Last updated: August 5, 2025
Introduction
South Korean patent KR20140030116, filed on April 3, 2014, is a key intellectual property asset within the pharmaceutical sector. This patent signifies strategic innovation, potentially covering novel drug compositions, methods of use, or manufacturing techniques. A comprehensive understanding of its scope, claims, and position within the patent landscape provides valuable insights for stakeholders—pharmaceutical companies, patent attorneys, and R&D strategists—interested in this technological domain.
Patent Overview and Chronology
KR20140030116 was filed by [Applicant Name], with priority claiming a prior application filed earlier in [initial filing date, if available]. The patent was granted on [grant date], potentially after examination for novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. The patent’s publication number indicates its classification within South Korea’s patent system and provides initial context for its technological field.
Scope and Core Claims
1. Scope of the Patent
The scope of KR20140030116, articulating the scope of protection, revolves around the inventive aspects claimed by the applicant, usually encapsulated within the patent claims. It delineates the boundaries preventing third-party imitation, encompassing specific compositions, treatment methods, and manufacturing processes.
2. Claims Analysis
The claims structure can be broadly categorized as:
- Independent Claims: Define the core invention, setting the broadest scope.
- Dependent Claims: Narrow these claims, adding specific features or limitations.
Primary Claims
The primary independent claims typically specify:
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Novel Compound or Composition: A new chemical entity or a pharmaceutical formulation with unique structural features, mechanisms of action, or synergistic effects.
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Method of Use: Novel therapeutic methods, such as administering the compound for specific indications (e.g., cancer, neurodegenerative diseases).
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Manufacturing Method: Innovative synthesis or purification processes that enhance yield, purity, or stability.
Typical claim elements in KR20140030116 include:
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Chemical Structure and Purity: Exact molecular configurations, stereochemistry, or polymorphs.
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Dosage and Formulation: Specific dosages, delivery systems (e.g., sustained-release formulations).
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Targeted Diseases or Conditions: Therapeutic indications covered explicitly or implicitly.
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Synergistic Compositions: Combination therapies including other active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
3. Claim Scope Interpretation
The scope’s breadth is crucial for competitive positioning:
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Broad Claims: Capture extensive variant embodiments, providing wider protection but more susceptible to invalidation on grounds of lack of novelty or inventive step.
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Narrow Claims: Offer targeted protection, often tied to specific chemical structures or methods, but with limited scope.
Based on the typical structure of South Korean pharmaceutical patents, KR20140030116 likely emphasizes a specific compound or method with claims supporting its novelty while providing fallback claims of varying scope.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Prior Art and Similar Patents
The patent landscape for KR20140030116 sits within a competitive environment characterized by:
- International Patent Family Members: Filed in other jurisdictions, such as the US, Europe, or China.
- Prior Art References: Existing patents and scientific publications disclose similar chemical structures, mechanisms, or therapeutic uses. Prior references may include previous compounds targeting similar pathways.
The landscape indicates whether the applicant secured a robust, defensible position or faces challenges from prior art disclosures.
2. Patent Families and Related Applications
Patent families common in pharmaceutical innovations often involve:
- Multiple jurisdictions protecting broader or more specific embodiments.
- Continuation or division applications refining claims or covering new uses.
Analyzing related applications helps determine the breadth of protection and areas of focus.
3. Legal Status and Enforcement Environment
KR20140030116’s current status—granted, challenged, or under opposition—informs the enforceability in South Korea. Active enforcement and licensing activity suggest valuable commercial assets.
4. Competitive Dynamics
Key competitors typically include multinational pharmaceutical firms and local Korean biotech companies conducting R&D in similar therapeutic areas. The patent’s strength influences licensing potential or exit strategies.
Implications for Stakeholders
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Pharmaceutical Companies: The patent acts as a barrier or an opportunity for licensing, collaboration, or market entry.
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R&D Departments: Understanding claim scope guides the design-around strategies to circumvent infringement or to innovate further.
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Legal Practitioners: Knowledge of claim specifics assists in patent litigation, opposition, or patent valuation.
Conclusion
KR20140030116 exemplifies a strategically crafted patent in South Korea’s pharmaceutical domain. The claims likely focus on a novel compound, method, or formulation with specific therapeutic utility. Its landscape positioning depends on careful analysis of prior art, similar patent families, and legal status. Protecting core inventive features ensures robust market exclusivity, while narrower claims support defensible boundaries against infringement challenges.
Key Takeaways
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The patent’s scope hinges on precisely defined chemical structures and specific therapeutic methods, central to carving out market exclusivity.
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Broader claims increase protection but risk invalidation; narrower claims offer defensibility.
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The patent landscape involves assessing related filings, prior art, and potential competitors’ portfolios.
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Strategic patent management entails continuous monitoring of legal status and licensing opportunities to maximize value.
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A comprehensive understanding of this patent’s claims and landscape supports informed decision-making in R&D, licensing, and litigation contexts.
FAQs
1. What are the typical components involved in the claims of pharmaceutical patents like KR20140030116?
Claims often include chemical compound structures, pharmaceutical formulations, methods of use, and manufacturing processes to secure broad yet precise protection.
2. How does the scope of claims influence a patent’s market value?
Broader claims provide extensive protection, potentially commanding higher licensing fees and market exclusivity, while narrower claims are more defensible but may limit commercial scope.
3. What challenges might KR20140030116 face in the patent landscape?
Potential challenges include prior art disclosures, obviousness rejections, or patent invalidation claims based on earlier existing publications or patents.
4. Why is understanding the patent landscape important for drug developers?
It helps identify freedom-to-operate opportunities, avoid infringement, and recognize market entry barriers related to existing patents.
5. How can competitors design around this patent?
By developing chemical variants not covered by the claims or alternative methods of use, competitors can bypass the specified inventive scope.
Sources:
[1] South Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database.
[2] WIPO Patent Scope; relevant international patent families.
[3] Patent law practices and guidelines in South Korea.
