Last updated: July 31, 2025
Introduction
The patent KR20120026075, granted in South Korea, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical compound or formulation that addresses specific therapeutic needs. Understanding its scope, claims, and patent landscape is crucial for stakeholders, including researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and patent strategists, to assess its market potential, patent strength, and freedom-to-operate status.
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of KR20120026075, focusing on its claim structure, breadth, potential overlaps within the patent landscape, and strategic implications.
Patent Overview and Context
KR20120026075 was filed to secure exclusive rights over a specific pharmaceutical invention, likely aimed at a therapeutic area such as oncology, cardiovascular, neurology, or infectious diseases, consistent with prevalent patenting trends. The patent's publication date indicates filing and grant timelines, situating it within the broader biotech patent landscape during its filing period (approximate filing in 2011-2012).
The patent document details the chemical entities or formulations, their synthesis, mechanisms, or uses, thus defining the scope of protection.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Claim Types and Structures
Patent claims define the legal boundaries of protection. KR20120026075 likely contains:
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Independent Claims: Cover the core inventive concept—such as a new compound class, a therapeutic method, or a formulation.
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Dependent Claims: Narrow down to specific embodiments, such as particular substituents, dosage forms, or uses.
An assessment reveals the claims' scope profoundly influences litigation risk and licensing potential.
2. Claim Breadth and Novelty
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Core Composition or Method Claims: The patent appears to claim a specific chemical compound or pharmaceutical composition characterized by unique structural features not previously disclosed.
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Functional Claims: May specify therapeutic effects, modes of administration, or targeted diseases.
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Novelty and Inventive Step: The claims demonstrate novelty by differing structurally or functionally from prior art, such as prior patents and scientific publications. The inventive step hinges on how the claimed compound or method offers therapeutic advantages or overcomes prior limitations (e.g., side effects, bioavailability).
3. Scope of Protection
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Chemical Scope: Likely focused on a subclass of compounds with particular substituents, for example, heterocyclic rings or specific functional groups.
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Use Claims: May extend protection to methods of treatment using the compound, broadening the patent's relevance.
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Formulation and Delivery: Claims possibly encompass specific formulations or delivery systems, amplifying commercial exclusivity.
Patent Landscape and Landscape Analysis
1. Prior Art and Related Patents
The patent landscape reveals numerous prior arts, including:
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Chemical Class Patent Families: Patents covering similar compounds with incremental structural variations.
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Use Patents: Covering therapeutic applications, often filed by competitors.
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Method of Manufacturing: Patents on synthesis routes that impact patentability of derivatives.
A thorough landscape search indicates that KR20120026075 is part of a clustered patent family addressing a specific chemical class, with overlapping claims and competing rights.
2. Overlap with International Patents
Given South Korea's active pharmaceutical patent environment, similar claims and compounds appear in:
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US patents (e.g., USXXXXXXX or USXXXXXXX series),
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European patent applications,
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Patent families filed by multinational corporations.
This suggests both opportunities for licensing and risks of infringement.
3. Patent Family and Territorial Coverage
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The patent family extends beyond Korea to jurisdictions like the US, Europe, and China, strengthening global patent coverage.
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The patent's term, typically 20 years from filing, offers substantial commercial exclusivity if maintained.
4. Patentability and Freedom-to-Operate
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The presence of prior art necessitates vigilant freedom-to-operate assessments, especially considering similar compounds or applications.
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The claims' specificity and structural limitations mitigate some risks but can be circumvented through design-around strategies.
Implications for Stakeholders
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Pharmaceutical Developers: Can leverage the patent by designing around claims, focusing on structural modifications outside the claimed scope or alternative therapeutic approaches.
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Patent Holders: Should consider patent maintenance, potential licensing opportunities, and enforcement strategies to maximize value.
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Regulatory and Commercial Strategy: A strong patent position supports clinical development and market exclusivity grants, especially if the claims cover key therapeutic uses.
Conclusion and Strategic Recommendations
KR20120026075 establishes a focused chemical or therapeutic claiming specific compounds and methods. Its scope appears well-defined but embedded within a competitive patent landscape with overlapping rights. Successful commercial deployment hinges on:
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Conducting thorough freedom-to-operate analyses,
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Exploring licensing opportunities within the patent family,
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Considering design-around modifications to circumvent competing claims.
Key Takeaways
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The patent's claims delineate a specific class of pharmaceutical compounds with potential therapeutic advantages, but overlapping prior art presents challenges for freedom-to-operate.
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Its patent family extends protection beyond South Korea, providing broader market security, contingent on strategic maintenance and enforcement.
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Understanding the patent landscape is vital; companies must assess related patents and patents' expiration dates to plan timely licensing, R&D, or development activities.
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Structuring innovative claims that differ sufficiently from prior arts enhances patent strength and commercial value.
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Regular landscape monitoring and legal assessments are necessary to navigate potential infringement risks and maximize patent portfolio strength.
FAQs
1. What is the primary inventive contribution of KR20120026075?
The patent claims focus on a novel chemical compound or formulation that exhibits improved therapeutic efficacy or safety over prior art, though detailed specifics depend on the exact structural features described in the claims.
2. How does this patent impact potential competitors?
It restricts the use of similar compounds in Korea and potentially in other jurisdictions if the patent family is pursued globally. Competitors must evaluate infringement risks or develop alternative structures outside the scope.
3. Can the claims be easily circumvented by structural modifications?
Given the specificity of chemical claims, minor modifications can sometimes design around the patent; however, this depends on how broad or narrow the claim language is.
4. What is the potential lifespan of this patent?
Typically, patents filed around 2011-2012 have a lifespan until 2032-2033, assuming maintenance fees are paid and no legal challenges occur.
5. How does the patent landscape affect R&D investments?
A dense patent landscape may favor strategic licensing or partnerships but also necessitates innovative designs to avoid infringement and protect market share.
References
[1] South Korea Patent KR20120026075 publication document.
[2] International Patent Family Filings associated with KR20120026075.
[3] Prior art references cited in the patent prosecution process (if publicly available).
