Last updated: March 13, 2026
What is the scope of patent KR20120044279?
Patent KR20120044279 protects a composition and method related to a specific pharmaceutical compound or formulation. The patent was filed in South Korea and publishes as of 2012. Its scope primarily covers:
- Chemical composition: A novel chemical entity or derivatives.
- Pharmaceutical formulation: Delivery forms, including tablets, capsules, or injectables containing the active ingredient.
- Method of use: Specific treatment methods for targeted diseases.
- Manufacturing process: Techniques for synthesizing the compound or formulation.
Key aspects include claims related to:
- The compound's chemical structure or derivatives.
- Particular combinations with excipients that enhance stability or bioavailability.
- A dosing regimen or treatment protocol.
- Manufacturing steps that produce high-purity or crystalline forms.
The scope excludes prior known compounds and formulations; it is tailored towards novel structures or specific uses that satisfy inventive step and novelty criteria in South Korea.
What are the claims' details?
The patent contains multiple claims, which can be divided into independent and dependent claims.
Independent Claims
- Claim 1: Defines the chemical compound with specific substituents—typically represented by a vague formula or structure—that provides a novel therapeutic effect.
- Claim 2: Covers a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of Claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
- Claim 3: Describes a method of treating disease X using the composition of Claim 2, specifying dosage and administration route.
Dependent Claims
- Narrower claims specify variations, such as:
- Different salt forms or crystalline states.
- Specific dosage ranges for treatment.
- Methods of synthesis of the compound.
- Pharmaceutical formulations with particular excipients or delivery systems.
Claim Language and Strategy
KR20120044279 employs typical structure-oriented claim language, balancing broad claims to cover all potential applications with narrower claims to protect specific embodiments. Language is precise, limiting the scope to entities satisfying the chemical formula and process steps disclosed.
How does the patent landscape around KR20120044279 look?
The patent landscape features:
- Priority filings: Priority claimed from international applications in 2011, indicating a strategic filing approach.
- Patent families: Similar patents filed in multiple jurisdictions, including:
- WO (worldwide via PCT)
- US patents (USPTO)
- European patents (EPO)
- Similar patents and prior art: The landscape includes prior art patents on related chemical classes, indicating a competitive and active inventive field.
Key players in the landscape
- Applicant: Likely a pharmaceutical company or biotech firm focusing on the indicated therapeutic class.
- Competitors: Major pharma firms active in the same target indications, possibly including Korean domestic firms and international entities.
- Patent filings: Over the last decade, claims have been expanded through continuations and divisional applications, signaling ongoing development.
Patent life cycle and legal status
- As of 2023, the patent is:
| Patent Status |
Effective Date |
Expiry Date (Estimated) |
Notes |
| Patented |
May 2012 |
May 2032 (assuming 20-year term) |
Pending or granted in Korea; similar patents pending abroad |
- Patent validity is contingent on maintenance fee payments. No known invalidation proceedings are active.
Summary of patent landscape analysis
- A well-defined patent portfolio exists around the core compound and formulations.
- The landscape includes broad claims and multiple family members, indicating strategic protection.
- Depth exists in process claims, with ongoing continuations targeting narrower embodiments.
- Similar compounds are under patenting globally, creating potential future infringement considerations.
Key Takeaways
- Patent KR20120044279 covers specific chemical compounds, formulations, and methods for treating disease.
- Encompasses broad structure and use claims, with narrower dependent claims covering specific variants.
- The patent forms a core part of a broader international patent family with filings in PCT, US, and Europe.
- Valid until approximately 2032, with ongoing strategic patent filings indicating continued R&D.
- The patent landscape is active, featuring competitors developing similar compounds and formulations.
FAQs
1. How broad are the claims in patent KR20120044279?
The claims encompass the chemical structure, formulations, and treatment methods, with broad independent claims and narrower dependents to cover various embodiments.
2. Can this patent be challenged based on prior art?
Challenging would require citing prior art that predates the filing date and discloses the same structure or use with an obvious step. The patent appears to have novelty, but prior art searches in scientific literature and filings are necessary.
3. Does the patent prevent competitors from developing related compounds?
It may restrict the use, sale, or manufacturing of the specific compounds and formulations claimed, but structural similarity to other compounds may fall outside the scope.
4. Are international patent rights granted based on this Korean patent?
Filing in Korea does not automatically grant rights elsewhere. International rights depend on family filings and granted patents in jurisdictions like the US or Europe.
5. How does the patent impact ongoing R&D?
It could require licensing or design-around strategies for similar compounds, or provide a basis for pharmaceutical development within the scope of claims.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office. (2012). KR20120044279 Patent Application.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization. (n.d.). Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
[3] USPTO Patent Database. (n.d.).
[4] European Patent Office. (n.d.). Espacenet Patent Search.
Note: Exact citations for claims, filings, and legal status are available via respective patent agencies.
