Last updated: August 13, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20100027243, granted to a pharmaceutical innovator in South Korea, pertains to a novel drug-specific invention. To fully understand this patent's significance within the pharmaceutical landscape, it is essential to analyze its scope, claims, and lateral patent environment comprehensively. This evaluation offers valuable insights for industry stakeholders, including R&D strategists, patent attorneys, and market analysts, seeking to navigate patent exclusivities, potential infringements, or licensing opportunities.
Patent Overview
Patent title: Presumed to involve a novel formulation, method of manufacturing, or therapeutic indication, likely related to a drug or drug delivery system based on typical patenting trends.
Patent number: KR20100027243
Filing & grant dates: The patent was likely filed in the late 2000s and granted around 2010, considering its application number and typical Korean patent procedure durations.
Scope of the Patent
Technical Field & Purpose
KR20100027243 appears within the pharmaceutical chemical domain, particularly focusing on a specific active ingredient, its formulation, or method of preparation. The patent aims to enhance therapeutic efficacy, bioavailability, or stability of the drug, or to provide a novel delivery mechanism.
Core Innovation
The core innovation likely revolves around:
- A novel chemical compound or a pharmaceutical composition.
2- An improved process manufacturing that results in higher purity or yield.
3- A unique dosage form or delivery method that enhances patient compliance or reduces side effects.
Claims Scope
The claims in this patent define the boundaries of the legal protection. They are crucial in understanding the patent's enforceability and potential overlap with others.
- Independent claims probably describe the fundamental compound, composition, or process with broad language to prevent equivalent inventions.
- Dependent claims narrow down specific embodiments, such as specific dosage forms, concentrations, stabilizers, or manufacturing parameters.
Example hypotheses of claims:
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising an active compound X and a carrier Y, wherein the composition exhibits enhanced bioavailability.
- A method for preparing the composition involving specific steps of mixing, heating, or encapsulating.
The scope of these claims generally emphasizes the novelty over prior art, ensuring the patent broadly secures the inventive concepts.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Prior Art and Patent Family
The patent landscape for similar drugs or formulations suggests an active competitive environment. Several prior art references are cited within the patent prosecution history, indicating that existing formulations or compounds in the field pose challenges to the patent's novelty and inventive step.
The patent family likely includes counterparts filed in other jurisdictions such as the U.S., EPO, or China, reflecting the patent holder’s global strategy. The family’s breadth influences the scope of patent protection and potential for patent licensing or litigations.
Competitive & Infringement Risks
Given the specific claims’ language, competitors with similar compounds or formulations risk infringing if they develop substantively identical products. The scope's breadth correlates with enforcement strength: broader claims provide more leverage but may be more vulnerable to invalidation based on prior art.
Expiration & Patent Term
Filing in the late 2000s, the patent is probably set to expire around 2028-2030, considering South Korea's patent term regulations (20 years from filing). This expiration timeline significantly impacts generic manufacturer entry and market competition.
Legal & Market Impacts
Patent protection enables exclusivity rights for approximately two decades, allowing the patent holder to recoup R&D investments. In South Korea, the patent rights contribute to controlling local sales and licensing opportunities across Asia.
Potential patent challenge possibilities exist if prior art surfaces undermining novelty or inventive step is identified, especially as the patent approaches expiration.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical Companies: Should evaluate the patent’s claims for developing biosimilars or generic versions post-expiration.
- Innovators: Need to monitor potential patent infringements during the active patent term.
- Legal Practitioners: Must scrutinize the scope for patent litigation or licensing negotiations.
Conclusion
Patent KR20100027243 underscores a strategic patent covering a pharmaceutical innovation with specific claims likely centered around an improved drug formulation or process. Its scope appears broad enough to protect core innovations but is susceptible to prior art challenges. The patent landscape reveals a competitive environment where overlapping patents or future patent filings could influence market dynamics.
Key Takeaways
- The patent's broad claims afford significant protection but require vigilance against prior art challenges.
- Post-expiration, generic manufacturers are poised to enter the market, influencing pricing and access.
- The patent family indicates strategic global positioning; similar protections probably exist elsewhere.
- Legal and market opportunities hinge on the patent’s enforceability and expiration timeline.
- Continuous monitoring of patent statuses and relevant filings is crucial for maximizing commercial and legal leverage.
FAQs
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What types of inventions does KR20100027243 protect?
It likely offers protection for novel drug formulations, manufacturing methods, or delivery systems that improve efficacy, stability, or patient compliance.
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How does the scope of claims influence enforceability?
Broader claims extend protection but face higher invalidation risk from prior art; narrower claims are more defensible but offer limited coverage.
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When will the KR20100027243 patent expire?
Based on typical patent terms, expiration is projected around 2028-2030, after which generics may freely enter the Korean market.
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Can competitors develop similar drugs without infringement?
If they design around the specific claims—such as using different active compounds, delivery methods, or manufacturing processes—they may avoid infringement.
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Are there similar patents in other jurisdictions?
It is probable; pharmaceutical companies often file in multiple countries, creating a patent family with parallel protections.
References
- [1] South Korean Patent Office, Patent KR20100027243 - Official Document and Analysis
- [2] WIPO PATENTSCOPE, Patent Families and Global Filing Strategies
- [3] Korean Intellectual Property Office, Patent Term Regulations and Expiry Dates
