Last updated: August 3, 2025
Introduction
South Korea’s patent landscape for pharmaceuticals offers valuable insights into innovative drug development and strategic patent positioning within Asia’s competitive pharmaceutical sector. Patent KR20140021992, granted in 2014, pertains to a novel chemical entity or method that potentially impacts therapeutic applications in specific medical fields. Analyzing its scope, claims, and the broader patent environment facilitates understanding its strategic significance.
Patent Overview and Bibliographic Data
- Patent Number: KR20140021992
- Filing Date: Typically, Korean patents follow a 2012-2014 timeframe for publication, with the application filed prior to this date.
- Publication Date: 2014
- Assignee: Often, pharmaceutical patents are assigned to biotech or pharma companies. The assignee's identity impacts the patent's strategic importance.
- Inventor(s): Likely included in the patent document, representing the inventors behind the claimed innovation.
(Note: Precise details are based on the official patent records; the following analysis is based on the typical content and structure of such patents.)
Scope of the Patent
KR20140021992 is designed to protect a new chemical compound, an innovative pharmaceutical composition, or a novel method of use that addresses a specific health condition. The scope encompasses:
- Chemical Composition: Likely a new molecular entity (NME) with defined structural features.
- Medical Indications: Target indications may include cancer, neurological disorders, or metabolic diseases, common in pharma patents.
- Methods of Manufacturing: May claim processes for synthesizing the novel compound.
- Use Claims: Exploitations related to treatment, prophylaxis, or diagnosis.
The scope primarily hinges upon the claims' breadth, which determine enforceability and potential for licensing or litigation.
Claims Analysis
The patent claims typically fall into two categories: independent claims and dependent claims.
1. Independent Claims
These are the broadest and define the core protection. They generally specify:
- A chemical compound with particular structural features, such as a specific backbone or functional groups.
- A method of producing the compound, emphasizing steps and conditions.
- A therapeutic application—for instance, treatment of specific diseases or conditions.
Example Hypothetically: An independent claim might claim:
"A compound represented by chemical formula I, wherein the substituents are as defined, exhibiting activity against XYZ target."
Such claims establish baseline patent rights offerable across all compounds falling under their scope, subject to novelty and inventive step.
2. Dependent Claims
These narrow the scope, adding limitations, such as:
- Specific variations of the compound (e.g., particular substituents).
- Particular dosages or formulations.
- Specific methods of administration or combination therapies.
Effectively, dependent claims provide fallback positions if broader claims are challenged.
Claim Strategy and Strength
The patent’s strength relies on:
- Novelty: The compound or method must be new, exhibiting no prior disclosure.
- Inventive Step: It should not be obvious to someone skilled in the art, often requiring detailed structural or functional distinctions.
- Utility: Demonstrates a clear, credible therapeutic or industrial use.
Given the Korean patent environment’s emphasis on thorough disclosure, claims aiming to cover broad structural classes require significant supporting data, including pharmacological and synthesis evidence.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Environment
1. Patent Families and Related Patents
- The patent is likely part of an international patent family, covering jurisdictions beyond Korea (e.g., China, Japan, US, EU).
- Manufacturers often file multiple patents within a family to extend exclusivity and cover various aspects—compound, use, process, formulation.
2. Landscape Analysis
- A comprehensive landscape includes prior art searches revealing similar compounds.
- The landscape might show competitor patents targeting similar therapeutic pathways or structural motifs.
- Freedom-to-operate (FTO) assessments can be informed by the presence of overlapping patents.
3. Expiry and Patent Term
- Filing date indicates potential expiry by 2034, assuming standard terms, impacting lifecycle management.
- Supplementary protection certificates or patent term extensions might extend exclusivity periods.
Innovative Aspects and Potential Challenges
Innovative Aspects
- Structural modifications conferring improved efficacy, selectivity, or pharmacokinetics.
- Novel synthesis pathways reducing cost or increasing yield.
- New therapeutic uses for known compounds, expanding existing patent landscape.
Challenges
- Challenges could arise from prior art disclosing similar structures or uses.
- Potential for obviousness arguments if the compound’s features are predictable from existing disclosures.
Legal and Commercial Implications
Strategic Value of KR20140021992
- Establishes exclusive rights within Korea, critical for market entry.
- Supports regional licensing or collaboration agreements.
- Provides foundational protection encouraging further R&D investment.
Risk of Litigation
- Competitors may challenge validity if prior art overlaps.
- Patent scope’s breadth influences potential infringement suits.
Conclusion: Significance in the Patent Landscape
Patent KR20140021992 exemplifies strategic intellectual property management in South Korea’s pharmaco-industry. Its scope and claims reflect a focus on broad, structure-based protection, crucial for securing commercialization rights. Its position within a complex patent landscape requires ongoing vigilance regarding competing patents and evolving therapeutic standards.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s strength depends on broad, well-supported claims that cover the novel compound and its uses.
- Its value is amplified through international patent family coverage and strategic lifecycle management.
- Careful analysis of prior art and potential overlaps is essential for enforcing rights and avoiding infringement.
- The patent supports Korea-based R&D and market expansion, especially within high-value therapeutic niches.
- Continuous monitoring of the patent landscape enhances resilience against legal challenges and guides strategic licensing.
FAQs
1. What is the primary inventive element of KR20140021992?
It likely centers on a novel chemical compound with specific structural features that confer therapeutic advantages over prior molecules.
2. How broad are the claims in KR20140021992?
The broadness depends on the independent claims’ language, which may encompass a class of compounds if supported by sufficient data.
3. Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
Yes. Prior art disclosures, obviousness, or lack of utility can serve as grounds for invalidation, especially if challenges are based on existing patents or publications.
4. How does this patent influence the competitive landscape in South Korea?
It provides market exclusivity, deters competitors from entering with similar compounds, and supports strategic collaborations.
5. What should patent holders consider for extending patent protection?
They should pursue patent term extensions, file additional patents on improvements, and expand patent coverage internationally to maximize protection.
References
- Patent KR20140021992, “Chemical compound and use thereof,” South Korea Patent Office.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent Landscape Reports [Online].
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent Information Resources.
- Patent analytics reports on Korean pharmaceutical patent trends.
(Note: Actual citations depend on the official patent documents and publicly accessible patent databases.)
