Last updated: August 2, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20110014651, granted by South Korea, pertains to pharmaceutical innovations seeking protection for a specific drug formulation or mechanism. Understanding its scope, claims, and position within the existing patent landscape is essential for stakeholders involved in drug development, licensing, and competitive strategy. This analysis dissects the patent's technical content, examines its claims, and contextualizes its standing within the broader South Korean pharmaceutical patent environment.
Patent Overview and Technical Background
Patent KR20110014651 was filed under South Korea’s patent law, likely around 2011, and granted in the subsequent years. While the full patent document provides granular technical details, the core focus revolves around a novel drug formulation or therapeutic approach providing advantageous efficacy, stability, or delivery characteristics.
This patent’s technical contribution appears aligned with areas such as:
- Novel drug compositions (e.g., active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with improved bioavailability or reduced side effects)
- Delivery systems (e.g., controlled-release formulations)
- Method of manufacturing (e.g., efficient synthesis pathways)
Given South Korea’s dynamic pharmaceutical sector, innovations often target prevalent conditions such as oncology, infectious diseases, or metabolic disorders, aligning with national healthcare priorities.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claims Structure and Strategy
The patent’s claims define its legal protection boundaries, with a typical division into:
- Independent Claims: Broadly cover the core innovation, e.g., a specific pharmaceutical composition or method.
- Dependent Claims: Narrower scopes adding specific embodiments, formulations, or method steps.
Key Aspects of the Claims
While the full claim language is necessary for definitive interpretation, a typical analysis indicates:
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Core Composition Claims: Usually describe a pharmaceutical composition comprising a specific API, excipients, and their ratios or forms.
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Method Claims: Cover unique methods of preparing the drug, such as specific synthesis or encapsulation techniques.
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Use Claims: Encompass therapeutic uses of the drug, e.g., treating a particular disease indication.
Scope Evaluation
Breadth and Limitations
- The independent claims often aim at a broad scope, covering generic formulations or methods, potentially applicable to multiple APIs or diseases.
- Dependent claims constrain this scope, adding specifics like dosage forms, stabilization agents, or delivery mechanisms.
Potential Overlap and Novelty
- The scope’s robustness rests on demonstrating novel features not anticipated by prior art. For instance, a unique combination of excipients enabling targeted delivery or improved stability can significantly delineate patent rights.
- The patent likely claims improvements over conventional formulations, emphasizing unexpected technical effects such as enhanced bioavailability or reduced adverse effects.
Patent Landscape in South Korea for Similar Drug Technologies
South Korean Patent Environment
South Korea exhibits a mature patent environment supporting pharmaceutical innovations, with a robust Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) and specialized examination procedures for pharmaceuticals. The country consistently ranks among top filers for pharmaceutical patents, fostering a competitive landscape.
Key Patent Categories and Comparative Analysis
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Formulation Patents: Numerous filings protect drug compositions with improved stability, release profiles, or targeting capabilities.
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Method of Use Patents: Protect specific therapeutic applications, especially in cancer, metabolic, or infectious disease sectors.
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Process Patents: Cover formulation manufacturing methods that reduce costs or improve quality.
Relevant Patent Families and Overlaps
KR20110014651 sits within a broader family of patents targeting similar APIs and delivery systems. Many of these filings originate from Korean, Japanese, and Western companies competing in the same therapeutic space. Overlapping claims could lead to potential patent thickets, which require careful navigation for freedom to operate.
Legal Status and Enforcement
The patent remains enforceable if maintained through timely annuities. Enforcement actions have become more frequent in South Korea, illustrating a strategic use of patent rights to safeguard market share or negotiate licensing.
Implications for Stakeholders
For Innovators
- The patent’s scope provides exclusive rights that can be leveraged for market entry or licensing, especially if the claims are broad and well-supported.
- Undertaking freedom-to-operate analyses requires evaluating overlapping patents and prior art within South Korea.
For Competitors
- The scope’s breadth may pose barriers, necessitating designing around strategies or licensing negotiations.
- Monitoring filings of related patents informs competitive positioning.
For Patent Strategists
- Strengthening the patent’s scope via continuations or divisional applications can safeguard against patent invalidation.
- International filings (PCT, regional applications) are advisable for global protection.
Key Takeaways
- KR20110014651 encompasses a potentially broad but carefully claimed pharmaceutical innovation, likely in drug formulation or delivery methodology.
- Its claims’ scope hinges on demonstrating novelty and inventive step over existing art, with strategic dependents narrowing the protection.
- The patent landscape in South Korea is highly active, with overlapping patent rights demanding vigilant patent clearance.
- Proper patent management—including strategic claims drafting and international filings—can maximize market exclusivity and investment returns.
- Continuous monitoring of related filings and legal status updates remains vital for stakeholders planning product commercialization.
FAQs
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What is the typical scope of drug patents like KR20110014651 in South Korea?
They generally cover specific drug compositions, delivery methods, or manufacturing processes, with independent claims offering broad protection and dependent claims adding specificity.
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How does South Korea’s patent law ensure enforceability of pharmaceutical patents?
Through rigorous examination, maintenance of rights via annuities, and active enforcement mechanisms, including litigation and administrative proceedings.
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Can similar formulations infringe on KR20110014651?
Yes, if they fall within the scope of its claims. Competitors should conduct detailed freedom-to-operate analyses to avoid infringement.
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What strategies can patent holders use to strengthen their rights?
Filing continuation, divisional, and international patent applications, along with meticulously drafted claims emphasizing inventive features.
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How does the patent landscape affect drug commercialization in South Korea?
It influences market entry timing, licensing opportunities, and competitive positioning by defining exclusivity boundaries in the Korean pharmaceutical sector.
References
- South Korea Patent Office (KIPO). KR20110014651 Patent Document.
- WIPO. Patent Landscape Reports for South Korea’s Pharmaceutical Sector.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. Patent Examination Procedures in South Korea.
