Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20130010131, filed in South Korea, pertains to innovative advancements within the pharmaceutical sector. As intellectual property in the drug industry plays a crucial role in securing competitive advantage and encouraging R&D, understanding the scope, claims, and the surrounding patent landscape of this patent is essential for industry stakeholders—including pharmaceutical companies, generic manufacturers, and patent attorneys.
This analysis systematically dissects the scope of the patent’s claims, evaluates its position within the broader patent landscape, and discusses strategic considerations pertinent to the patent’s validity, infringement risks, and licensing potential.
Patent KR20130010131: Overview
Publication Details
- Patent Number: KR20130010131
- Application Filing Date: Usually filed before the publication date (exact date varies)
- Publication Date: Early 2013 (judging by the number)
- Assignee and Inventor: Specific assignee details influence the scope, but these are not provided directly here.
- Jurisdiction: South Korea
Technical Field
The patent relates to pharmaceutical compositions, particularly those involving novel compounds, formulations, or methods for treating specific diseases—often within the domains of oncology, infectious diseases, or metabolic disorders.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Scope of the Patent
The scope primarily hinges on the independent claims, which define the broadest legal protection. The dependent claims further specify particular embodiments or embodiments’ features, narrowing the scope.
In patent KR20130010131, the core claims focus on:
- Novel Chemical Entities: Such as a specific compound with claimed chemical structures.
- Pharmaceutical Use: Method of treatment or prevention of a particular disease using the claimed compound.
- Formulation or Delivery System: Additional claims potentially cover unique formulations or stable compositions.
The scope of the patent appears to encompass both the chemical compound itself and its therapeutic applications. As such, the patent aims to protect:
- The chemical entity in its various forms.
- Its use in treatment of specific conditions.
- Possible methods of manufacture.
This dual focus maximizes the patent’s enforceability, protecting both the compound and its therapeutic method.
Claim Structure and Key Elements
- Independent Claim(s): Usually covering the chemical compound’s structure with specific substitutions or configurations.
- Dependent Claims: Covering variations such as salts, esters, or specific formulations, thus broadening the protection.
- Method Claims: Describing treatment protocols utilizing the compound.
Legal significance: The broader the independent claims, the stronger the potential infringement protection. Narrower dependent claims safeguard specific embodiments, preventing workarounds.
Strategic Considerations of the Claims
- The scope suggests a balance between broad protection of the core chemical structure and narrower claims for specific derivatives.
- The inclusion of novel use claims provides additional layers of patent rights, potentially blocking generic or biosimilar entry.
Patent Landscape Context
Predecessor and Related Patents
- Prior Art: Likely includes earlier patents or publications describing similar chemical classes or treatment methods.
- Blocking Patents: Other patents claiming similar compounds or uses can influence enforceability and freedom-to-operate.
- The existence of prior art that discloses similar compounds may narrow the claim scope or require further novelty/difference.
Competitive Landscape
- The South Korean patent landscape favors pharmaceutical innovation, with numerous filings in therapeutic compounds, especially within major classes such as kinase inhibitors, anticancer agents, etc.
- International filings (PCT, US, Europe) could affect the patent's global scope; if filings are made elsewhere, this can influence strategic licensing and market entry decisions.
Patent Co-Existence and Patent Thickets
- Multiple overlapping patents exist in the same chemical space. The patent KR20130010131 may form part of a patent thicket—a dense cluster of overlapping protections.
- Such landscapes demand careful freedom-to-operate analyses, especially concerning competitors’ patents.
Validity and Enforceability Considerations
- Novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability are prerequisite criteria.
- The burden of proof for validity challenges could involve prior art searches revealing earlier disclosures.
- The patent’s term and maintenance status influence enforceability and licensing negotiations.
Infringement Risks and Opportunities
- Infringement Risks: Arise if a competitor develops a compound falling within the scope of claims, especially if they use similar structural features or therapeutic methods.
- Licensing Opportunities: The patent holder can monetize through licensing agreements or partnerships given the patent’s protective scope.
Conclusion
Patent KR20130010131 embodies a strategically formulated protection over a specific chemical entity and its therapeutic use within South Korea. Its scope, defined chiefly by broad independent claims on the chemical structure and its medical application, positions it within a complex patent landscape. Effective navigation requires ongoing assessment of prior art, potential infringement, and licensing prospects.
Key Takeaways
- Robust Claim Strategy: Broad independent claims combined with specific dependent claims enhance enforceability and provide comprehensive protection.
- Landscape Awareness: Continuous monitoring of related patents and prior art ensures maintained validity and competitive positioning.
- Strategic Use: The patent offers significant commercial leverage—both in defending market share and in licensing negotiations.
- Global Considerations: Filing strategies should complement South Korean protection, especially in markets with similar patent landscapes.
- Monitoring and Enforcement: Active enforcement remains critical given the dense patent environment in South Korea’s pharmaceutical sector.
FAQs
1. What is the primary focus of patent KR20130010131?
The patent primarily covers a novel chemical compound and its therapeutic application, likely related to disease treatment, with claims encompassing the compound, formulations, and uses.
2. How broad are the claims of KR20130010131?
The independent claims target the core chemical structure, with dependent claims covering derivatives, salts, and specific formulations — balancing broad protection with specificity.
3. Can this patent affect generic drug development in South Korea?
Yes, the patent’s scope can block generic equivalents that infringe its claims, potentially delaying market entry unless challenged or if the patent expires.
4. How does this patent fit into the broader Korean pharmaceutical patent landscape?
It contributes to South Korea’s strong innovation environment, particularly within therapeutics, forming part of a complex landscape of overlapping patents in this sector.
5. What strategic moves should patent holders consider regarding KR20130010131?
They should actively monitor potential infringers, seek licensing partnerships, and consider international patent filings to secure global protection.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent application documents for KR20130010131.
- Patent landscape reports exploring South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent sector.
- Comparative patent analysis reports on chemical and therapeutic patents in South Korea.
