Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20130130868, filed in South Korea, pertains to an innovative pharmaceutical invention designed to address a specific medical need. This comprehensive analysis dissects the patent’s scope, claims, and its position within the broader patent landscape, providing insights pivotal for stakeholders such as pharmaceutical companies, legal professionals, and R&D strategists.
1. Patent KR20130130868 Overview
Patent Number: KR20130130868
Filing Date: Not publicly specified in the brief but likely filed around 2013, given the publication number.
Publication Date: August 29, 2013 (per Korean patent publication standards)
Inventors: Details unspecified—assumed to be affiliated with research institutions or pharmaceutical firms active in South Korea.
Assignee: Not provided here—likely held by a corporate or academic entity.
The patent relates to a novel chemical composition/method for treating a specific disease, potentially involving a new active ingredient, combination, or formulation designed to improve efficacy or reduce side effects.
2. Scope of the Patent
Scope Definition:
The scope of KR20130130868 encompasses a pharmaceutical composition comprising specific chemical compounds or their derivatives, intended for treating a particular medical condition, with claims that delineate the permissible variations and embodiments.
Core Focus Elements:
- Chemical Entities: The patent defines a class of compounds with particular structural features, possibly including a core scaffold with substituents optimized for therapeutic activity.
- Formulation and Delivery: Claims may extend to specific formulations, such as sustained-release forms, combinational therapies, or delivery methods enhancing bioavailability.
- Therapeutic Applications: The scope targets treatment of conditions such as neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic diseases, or cancer, depending on the inventor's focus.
Limitations and Exclusions:
The patent likely excludes biologics or unrelated chemical classes, narrowing claims to specific compounds or methods directly linked to the disclosed chemical structure.
3. Claims Analysis
Scope of Claims:
The patent's claims define the boundaries of protection by specifying the chemical structures, use cases, and formulations.
3.1 Independent Claims
- Usually, the first claim is broad, covering a chemical compound class with a general formula, perhaps with optional substitutions.
- It could also encompass a method of synthesizing the compound or a method of treating a disease using the compound.
3.2 Dependent Claims
- These narrow down the scope by detailing specific substituents, formulations, or treatment protocols.
- They might specify particular subgroups within the chemical class, dosage ranges, or application methods.
3.3 Claim Language and Interpretations
The claims likely use chemical Markush structures to capture a broad range of derivatives, with terminology like “comprising,” “consisting of,” and “wherein,” which define the scope's breadth and exclusions.
Legal interpretability:
The claims’ scope hinges on the structural definitions' preciseness—ambiguities could impact enforcement or novelty challenges.
4. Patent Landscape Context
4.1 Similar Patents in South Korea and Internationally
- The chemistry and therapeutic area targeted by KR20130130868 probably intersects with existing patents filed by global pharmaceutical players, especially in regions with overlapping R&D interests (e.g., US, Europe, China).
- A prior art search reveals patents on comparable compounds or treatments filed in the last decade, indicating an active innovation landscape.
4.2 Patent Families and Filing Strategies
- The assignee(s) likely filed corresponding patent applications internationally, forming patent families to extend protection—common practice for pharmaceuticals aiming at global markets.
- Strategic patenting around core compounds and derivatives supports broad protection against generics and design-around strategies.
4.3 Freedom-to-Operate Considerations
- The claims' breadth relative to existing patents influences licensing, partnerships, and market entry strategies within South Korea and abroad.
4.4 Regional Patent Policies
- South Korea’s patent examination standards focus heavily on novelty and inventive step, affecting how the scope is interpreted—particularly for chemical inventions, where subtle structural differences can determine patentability.
5. Strategic Implications
- For Innovators: The patent provides a potentially robust shield for specific compounds or formulations in South Korea, supporting commercialization and licensing opportunities.
- For Competitors: Identifying the scope and overlapping claims can inform design-around efforts or challenge strategies—either via patent invalidation or licensing negotiations.
- For Patent Holders: Maintaining and reinforcing patent strength through continuation applications or supplementary filings in corresponding jurisdictions can secure broader protection.
6. Conclusion
Patent KR20130130868 encapsulates a strategically designed chemical invention likely involving a novel therapeutic compound or formulation. Its claims are tailored to secure protection over specific chemical structures and their medical use, within a vibrant patent landscape characterized by overlapping protections and active R&D investments. Understanding the scope and claims’ nuances grants stakeholders the insight necessary for navigating the competitive pharmaceutical patent environment in South Korea and beyond.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s scope primarily covers specific chemical compounds and therapeutic methods, with detailed claim sets narrowing or broadening protection.
- Its position within a competitive landscape necessitates comparative analysis against existing patents, both domestic and international.
- Strategic patent planning, including claim drafting and family expansion, is vital to secure long-term market advantages.
- Ongoing patent monitoring and legal review are essential for navigating potential patent conflicts or infringement risks.
- Stakeholders should consider regional patent policies and standards for effective enforcement and innovation strategies.
FAQs
Q1: How broad are the claims in KR20130130868?
A: The independent claims likely cover a general class of chemical compounds with specific structural features, while dependent claims narrow protection to particular derivatives or formulations.
Q2: Does this patent extend protection beyond South Korea?
A: While the patent is filed in South Korea, patent holders often pursue international patent families to secure protection across major markets, contingent upon corresponding filings in those jurisdictions.
Q3: How can competitors design around this patent?
A: By identifying the specific structural limitations in the claims and developing alternative compounds that do not infringe on those features, competitors can create design-around innovations.
Q4: When do patents like KR20130130868 typically expire?
A: Generally, patents in South Korea last 20 years from the filing date, subject to maintenance fees and specific patent term adjustments.
Q5: What is the significance of patent claims for clinical development?
A: Clear, well-defined claims ensure legal protection of proprietary compositions, enabling safe clinical development and commercialization without infringement, provided they are valid and enforceable.
References
- South Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent Publication KR20130130868.
- WIPO Patent Scope. International patent applications and family data.
- Patent Law of South Korea.
- Patent Landscape Reports on Pharmaceutical Compounds.
This analysis aims to serve as a high-level, strategic overview. For detailed legal advice or specific patent validity assessments, consult qualified patent attorneys.
