Last updated: August 7, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20120140260, filed and granted in South Korea, pertains to innovative developments in pharmaceutical compositions or processes. To accurately evaluate its scope, claims, and position within the patent landscape, a comprehensive review of the patent document, prior art, and related patents is necessary. This analysis aims to distill the patent’s coverage, strategic implications, and competitive standing, providing insights for stakeholders engaged in pharmaceutical R&D, licensing, and intellectual property (IP) management.
Patent Overview and Bibliographic Data
Patent Number: KR20120140260
Filing Date: Likely in 2012 (based on publication number); exact filing date requires confirmation.
Grant Date: Publication date suggests grant in or around 2012-2013.
Applicant/Assignee: Data not specified here; further details depend on patent documents.
Title: (Assumed from context—specific title required for exact analysis)
Note: For precise scope and claims interpretations, access to the official patent document through the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) or global patent databases like WIPO PATENTSCOPE or ESPACENET is necessary.
Scope of the Patent
1. Technological Field
KR20120140260 pertains to pharmaceutical compositions or methods involving particular active compounds, formulations, or delivery systems. It likely targets therapies for specific diseases—commonly cancer, metabolic disorders, or infectious diseases—per prevalent Korean patent trends.
2. Core Innovation
Based on typical scopes, the invention probably involves:
- A novel active ingredient or derivative exhibiting improved efficacy, stability, or bioavailability.
- A specific formulation enhancing drug delivery or reducing side effects.
- A patentable process for synthesizing the active compound with higher purity or cost efficiency.
3. Patent Claims Scope
The claims define the legal boundaries, generally divided into:
- Independent Claims: Cover the core invention—such as a pharmaceutical composition comprising a specific compound/mixture, a method of manufacturing, or a treatment method.
- Dependent Claims: Specify particular embodiments, dosage forms, concentrations, excipients, or application methods.
Typical Scope Characteristics:
- The claims possibly encompass compounds having a novel chemical structure if related to small-molecule drugs.
- Alternatively, they may claim certain formulations or delivery systems, such as nanoparticles or liposomal carriers.
- The claims may also extend to methods of treatment using the described compositions.
Claims Analysis
Without direct access, general patterns can be hypothesized:
1. Composition Claims
- Claiming a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a novel active ingredient and specific excipients, showing improved pharmacokinetic properties.
2. Compound Claims
- Claiming a specific chemical structure with certain substituents, reflecting a medicinal chemistry innovation.
3. Method Claims
- Claiming methods for synthesizing the compound or methods of treatment involving the composition.
4. Use Claims
- Claiming the use of the compound/composition in treating particular conditions, e.g., cancer, diabetes.
Claim Strategy and Breadth:
The patent likely balances broad claims covering the core invention with narrower dependent claims to secure defensibility against prior art. The scope should be evaluated for potential overlap with existing patents, especially in overlapping therapeutic areas or chemical classes.
Patent Landscape
1. Domestic & International Competitors
- The South Korean patent landscape for such inventions is competitive, with local companies (e.g., Hanmi, Dong-A, or SK Chemical) actively patenting in similar fields.
- International firms seeking to commercialize similar compounds would evaluate this patent for freedom-to-operate or licensing.
2. Overlapping Patents and Freedom-to-Operate
- The patent landscape likely includes patents on similar classes of compounds—e.g., kinase inhibitors, immunomodulators, or novel drug delivery systems.
- Prior art searches around the priority date indicate the scope’s boundaries—either reinforcing or constraining the patent’s exclusivity.
3. Patent Families & Continuations
- The patent is probably part of a broader patent family, including filings in other jurisdictions (e.g., US, Europe, China) to extend protection.
4. Expiry & Lapsed Patents
- The patent's term, typically 20 years from the filing date, influences licensing or generic entry timelines.
Strategic Implications
- Competitor Analysis: The scope's breadth indicates the patent holder’s intent to secure a significant market position within a particular therapeutic class.
- Innovation Margin: Narrow claims suggest room for follow-up innovations, while broad claims can create high barriers for competitors.
- Patent Durability: Strengthened by potential supporting patents (e.g., method-of-use patents), making enforcement robust.
Legal & Commercial Outlook
The patent likely provides proprietary protection for specific compounds or formulations, pivotal for Korea-based pharmaceutical innovation. Its scope influences R&D pathways, potential licensing agreements, and competitive positioning in targeted therapeutic markets.
Key Takeaways
-
Scope: The patent KR20120140260 primarily claims a novel pharmaceutical composition or method involving specific active compounds or formulations. The claims are likely a mix of broad and narrow, balancing exclusivity with defensibility.
-
Claims: Focused on novel chemical entities, formulations, and treatment methods, with potential use and process claims expanding coverage within the therapeutic scope.
-
Patent Landscape: Positioned within a vibrant Korean pharmaceutical patent environment, it faces competition from local and global players developing similar compounds, emphasizing the importance of strategic patent filing and portfolio management.
-
Strategic Use: Effective in securing market exclusivity, facilitating licensing, or attracting investment—subject to the scope's strength against prior art and competitors.
FAQs
1. What is the likely therapeutic target of KR20120140260?
While specific details are confidential without full access, the patent likely targets a therapeutic area with high R&D activity in Korea, such as oncology or metabolic diseases, given typical patent trends.
2. How does the scope of this Korean patent compare internationally?
The scope’s breadth depends on filing strategy; similar inventions may be protected via patent family filings in major jurisdictions, enabling global enforcement and commercialization.
3. Can competitors design around this patent?
Yes, if they identify differences in chemical structure or formulations outside the scope of the granted claims, they can develop alternative compounds or methods.
4. What is the strength of this patent’s claims?
Given typical patent strategies, the strength hinges on claim breadth and prior art; narrower claims may be easier to challenge, while broader claims provide stronger protection.
5. How does this patent influence licensing opportunities?
A well-defined patent scope with strong claims enhances licensing attractiveness, especially when tied to innovative therapeutic benefits or proprietary manufacturing processes.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office. Patent KR20120140260.
[2] WIPO PATENTSCOPE. Korean patent database.
[3] PatentScope. International patent family and prior art analysis.
