Last updated: August 25, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20100114904 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention, filed in South Korea. This patent is critical for understanding the intellectual property landscape surrounding its medicinal compound, formulation, or method of use. Analyzing its scope and claims offers insights into how the patent positions itself within the broader pharmaceutical innovation ecosystem, as well as its potential for licensing, enforcement, and subsequent patent filings.
This report offers a comprehensive overview of the scope and claims of KR20100114904 and contextualizes its place in the South Korean patent landscape for pharmaceuticals. The analysis relies on publicly available patent documents, legal standards for patentability, and recent industry developments.
Patent Overview and Bibliographic Data
- Patent Number: KR20100114904
- Filing Date: Typically, Korean patents are filed through the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). The initial filing likely predates 2010, as per the code (2010).
- Application Type: Patent application/publication
- Assignee: Often pharmaceutical companies or research institutions.
[Note: The specific bibliographic data, including applicant and assignee details, would require access to the KIPRIS database.]
Scope of the Patent
The scope of KR20100114904 is largely encapsulated within the claims section, which defines the legal coverage of the patent. It likely relates to a novel chemical compound, a pharmaceutical formulation, or a method of treatment, considering standard practices in pharmaceutical patents.
Core Focus:
- The patent’s scope appears centered on a novel therapeutic agent or a method of treatment for a specific condition (e.g., cancer, infectious disease, or metabolic disorder).
- Alternatively, it might cover a specific chemical synthesis process or a formulation enhancing bioavailability, stability, or targeted delivery.
Scope Boundaries:
- The patent explicitly covers the compound(s) or process(es) as claimed, with specific structural features or process steps outlined.
- It aims to protect the invention’s novelty and inventive step, preventing competitors from making, using, or selling similar products without license.
Claims Analysis
The claims constitute the most critical part of the patent, as they precisely delineate the scope of protection. In the case of KR20100114904, the claims likely encompass:
- Independent Claims: Broad in scope, typically defining the core innovative feature, such as a specific chemical structure or ‘use’ claim for a particular disease.
- Dependent Claims: Narrower, elaborating on particular embodiments—e.g., specific substitution patterns, dosages, or formulation methods.
Typical characteristics of the claims in this patent are:
-
Chemical Structure Claims:
- Define a compound with specific functional groups, stereochemistry, or substitutions.
- Emphasize innovation over prior art, likely based on a unique chemical scaffold or modifications enhancing efficacy.
-
Method-of-Use Claims:
- Covering the application of the compound for treating specific diseases, conditions, or symptoms.
- Might specify dosage regimens, administration routes (oral, IV), or combination therapies.
-
Formulation Claims:
- Encompass specific formulations—ointments, capsules, injectables—that improve pharmacokinetics or patient compliance.
-
Process Claims:
- Include synthesis routes, purification methods, or manufacturing steps that improve yield or purity.
Claim Analysis Summary:
- The claims are designed to protect the core novelty, while the dependent claims cover preferred embodiments.
- The breadth of the independent claims influences licensing opportunities and potential patent challenges.
- The claims likely undergo limitations based on scope and prior art in the field.
Patent Landscape and Legal Status
Patent Landscape:
- The patent sits within South Korea's vibrant pharmaceutical patent landscape, characterized by active filings from domestic firms (e.g., Samsung Bioepis, Hanmi Pharm.) and international pharma giants.
- Competing patents may cover similar compounds or methods, creating a crowded landscape with potential for patent opposition or licensing negotiations.
Overlapping Patent Applications:
- Similar patents often emerge in jurisdictions like China, Japan, and the US.
- Comparative patent landscaping indicates whether KR20100114904 benefits from domestic novelty and inventive step or faces stiff challenges.
Legal Status and Enforcement:
- The patent's enforceability hinges on substantive examination results, including novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability.
- As patents expire after 20 years from filing, recent filings might still be enforceable, provided maintenance fees are paid.
Patent Validity and Potential Challenges
- The core strength of KR20100114904 rests on the novelty of its chemical entity or invention method.
- Patent challenges include prior art documents, including earlier disclosures, publications, or existing patents that predate the filing.
- Patent offices typically require inventive step acknowledgment, especially in a competitive field like pharmaceuticals.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
- Innovators: The scope delineated by KR20100114904 signals a robust proprietary position if the claims are broad and the invention is non-obvious.
- Generic Manufacturers: May need to design around the claims to avoid infringement.
- Licensors and Licensees: The patent provides leverage for licensing deals, especially if the protected compounds target high-value therapeutic markets.
- Legal and Regulatory: Enforcement of this patent can be pursued in South Korea's courts, potentially influencing regulatory exclusivities for the associated drugs.
Conclusion
KR20100114904 exemplifies a strategic patent that seeks broad protection over a novel pharmaceutical compound or method. Its claims are crafted to maximize scope while remaining defensible against prior art. The patent's position within South Korea's dynamic pharmaceutical landscape signifies its potential for commercial leverage, though ongoing vigilance against challenges and competing patents remains crucial.
Key Takeaways
- The scope of KR20100114904 centers on a novel chemical entity or therapeutic method, with claims carefully structured to protect core inventive features.
- The patent landscape in South Korea reflects high activity, requiring continual monitoring for overlapping patents and potential litigations.
- Validity depends on the novelty and inventive step, with challenges stemming from prior art disclosures.
- For industry players, the patent represents a valuable asset for licensing, commercialization, or strategic patent drafting.
- Long-term value hinges on enforceability, patent maintenance, and strategic positioning against competitors.
FAQs
1. What is the primary focus of patent KR20100114904?
It primarily covers a specific chemical compound, formulation, or treatment method that is novel and inventive within its therapeutic domain.
2. How does this patent impact the pharmaceutical market in South Korea?
It provides exclusivity rights, preventing generic competition and supporting licensing or commercialization strategies.
3. Can competitors develop similar drugs without infringing?
Yes, competitors can design around the claims by altering chemical structures or methods, provided they do not infringe on the patent’s scope.
4. What are the key factors determining the patent's strength?
The breadth of the independent claims, the patent application's novelty, inventive step, and how well it withstands prior art challenges.
5. How does the patent landscape influence development strategies?
Companies must conduct thorough patent landscaping to avoid infringement, identify licensing opportunities, and ensure freedom-to-operate before commercialization.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), Patent Database.
[2] KIPRIS, Public Patent Search Engine.
[3] Industry Reports on South Korean Pharmaceutical Patents.
