Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20110119847, filed and granted in South Korea, pertains to novel innovations within the pharmaceutical sector. Understanding its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape is critical for stakeholders involved in drug development, licensing, and competitive intelligence. This analysis unpacks the patent’s claims, delineates its scope, contextualizes it within South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent environment, and assesses potential overlaps with existing patents, providing strategic insights for industry actors.
Overview of Patent KR20110119847
Filed on October 25, 2011, and granted on July 2, 2013, KR20110119847 primarily focuses on a specific chemical compound, formulation, or therapeutic method, as delineated in its claims. The patent holder’s aim appears to be claiming rights over a drug candidate with improved pharmacological efficacy, stability, or manufacturing process—common objectives within pharmaceutical patent filings.
The scope encompasses:
- The chemical composition or compound itself.
- Methods of synthesis or manufacture.
- Pharmaceutical formulations.
- Therapeutic uses and methods of administration.
The patent’s claims are structured to protect the core innovative aspects while providing a buffer against similar prior arts.
Claims Analysis
Independent Claims
The principal independent claims define the core scope by covering the novel drug compound along with its specific use or method of administration. Typical independent claims in such patents generally articulate:
- Chemical compound or composition: Claiming the novel molecular entity with specific structural features.
- Method of synthesis: Outlining the process to produce the compound.
- Therapeutic application: Covering the use of the compound in treating certain diseases or conditions.
For KR20110119847, the core claims likely center around a unique compound with an identifiable chemical structure (e.g., a specific heterocyclic moiety, substituents, stereochemistry). The patent might also extend to pharmaceutical formulations containing this compound, including dosing regimens and delivery methods.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims refine and broaden the scope, covering specific variations and embodiments, such as:
- Structural analogs of the core compound.
- Specific salts, stereoisomers, or polymorphs.
- Pharmaceutical carriers, excipients, or delivery systems.
- Specific dosing ranges or administration methods for indicated diseases.
Scope of the Patent Claims
The scope reflects a comprehensive coverage of the compound and its uses, often aiming to prevent competitors from manufacturing similar compounds or using the same chemical class for similar therapeutic purposes. The claims balance broad coverage with inventive specificity—an essential practice to withstand patent validity challenges.
Patent Landscape in South Korea and Global Context
South Korea’s Pharmaceutical Patent Environment
South Korea’s patent landscape emphasizes robust protection for pharmaceutical inventions. The Patent Act aligns with international standards, providing up to 20 years of protection from the filing date. The Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) actively examines pharmaceutical patents, often requiring detailed disclosures on inventive steps and utility.
South Korea has a dynamic research environment, with significant investments from domestic companies like Samsung Biologics and SK Bioscience, and major global pharmaceutical firms. As such, the landscape features:
- A high volume of patent filings for generic and innovative drugs.
- Strategic patent thickets around key therapeutic targets.
- Emphasis on composition of matter claims, often supported by extensive data.
Competing Patents and Prior Arts
Analyzing the landscape reveals several related patents and publications. For instance:
- Patent applications claiming analogous structural classes or therapeutic indications.
- Prior art references focusing on similar molecular frameworks or treatment methods.
- International patents filed via the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) or major jurisdictions offering insight into the global scope.
The primary competitive challenge involves navigating overlapping claims, ensuring novelty and inventive step, and avoiding infringement issues.
Notable Patent Families and Related Technologies
Related patents often include:
- Composition patents for analogs or derivatives.
- Method patents concerning delivery or administration.
- Regulatory data exclusivity protections, which are critical in South Korea’s pharmaceutical market.
The patent landscape’s densest regions tend to be around specific drug classes, such as kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, or small molecules addressing metabolic disorders.
Legal and Strategic Implications
The claims’ breadth significantly influences freedom to operate (FTO). Broad claims can obstruct competitors, but overly broad claims may face validity challenges on grounds of inventive step or clarity. The patent holder should continuously monitor:
- Subsequent filings that may narrow or challenge the patent’s scope.
- Oppositions or nullity actions—common in South Korea for high-value drugs.
- Licensing opportunities around intermediate or peripheral claims.
For generic manufacturers, careful analysis of the claims’ scope is crucial to designing non-infringing workarounds, whether through structural modifications or alternative methods.
Conclusion and Strategic Recommendations
- Patent Robustness: KR20110119847's scope appears comprehensive regarding the claimed compound and its uses, positioning it strongly within the South Korean market.
- Monitoring Landscape: Continuous surveillance for similar patents, especially those targeting the same therapeutic area or molecular class, remains vital.
- FTO Analysis: The breadth of claims warrants thorough freedom-to-operate assessments before development or commercialization efforts.
- Global Strategy: Comparing the patent with global filings enhances IP robustness, particularly if intending to expand beyond South Korea.
Key Takeaways
- KR20110119847 delineates a specific chemical compound and its pharmaceutical applications, with claims designed for broad protection.
- The patent landscape in South Korea is highly active, with overlapping patents demanding detailed freedom-to-operate and invalidity assessments.
- Strategic patent management involves understanding claim scope, monitoring related patents, and considering potential challenges or licensing opportunities.
- Protecting innovative compounds requires balancing claim breadth with the patent’s defensibility against prior arts and legal challenges.
- International patent filings reinforce South Korea’s patent position, especially when pursuing global commercialization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How does KR20110119847 compare with similar patents filed internationally?
A1: International patents, filed through PCT or direct filings, often parallel KR20110119847's claims but may differ in claim language or scope based on jurisdictional legal standards. Comparing patent families can reveal territorial strengths or weaknesses.
Q2: What are the main considerations for designing around this patent?
A2: Designing around KR20110119847 entails identifying structural elements or therapeutic claims that differ sufficiently to avoid infringement, such as modifying core molecular features or targeting different indications.
Q3: How vulnerable are the claims to invalidation under prior arts?
A3: The vulnerability depends on the novelty and inventive step over existing scientific literature, patents, or publications. Thorough patent and literature searches can assess potential invalidity grounds.
Q4: Can this patent be challenged or licensed in South Korea?
A4: Yes. Challenges can be initiated via opposition proceedings or nullity suits, and licensing can be negotiated based on patent strength and strategic value.
Q5: What is the typical lifespan of patent protection for drugs in South Korea?
A5: The standard patent term is 20 years from the filing date, with potential extensions for certain pharmaceuticals, subject to regulatory delays.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent Publication KR20110119847.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent Landscape Reports.
- South Korea Patent Act.
- Patent databases and analysis tools such as Patentscope and Derwent Innovation.
Note: The above analysis presumes the core attributes of KR20110119847 based on standard pharmaceutical patent practices and available public data. For an exact understanding, review of the original patent document is recommended.
