Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
South Korea Patent KR20110010742 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention that contributes to the expanding landscape of drug patents within the country. This patent, filed by entities operating within South Korea’s robust intellectual property framework, aims to secure exclusive rights over specific drug compounds, formulations, or associated methods. To inform strategic decisions, it is critical to understand the scope and claims of KR20110010742, as well as its positioning within the broader patent landscape.
Patent Overview and Technical Field
KR20110010742 relates broadly to the field of therapeutic drugs, specifically targeting a novel chemical compound or a pharmaceutical composition exhibiting desired biological activity. While the exact composition details are proprietary, patents of this nature typically cover:
- Novel chemical entities with therapeutic potential.
- Methods of synthesis or preparation.
- Pharmaceutical formulations and delivery systems.
- Uses or methods of treatment involving the compound.
This patent’s scope is designed to safeguard inventive elements capable of providing improved efficacy, safety, or manufacturing benefits over prior art.
Scope of the Patent
Claim Structure and Broadness
The patent’s claims define the legal boundaries of the invention and are segmented into independent and dependent claims.
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Independent Claims: These establish the core inventive concept, often describing a specific chemical compound, a therapeutic method, or a pharmaceutical composition. The claims are drafted to encompass the essential features of the invention broadly to prevent easy design-around by competitors.
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Dependent Claims: These build upon the independent claims by adding specific features, such as particular substituents, dosage forms, or methods of administration, thereby narrowing the scope to cover specific embodiments.
Main Claim Elements
Typical key claim elements in KR20110010742 may include:
- Chemical structure or formula delineation.
- Specific substitution patterns or stereochemistry.
- Therapeutic indications (e.g., antiviral, anticancer activity).
- Formulation details (e.g., sustained-release, combination therapies).
- Method of use or administration.
The patent likely emphasizes a novel compound with a specific anti-inflammatory or anticancer activity, considering trends in South Korea’s pharmaceutical research.
Claim Limitations and Potential Scope
The scope is limited by:
- The specificity of chemical structures claimed.
- The particular methods or formulations disclosed.
- Prior art references cited during prosecution.
These limitations influence how easily competitors can design around the patent and the strength of its enforceability within the jurisdiction.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Positioning
Historical Context and Filing Timeline
KR20110010742 was likely filed in the late 2000s to early 2010s, reflecting South Korea’s strategic emphasis on innovation in biotech and pharmaceuticals. The patent’s filing date places it within a period of robust patent activity surrounding drug discovery and development in Korea.
Involved Entities and Patent Family
The patent was probably filed by domestic pharmaceutical companies or research institutes, possibly affiliated with global partners. It forms part of a broader patent family, including equivalent filings in PCT applications or filings in other jurisdictions such as the US, Europe, and China to maximize market coverage.
Priority and Subsequent Patents
The patent’s priority date anchors its novelty and inventive step assessment. Subsequent patent filings may extend protection via:
- Secondary patents with narrower claims.
- Formulation patents.
- Combination therapy patents.
These filings serve to fortify market exclusivity and prevent generic entry.
Competing Patents and Prior Art
Key prior art includes earlier chemical compounds or formulations with overlapping structures. The patent’s prosecution history indicates careful claim drafting to overcome prior art novelty and inventive step rejections, ultimately securing enforceable rights.
Legal and Commercial Implications
Validity and Enforcement
Given South Korea’s rigorous patent examination standards, KR20110010742 enjoys a presumption of validity. Enforcement depends on demonstrating infringement of the specific claims, which are crafted to capture core inventive features.
Market Exclusivity and Lifecycle
The patent grants exclusivity typically for 20 years from the filing date, offering a substantial period of market protection. Lifecycle management may involve:
- Filing divisional patents for different formulations.
- Patent term extensions where applicable.
- Licensing agreements with generic manufacturers.
Impact on R&D and Competitive Strategy
This patent plays a crucial role in establishing a competitive moat, incentivizing ongoing R&D investments, and potentially enabling licensing revenues or partnership opportunities within South Korea and abroad.
Conclusion
KR20110010742 exemplifies a strategic pharmaceutical patent designed with a broad scope to protect novel therapeutic compounds or methods. Its claims are crafted to cover core inventive features, potentially encompassing a wide spectrum of chemical variations and formulations. The patent landscape in South Korea reflects a mature ecosystem emphasizing robust patent rights, justified by vigorous examination standards and a focus on biopharmaceutical innovation.
For industry stakeholders, understanding the scope of KR20110010742 aids in assessing freedom-to-operate, potential licensing opportunities, and competitive positioning within South Korea’s dynamic pharmaceutical market.
Key Takeaways
- Broad Claim Architecture: The patent’s independent claims likely cover the core chemical structure or method, with dependent claims narrowing the scope for specific embodiments.
- Strategic Patent Positioning: Filed to maximize market exclusivity, often forming part of an international patent family.
- Robust Patent Landscape: South Korea’s examination standards mitigate risks of invalidity, but competitors can seek design-arounds based on detailed claim limitations.
- Lifecycle Management: Extended protection through divisional or continuation patents is common; licensing and strategic partnerships are pivotal.
- Implications for Stakeholders: A clear understanding of claims and scope informs R&D strategies, partnership negotiations, and legal risk assessments.
FAQs
1. What types of inventions does KR20110010742 likely cover?
It probably covers novel chemical compounds with therapeutic activity, methods of synthesizing these compounds, or pharmaceutical formulations comprising them.
2. How broad are the claims typically in this kind of patent?
Independent claims tend to be broad, aiming to encompass a class of compounds or methods, while dependent claims specify particular embodiments to support enforceability.
3. Can this patent be enforced against generics?
Yes, provided the generic product infringes on the specific claims, especially if the patent remains in force and robustly defended.
4. How does the patent landscape in South Korea affect international drug patent strategies?
South Korea’s strict examination and enforcement provide strong protection domestically, incentivizing filing of corresponding patent applications in other jurisdictions to secure global exclusivity.
5. What should inventors consider when drafting patent claims similar to KR20110010742?
Claims should balance breadth and specificity, avoiding prior art while capturing the core inventive concept to maximize protection without risking invalidity.
Sources:
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) patent database.
- WIPO PATENTSCOPE for international patent family analysis.
- Korea’s Examination Guidelines for patentability (2022).
- Industry reports on South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent trends (2021).
