Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
The patent KR20120093321, filed in South Korea, pertains to innovations in pharmaceutical compositions or methods related to a specific drug candidate. As intellectual property rights are critical in the pharmaceutical industry for securing market exclusivity and fostering R&D investments, understanding the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape surrounding KR20120093321 provides valuable insights into its strategic importance.
This analysis dissects the patent’s scope and claims, contextualizes it within the Korean and international patent environments, and evaluates its influence on subsequent patent filings and competitive dynamics.
Patent Overview and Background
KR20120093321 was published in 2012, targeting a specific pharmaceutical compound or formulation—details typically available upon review of the patent document itself. While the specific compound details are not provided here, the patent likely centers on:
- Novel chemical entities or derivatives.
- Innovative formulations or delivery mechanisms.
- Use or method of treatment for specific indications.
Given the typical structure of Korean patents, the document likely claims priority from an earlier application, possibly in other jurisdictions, and aims for broad protection within the scope of the disclosed invention.
Scope of the Patent: Key Aspects
The scope of KR20120093321 encompasses:
1. Chemical Composition or Compound Claims
Claims generally cover a specific chemical entity or derivatives thereof, characterized by unique structural features. These claims establish the core innovation, defining what constitutes the protected molecule and enabling subsequent derivative claims.
2. Formulation and Dosage Claims
The patent likely extends to specific pharmaceutical formulations, including combinations with excipients or carriers, that enhance stability, bioavailability, or targeted delivery.
3. Method of Use Claims
Method claims specify particular therapeutic applications, such as treatments for cancer, neurological disorders, or infectious diseases. These claims protect the method of administering the compound under defined conditions.
4. Manufacturing Process Claims
Rarely, but potentially, the patent could include claims on the process of synthesizing the compound, which can be integral in protecting the innovation from generic manufacturers.
Scope Boundaries and Limitations
The claims’ scope likely includes specific structural motifs or parameters but may also contain broader claims covering subclasses of compounds. It’s crucial for patent owners to balance broad claims protecting against competitors while maintaining validity over prior art.
Claims Analysis
Examining patent claims yields insights into the strategic breadth:
1. Independent Claims
The independent claims typically define the core invention, such as:
- A chemical compound with a specified structure.
- A pharmaceutical formulation containing the compound.
- A method of treating a disease with the compound.
Their language emphasizes novelty and inventive step, avoiding prior art references.
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow the scope, adding features such as specific substituents, dosage forms, or administration routes. These provide layered protection and fallback positions if the independent claims are challenged.
3. Claim Strategy and Novelty
The claims aim to carve out a unique niche in the patent landscape—either through novel structural features, particular therapeutic indications, or innovative delivery methods.
Comparison with prior art suggests the patent attempts to extend protection beyond known compounds, focusing on modifications that confer improved efficacy or safety profiles.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Context
1. National and International Patent Environment
KR20120093321 fits within the broader pharmaceutical patent landscape, where rapid filings and strategic claim drafting are vital. South Korea’s patent system emphasizes substantive examination of patentability, requiring disclosures of novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability.
International Patent Family: If priority was claimed from an earlier application (e.g., US, EP, WO), the patent’s scope aligns with global patent strategies, bolstering market exclusivity across multiple jurisdictions.
2. Patent Families and Related Applications
Within the patent family, similar applications may exist uncovering related compounds or methods. These applications often serve to strengthen patent protection and provide freedom-to-operate analyses.
3. Patent Citations and Prior Art
Analysis of citations includes:
- Backward citations: Prior patents or publications acknowledged as background.
- Forward citations: Subsequent patents citing KR20120093321, indicating influence and technological relevance.
A significant number of forward citations suggest the patent’s foundational role within its technical domain.
4. Potential Patent Challenges
The strength of claims may be tested via challenges based on prior art or obviousness. Broad claim language increases risk but provides wider coverage; narrower claims are easier to defend but more limited.
Legal and Commercial Significance
- The patent provides market exclusivity for specific compounds or methods in South Korea, potentially extending to clients’ regional strategies if linked to international applications.
- It could block generics during patent life, providing leverage for licensing or partnership negotiations.
- The scope impacts R&D directions, potentially shaping next-generation formulations or combination therapies.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical companies: The patent reinforces proprietary rights, guiding R&D and market entry.
- Innovators and patent attorneys: The scope and claim language inform drafting strategies and landscape assessments.
- Generic manufacturers: Need to evaluate potential patent invalidity defenses or design-around opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- KR20120093321 likely covers distinctive chemical entities and therapeutic applications, with claims structured to ensure broad yet valid protection.
- The patent’s scope strategically balances exclusivity and defensibility, emphasizing chemical innovation and method claims.
- Its position within the patent landscape underscores its significance in South Korea’s pharmaceutical innovation ecosystem and possibly extends through international patent family members.
- Claim language and strategic patent filings are critical for maximizing protection and mitigating infringement risks.
- Monitoring subsequent citations and legal challenges will determine the patent’s robustness and longevity.
FAQs
Q1: What is the likely scope of the claims in KR20120093321?
A1: The claims probably cover specific chemical structures, formulations, and therapeutic methods related to a novel compound or drug delivery system, with both broad and narrow claim layers.
Q2: How does KR20120093321 fit into the international patent landscape?
A2: If priority was claimed from earlier applications in other jurisdictions, the patent may form part of an international patent family, extending its protective reach and influencing global market strategy.
Q3: What are the main challenges in enforcing KR20120093321?
A3: Challenges may include claims being navigated around via design-around strategies, invalidity arguments based on prior art, or legal disputes over claim scope and infringement.
Q4: How can competitors analyze the patent landscape related to KR20120093321?
A4: By examining patent citation networks, related applications, and prior art disclosures, competitors can assess freedom-to-operate, identify potential infringement risks, or find avenues for innovation.
Q5: What strategic value does this patent hold for its holder?
A5: It offers exclusive rights to crucial compounds/methods within South Korea, supports licensing deals, deters competitors, and guides R&D focus within the targeted therapeutic areas.
Sources
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database.
- WIPO PatentScope.
- Patent family analysis reports.
- Prior art and citation analysis tools.
- Official patent documentation and prosecution records.
In conclusion, KR20120093321 exemplifies a strategically drafted pharmaceutical patent that plays a pivotal role in the regional and potentially international patent landscape. Its scope reflects a careful balance designed to protect core innovations while navigating patentability hurdles, contributing significantly to the competitive dynamics in South Korea's pharmaceutical sector.
