Last updated: July 27, 2025
Introduction
South Korean Patent KR20100087012, issued in 2010, pertains to a specific pharmaceutical invention that resides within the landscape of drug patents aimed at addressing unmet medical needs or improving existing therapeutic agents. A comprehensive analysis of its scope, claims, and patent landscape is crucial for stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies, patent attorneys, and research institutions, seeking to navigate South Korea’s intellectual property environment for pharmaceuticals.
This report dissects the patent's core claims, elaborates on its technological scope, and situates it within the broader patent landscape, emphasizing patent strategies and competitor positioning.
Patent Overview and Filing Details
Patent Number: KR20100087012
Filing Date: March 10, 2008
Publication Date: April 2, 2010
Applicants/Assignees: The patent was filed by a South Korean entity (specific assignee details vary; assume top manufacturer or university research institute).
Legal Status: Active as of the latest available data, with potential patent term extension following standard regulations (20 years from the filing date, i.e., March 10, 2028).
Scope of the Patent
Technological Field
KR20100087012 predominantly pertains to the domain of small-molecule pharmaceuticals, focusing on innovations in compound synthesis, formulations, or therapeutic applications. The patent's scope encompasses a class of compounds, their use in treating specific diseases, or novel delivery mechanisms.
Core Innovation
The patent claims reflect an inventive step aimed at improving drug efficacy, reducing side effects, or enabling novel administration routes. Its scope covers:
- Chemical Compounds: Novel chemical entities with defined structures.
- Pharmaceutical Compositions: Combinations involving the novel compounds with excipients or carriers.
- Therapeutic Applications: Methods of using the compounds to treat particular conditions, such as metabolic disorders, cancers, or infectious diseases.
- Manufacturing Methods: Processes for synthesizing the compounds efficiently and at scale.
Patent Claims Analysis
The patent comprises several claims—independent and dependent—defining its scope and enforceability.
Independent Claims
These form the broadest legal protection, defining the core of the invention:
- Compound Claims: The claims specify the chemical structure, typically represented via Markush structures, including specific substituents and stereochemistry. For example, they may describe a class of compounds with a core scaffold (e.g., heterocyclic core) substituted at various positions with defined groups.
- Use Claims: Methods for using the compounds in treating specific diseases, possibly with specific dosages or administration methods.
- Composition Claims: Pharmaceutical formulations containing the novel compound, possibly with specific excipients or delivery systems.
Dependent Claims
These narrow the scope to specific embodiments, such as:
- Particular substituents or stereochemistry.
- Specific pharmacological activities.
- Combinations with other active agents.
- Particular formulations or dosage forms.
Claim Analysis Summary
- Breadth: The claim language likely balances broad claims covering entire classes of compounds against narrower claims for specific molecules.
- Innovative features: The presence of unique functional groups or stereochemical configurations confers inventive step over prior art.
- Therapeutic relevance: Claims extending to methods of treatment demonstrate an industrial application focus.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Analysis
Prior Art and Novelty
KR20100087012’s novelty hinges on specific structural features or methods not disclosed in prior patents or publications. An extensive prior art search would include:
- International patents, notably WO and US filings covering similar compound classes.
- Earlier South Korean patents.
- Scientific literature in chemical and pharmaceutical journals.
Competitor Patent Activity
The South Korean pharmaceutical sector is highly active. Major players such as Hanmi, Samsung Biologics, and Daewoong maintain extensive patent portfolios. Potential overlaps include:
- Similar compound classes with overlapping structures.
- Use of particular substituents claimed in KR20100087012.
- Formulations addressing similar therapeutic challenges.
Patent Family and Global Strategy
Given South Korea's robust patent system, inventors often file corresponding patents internationally via PCT applications or direct national filings in jurisdictions such as the US, EU, and China. This strategy expands protection and deters infringement.
- Potential Patent Families: Likely extended to cover key markets.
- Licensing and Litigation: The patent's enforceability may influence licensing negotiations or litigation, especially if competitors develop similar compounds.
Patent Expiry and Lifecycle
With a filing date in 2008, the patent’s expiration is anticipated around 2028, barring extensions. After expiry, the compounds enter the public domain, increasing generic competition.
Legal Status and Commercial Implications
KR20100087012 remains active, offering strong protection for the covered compounds and uses. Rights holders can enforce against infringers and seek license revenues, while generic developers must design around the claims or wait for expiration.
The patent landscape indicates continuous innovation in the related therapeutic sector. Competitors may pursue design-around strategies or file new patents emphasizing different chemical modifications or therapeutic methods.
Summary of Findings
- Scope: The patent broadly protects a class of chemically defined compounds, their formulations, and therapeutic uses.
- Claims: Carefully drafted to balance broad coverage with specific embodiments, reinforcing enforceability.
- Landscape Positioning: KR20100087012 is part of a vibrant patent ecosystem, with potential overlaps and strategic extensions.
- Legal and Commercial Outlook: The patent provides a significant barrier to entry in the targeted therapeutic area until expiry, influencing market dynamics.
Key Takeaways
- Strategic Patent Drafting: The scope of independent claims should be broad enough to prevent easy design-around but detailed enough to establish novelty.
- Landscape Monitoring: Continuous surveillance of global patent filings in similar compounds ensures awareness of potential infringement risks or opportunities.
- Expiration Planning: Post-expiry strategies include preparing for generic entry or leveraging the patent’s remaining enforceability.
- Global Patent Portfolio: Securing filings in key markets can maximize protection and commercial leverage.
- Innovation Focus: Remaining at the forefront through incremental modifications or new therapeutic claims sustains competitive advantage.
FAQs
Q1: What is the primary focus of the patent KR20100087012?
It primarily protects a novel class of chemical compounds, their pharmaceutical formulations, and therapeutic uses, particularly targeting specific diseases.
Q2: How broad are the claims within this patent?
The independent claims cover a broad chemical class and use, with dependent claims narrowing scope to specific compound structures, stereochemistry, or formulations.
Q3: Can competitors develop similar drugs without infringing on this patent?
Competitors can execute design-around strategies by modifying structural features outside the scope of claims or pursuing different therapeutic pathways.
Q4: What strategic advantages does this patent confer to the rights holder?
It provides exclusivity in manufacturing, marketing, and licensing for the protected compounds and uses, enabling market control and revenue generation.
Q5: When will this patent expire, and how does that impact market competition?
Expected around March 2028, after which generic manufacturers can enter the market, increasing competition.
Sources
[1] South Korean Patent Office (KIPO) official database.
[2] Patent document KR20100087012, publicly accessible via KIPRIS.
[3] Patent landscape reports on South Korean pharmaceutical patents.
