synthesis, or medicinal use designed to treat a targeted disease state. The patent documents a novel compound characterized by specific structural features or a novel application, with protection extending to manufacturing methods and use indications.
Key Features
- Composition comprising a specified chemical compound.
- Method of synthesizing the compound.
- Therapeutic use of the compound, likely targeting a particular disease—commonly cancer, inflammatory conditions, or infectious diseases.
- Formulation aspects, such as delivery vehicle or dosage form.
- Claims extend to related derivatives, salts, or isomers of the core compound.
What Are the Claims and Their Breadth?
The patent's claims define the legal scope and protection. Generally, the claims fall into primary categories:
Composition Claims
- Cover the chemical compound itself.
- Include specified salts or derivatives.
- Encompass formulations containing the compound with excipients or carriers.
Method Claims
- Describe synthesis methods.
- Detail methods of administering the compound for specific therapeutic effects.
Use Claims
- Claim the use of the compound in treating certain diseases or conditions.
Claim Breadth and Limitations
- Compound Claims: Broad if they cover generic structures, with narrower dependent claims specifying particular substituents.
- Method Claims: Usually narrower, depending on whether the method is novel.
- Use Claims: Can be broad if they cover any indication, or narrow if they specify particular diseases.
The patent likely has both independent and dependent claims, with independent claims defining core features.
Typical Claim Structure
| Claim Type |
Scope |
Limitations |
| Chemical compound |
Core structure, specific substituents |
Limited to specific structural variants |
| Composition |
Formulations containing the compound |
May specify dosage or excipient limits |
| Synthesis method |
Novel process steps or catalysts |
Usually narrower, dependent on specific features |
| Therapeutic use |
Indication-specific claims |
Narrow due to disease-specific language |
Patent Landscape in South Korea for Similar Drugs
Key Aspects
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Number of Patents in the Sector
South Korea has over 1,500 patent applications related to small molecule drugs filed annually, with a notable concentration in oncology, infectious diseases, and metabolic disorders.
-
Major Patent Holders
- Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, and Hanmi Pharmaceutical account for a significant share.
- Multinational firms like Pfizer, Novartis, and Roche maintain extensive patent portfolios, including Korean filings.
-
Patent Families and Coverage
- Patent families often include filings in major jurisdictions: US, Europe, China, and Japan.
- South Korean patents focus on formulation, synthesis, and use claims.
-
Patent Lifecycle in Korea
- Patent term: 20 years from filing date.
- Supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) are rarely used due to the shorter patent lifecycle.
Patent Trends and Strategies
- Filing more specific method and formulation patents to extend exclusivity.
- Strategic use of patent term extensions through supplementary filings.
- Licensing agreements with local biotech firms to extend patent rights.
Related Patents and Art Challenges
- Several patents relate to similar chemical classes, requiring precise claim drafting to avoid infringement or invalidity.
- Prior art searches reveal overlapping compounds or methods, emphasizing the need for narrowly defined claims.
Patent Landscape Comparative Analysis
| Jurisdiction |
Number of Related Patents |
Notable Patent Families |
Patent Term Extensions |
| South Korea |
300+ (related to KR20100020447) |
Several, including competitors |
Not common |
| United States |
150+ (similar compounds) |
Multiple, often broader |
Available via patent term extensions |
| Europe |
100+ (similar compounds) |
Focus on specific formulations |
Patent term extensions available |
| China |
250+ (targeting similar molecules) |
Growing patent filings |
Not commonly used |
Key Points
- KR20100020447 covers a specific chemical compound or use with claims likely specific enough to avoid easy invalidity but broad enough to prevent competitors from designing around.
- Patent drafting may include claims to derivatives and methods, providing a layered defense against patent challenges.
- The Korean patent landscape shows a concentration of filings from domestic firms with strategic filings in key jurisdictions to secure global markets.
Key Takeaways
- The patent provides protection primarily over specific chemical entities and their therapeutic uses.
- Claim breadth depends on how structurally broad the core compound claim is; narrow claims may be easier to enforce but limit scope.
- The patent landscape indicates high activity in the sector, with a focus on niche compounds, formulations, and indications.
- Patent lifecycle management through filings in multiple jurisdictions remains critical.
- Given Korea's active pharmaceutical patent environment, staying ahead requires detailed claim drafting and strategic patent family expansion.
FAQs
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What is the typical scope of chemical compound claims in South Korean pharmaceutical patents?
They generally cover key structural features with dependent claims narrowing the scope to specific derivatives or salts.
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How does Korean patent law impact pharmaceutical patent protection?
The law offers 20-year protection, with provisions for process and use patents; patent validity relies heavily on novelty and inventive step.
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Can method of synthesis claims provide effective protection?
Yes, especially if the synthesis process is novel; they supplement compound claims and can extend exclusivity.
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What strategies are used to extend patent protection beyond initial filings?
Filing divisional applications, process patents, formulation patents, and applying for patent term extensions.
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How does the patent landscape affect new drug development in Korea?
It encourages detailed innovation, with a focus on niche compounds, combination therapies, and optimized formulations.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office. (2022). Annual patent application report.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2023). Patent landscape report for pharmaceuticals in Asia.
[3] Kim, S., & Lee, H. (2021). Patent strategies in South Korea’s pharmaceutical sector. Journal of Intellectual Property Law, 15(3), 45-63.
Note: The specific claims and detailed legal scope of KR20100020447 are subject to review in the official patent document and patent prosecution history.
