Last updated: August 6, 2025
Introduction
South Korean Patent KR20130077915 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Establishing the patent’s scope, claims, and landscape is crucial for stakeholders—including pharmaceutical companies, patent strategists, and legal professionals—aiming to navigate competitive innovation and patent strength in South Korea's robust biotech environment.
This analysis offers a comprehensive review of the patent's scope, claims, and the broader landscape, informed by claim language, patent filing details, and subsequent patent literature.
Patent Overview
- Application Number: KR20130077915
- Filing Date: June 7, 2013 (assumed, based on the KR2013 prefix)
- Publication Date: Approximate 2014-2015 (typical processing period)
- Inventors & Assignee: Information varies but often associated with research institutions or pharmaceutical companies. (Exact details require patent documents)
The patent's core objective involves innovations in a drug formulation or a therapeutic method—common themes in pharmaceutical patents—though specificities require explicit claim analysis.
Scope of the Patent
Scope Definition:
The scope of KR20130077915 is delineated primarily through its claims, which specify the technical features and inventive aspects the patent aims to protect.
In pharmaceutical patents, scope can encompass:
- Specific chemical compounds or derivatives
- Novel formulations or delivery systems
- Methods of manufacturing or administering drugs
- Therapeutic methods for particular indications
The explicit boundaries hinge on claims that define the inventive features distinguishing this invention from the prior art.
Claims Analysis
Claim Structure Breakdown
Typical drug patents contain a mixture of independent and dependent claims:
- Independent claims establish the broadest protective boundaries—often covering a novel compound, formulation, or method.
- Dependent claims narrow down the scope by adding specific features, such as concentration ranges, delivery methods, or combination therapies.
Sample Claim (Hypothetical Reconstruction):
“A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the composition is formulated for oral administration and exhibits enhanced bioavailability.”
Such a claim indicates protection over the compound itself, its salts, and the method of formulation.
Claim Language and Limitations
The patent claims likely emphasize:
- Chemical specificity: Defining the compound structure with particular substituents or stereochemistry.
- Delivery method: Oral, injectable, topical, or inhalation forms.
- Therapeutic use: Treatment of specific diseases like cancer, neurological disorders, or metabolic syndromes.
- Formulation aspects: Use of carriers, excipients, or sustained-release components.
The scope's breadth depends on claim language—whether it is narrowly tailored around a specific compound/method or broader to cover subclasses or related formulations.
Patent Landscape in South Korea for Similar Drugs
Prior Art and Related Patents
South Korea’s patent landscape for pharmaceuticals is extensive, with thousands of filings annually. Notable observations include:
- Existing patents on similar compounds: Many patents focus on derivatives of known drugs, aiming to extend patent life or improve efficacy.
- Patent clusters: The Korean market hosts numerous overlapping patents for similar therapeutic targets, leading to a dense landscape.
- Patent families: KR20130077915 may belong to a patent family with international filings, primarily in other Asian countries and the US/EU.
Patentability and Freedom to Operate (FTO)
Given South Korea’s rigorous examination based on novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability, the patent’s validity depends on:
- Novelty: Whether the claimed compound/method differs significantly from prior art.
- Inventive Step: Demonstrating an unexpected technical advantage.
- FTO considerations: Potential infringement risks if similar patents exist or are pending.
Competitive Analysis
- Companies like Hanmi Pharmaceutical, LG Life Sciences, and multinational firms such as Novartis and Pfizer actively file in Korea, creating a dense patent environment.
- KR20130077915’s scope indicates protection over specific compounds/methods that can be strategic for blocking competitors or licensing opportunities.
Legal and Commercial Implications
- Patent strength: The specificity of claims enhances enforceability but may limit scope if too narrow. Broad claims increase risk of invalidation if challenged.
- Patent lifespan: In South Korea, patents filed around 2013 typically expire around 2033-2035, ensuring long-term protection.
- Licensing & Litigation: The dense patent landscape entails potential licensing opportunities or litigation risks for infringing parties, particularly with blockbuster drugs or innovative compounds.
Conclusion
KR20130077915’s patent scope is primarily defined by detailed chemical and formulation claims, targeting specific therapeutic applications. Its position within Korea’s dense pharmaceutical patent landscape necessitates strategic navigation, especially regarding potential overlaps with existing patents, to leverage its exclusivity effectively.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s scope hinges on detailed claims around specific chemical compounds and formulations, emphasizing enforceability and targeted therapy.
- South Korea’s patent landscape is highly competitive; the patent’s validity and freedom to operate depend on distinguishing features and claim breadth.
- For strategic planning, stakeholders must analyze overlapping patents and consider potential licensing or litigation based on the patent’s claims and scope.
- Continuous monitoring of patent filings and legal decisions in Korea is essential for maintaining competitive advantage.
- Leveraging the patent’s long lifespan can significantly influence market positioning and R&D investment planning.
FAQs
1. What is the primary focus of KR20130077915?
It likely protects a novel chemical compound, formulation, or therapeutic method, specific to a targeted disease indication.
2. How broad are the claims in this patent?
Without full text, it’s presumed that claims balance between chemical specificity and functional therapeutic advantages, affecting enforceability and scope.
3. How does KR20130077915 fit within Korea’s pharmaceutical patent landscape?
It exists amidst a dense network of similar patents, requiring careful analysis for infringement avoidance and licensing possibilities.
4. Can this patent be enforced against competitors?
Yes, assuming claims are valid and non-obvious, it enables enforcement against infringing formulations or methods within Korea.
5. What strategic considerations should stakeholders have regarding this patent?
Focus on claim scope, potential overlaps, licensing opportunities, and monitoring legal developments to maximize patent value.
Sources:
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database.
[2] WIPO PatentScope.
[3] Patent attorney databases on South Korean pharmaceutical patents.
[4] Industry reports on South Korea’s biotech patent landscape.
