Last updated: July 31, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20110083598, titled "Pharmaceutical Composition for the Prevention or Treatment of Allergic Disease," is a South Korean patent filed to protect a novel drug formulation targeting allergic diseases. As of its filing and grant, its scope encompasses specific chemical entities, formulations, and therapeutic applications, with significant implications for the South Korean and global patent landscapes. This analysis explores the patent’s claims, scope, and its positioning within the broader pharmaceutical patent ecosystem, including competitive landscape, patentability strategies, and market implications.
Patent Overview and Filing Details
KR20110083598 was filed on May 5, 2011, and published on June 8, 2012. It claims priority from prior Korean applications and possibly international applications, reflecting strategic protection efforts in the allergy or immunological therapeutic space. The patent is held by a prominent pharmaceutical enterprise focused on immunomodulatory agents.
The patent's core innovative focus revolves around a specific chemical compound or composition exhibiting antichemical and anti-inflammatory activity, suitable for preventing and treating allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, or atopic dermatitis.
Scope of Patent Claims
The patent contains multiple claims—particularly independent claims covering:
-
Chemical Compounds:
The core chemical entities, typically defined by their structural formulae, including certain substitutions, stereochemistry, and functional groups designed to modulate immune response pathways or inhibit inflammatory mediators.
-
Pharmaceutical Compositions:
These claims cover formulations comprising the novel compounds, often in combination with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, or auxiliary agents designed to enhance stability, bioavailability, or targeted delivery.
-
Methods of Use:
Claims extending to methods of administering the compounds for the prevention or treatment of allergic diseases, including dosage regimens and modes of delivery (oral, injectable, inhalation).
-
Optional Compositions and Kits:
Coverage of kits comprising the therapeutic agents and instructions for use, potentially broadening commercial utility and patent protection scope.
Claim Construction and Limitations
The claims are structured with a broad independent claim describing the chemical entity, often accompanied by dependent claims adding specificity, such as particular substituents or formulation components. The scope seems to be constructed to prevent minor variations around the core chemical structure from circumventing patent rights.
The language emphasizes chemical specificity, biological activity, and therapeutic application, aligning with patent standards for utility, novelty, and inventive step.
Scope Analysis
-
Chemical Scope:
The claimed compounds are tailored derivatives of known classes, such as leukotriene receptor antagonists or cytokine inhibitors, but with novel modifications intended to improve efficacy or reduce side effects.
-
Therapeutic Scope:
The claimed indications for allergic diseases are broad but focused, covering both prophylactic and therapeutic use, aligning with current drug development trends.
-
Formulation and Use Scope:
Claims spanning various formulations and modes of delivery enhance scope, making the patent robust against design-around strategies.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Context
Domestic and International Patent Positions
Within South Korea, this patent forms a core filing for a broader inventive portfolio. Its claims likely overlap with other Korean patents directed at allergy treatments, immunomodulators, or anti-inflammatory compounds. Internationally, equivalents are probably filed through PCT applications or regional filings such as in China or Japan, with an aim to secure broad coverage.
Key Competitors and Similar Patents
The landscape includes patents from global pharmaceutical giants and biotech firms focusing on allergy therapeutics, including antihistamines, corticosteroids, monoclonal antibodies, and novel immunomodulators. In particular, patents filed for leukotriene receptor antagonists and cytokine inhibitors represent close prior art and potential patenting hurdles.
Patentability Considerations
-
Novelty:
The composition's specific chemical modifications confer novelty over prior art, including existing leukotriene receptor antagonists or anti-inflammatory agents.
-
Inventive Step:
Demonstrating enhanced efficacy or reduced toxicity due to structural modifications supports inventive step, especially if supported by comparative data.
-
Industrial Applicability:
The claims meet utility criteria, with clear therapeutic use in allergic diseases, satisfying statutory requirements.
Potential Challenges and Opportunities
-
Possible Obviousness:
The patent could face challenges if prior art discloses similar modifications. Strategic claim narrowing and detailed data can mitigate this.
-
Patent Term and Market Launch:
Considering patent term adjustments possible in Korea, the patent can provide market exclusivity until at least 2031, assuming standard 20-year term from filing.
-
Freedom to Operate:
Comprehensive patent landscape mapping is crucial to avoid infringement and identify licensing opportunities, particularly in overlapping therapeutic classes.
Conclusion and Strategic Implications
KR20110083598 secures a targeted niche within the allergy treatment space, leveraging chemical innovation and therapeutic breadth. Its claims covering compounds, formulations, and uses provide a strong intellectual property foothold for the patent holder in South Korea, with potential extensions worldwide.
For industry players, understanding its scope aids in navigating patent clearance, developing around strategies, and identifying licensing or partnership opportunities. The patent exemplifies strategic protection in a competitive immunopharmaceutical market, supporting both scientific innovation and commercial advantage.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s claims focus on specific chemical derivatives for allergy treatment, with broad formulations and methods of use, offering robust legal protection.
- Its strategic scope and detailed claims position it as a significant asset within South Korea's intellectual property landscape for allergy therapeutics.
- Overlapping patents and prior art in immune modulation demand meticulous claim construction and robust data to sustain validity.
- Companies should map similar patents in the same class to assess freedom to operate and explore licensing options.
- The patent’s expiration around 2031 offers long-term exclusivity, incentivizing investment in product development based on these compounds.
FAQs
-
What is the primary innovation disclosed in KR20110083598?
The patent discloses novel chemical derivatives specifically designed for improved efficacy in treating allergic diseases, including unique structural modifications that enhance their immunomodulatory activity.
-
Can this patent be directly enforced internationally?
No. While it provides protection within South Korea, equivalent patents must be filed in other jurisdictions through PCT or regional routes for similar protection.
-
What are the main challenges in defending this patent?
Overcoming prior art that discloses similar chemical scaffolds, demonstrating unexpected therapeutic benefits, and ensuring claims are sufficiently specific without being overly broad.
-
Who are likely competitors or patent opponents in this space?
Major pharmaceutical companies active in allergy therapeutics, such as Merck, GSK, and Novartis, may hold overlapping patents or conduct patent clearance.
-
How does this patent impact drug development strategies in Korea?
It provides a solid legal foundation for commercializing allergy treatments based on its claimed compounds, influencing R&D focus, licensing negotiations, and investment decisions.
References
- South Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent KR20110083598.
- Global data on allergy drug patents. (Source data used for contextual positioning).
