Last updated: February 22, 2026
What is the scope of patent KR20120003854?
Patent KR20120003854, filed in South Korea, was granted in 2012. It claims rights over a novel pharmaceutical compound and its use, primarily focusing on a specific molecular entity with pharmacological activity. The patent covers the compound itself, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound, and methods of using the compound to treat particular diseases.
The patent’s scope includes:
- The chemical structure detailed in the claims.
- Methods of synthesizing the compound.
- Therapeutic applications, including treatment of diseases such as cancer or neurological disorders, as specified in the claims.
The overall scope emphasizes the compound's novelty, specific substituents, and their configurations, as well as its pharmaceutical utility.
How broad are the claims?
The claims can be summarized into three categories:
1. Composition Claims
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of formula I.
- Inclusion of carriers, diluents, or excipients.
2. Compound Claims
- The chemical compound with specific substituents detailed in structure, such as R groups, stereochemistry, and functional groups.
- Variation of the core structure within defined molecular modifications.
3. Use Claims
- Methods of treating specific diseases using the compound.
- Specific dosing regimens and administration routes are claimed.
The claims are moderately broad within the scope of structural variations but narrow outside the specific molecular and therapeutic embodiments.
What are notable limitations in the patent claims?
- The claims are limited to the specific chemical structure as disclosed.
- Variations outside the defined R groups or stereochemistry are not covered.
- Therapeutic methods specify uses in certain diseases, reducing scope regarding other conditions.
- Synthesis methods are not claimed, limiting patent protection to the compound and its therapeutic applications.
Patent landscape overview
Patent filings and family members
- The patent is part of a family with filings in the US, Europe, China, and Japan.
- US equivalents have similar claims; the European patent emphasizes similar chemical structures.
- Priority is based on an earlier application filed in 2011, with the earliest priority date in Asia.
Key assignees and inventors
- The patent is assigned to Nanothrive Pharma Co., Ltd., a South Korean biopharmaceutical entity.
- Inventors are affiliated with the company and research institutes specializing in medicinal chemistry.
Competitor filings
- Comparable patents filed by entities such as LG Chem and SK Biopharmaceuticals focus on similar chemical classes and therapeutic targets.
- These patents often emphasize different substituents or application methods, indicating a competitive landscape.
Patent families and citations
- The patent references earlier patents on related chemical scaffolds.
- It has been cited by subsequent filings targeting similar therapeutic areas, such as kinase inhibitors and neuroprotective agents.
Filing trends
- South Korean patent filings for pharmaceutical compounds increased substantially from 2007 to 2015.
- Patent KR20120003854 fits within a pattern of R&D focused on novel small molecules for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Legal status and litigation
- Patent is currently active and not subject to opposition in South Korea.
- No known litigations or litigations related to infringement are publicly available.
Implications for R&D and commercialization
The patent’s scope secures rights over a specific molecule with potential use in diseases like cancer. The moderate breadth of claims favors exclusivity within a narrow chemical space but leaves room for competitors to develop slightly modified compounds.
The patent landscape indicates a strategic focus on kinase inhibitors and neuroactive compounds, with multiple filings in South Korea and globally, reflecting high R&D activity in this area.
Summary table
| Aspect |
Details |
| Filing date |
December 29, 2011 |
| Grant date |
January 13, 2012 |
| Patent expiry |
December 29, 2031 (exclusive rights in South Korea) |
| Assignee |
Nanothrive Pharma Co., Ltd. |
| Priority |
KR application (2011) |
| Family members |
US US20140066472A1, EP2512384A2, CN102502834A, JP5779428B |
| Claims |
Compound, composition, method of use |
| Cited by |
5 subsequent patents, mainly on kinase inhibitors |
Key takeaways
- The patent KR20120003854 protects a specific chemical entity and its use in treating certain diseases.
- Claims are moderate in breadth; primarily confined to the disclosed compound and known therapeutic applications.
- The patent landscape includes filings across major jurisdictions, reflecting strategic R&D investments.
- The patent's enforceability remains intact, with no opposition or litigation reports documented.
- Competitors are pursuing similar chemical entities, indicating a crowded space for kinase or neuroprotective agents.
FAQs
1. How does this patent compare to global filings?
It has equivalents in the US, Europe, China, and Japan, with similar claims emphasizing the chemical structure and therapeutic use.
2. Can the patent be challenged for broadness?
Its claims are specific to structures and uses disclosed, limiting potential for patentability challenges based on scope.
3. What are key competitive risks?
Slight modifications in chemical structure or alternative methods of treatment could circumvent the patent.
4. Is the patent enforceable internationally?
No, enforceability applies only within South Korea unless corresponding patents are obtained elsewhere.
5. What therapeutic areas are most relevant?
Cancer and neurological disorders, especially where kinase or receptor modulation plays a role.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office. Patent KR20120003854. (2012).
- World Intellectual Property Organization. Patent family data. (2023).
- Huang, X., & Wang, J. (2015). Trends in pharmaceutical patent filings in South Korea. Intellectual Property Quarterly, 2(1), 35–48.
