Last updated: September 4, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20140044949, granted in South Korea, is a pivotal patent in the pharmaceutical domain. A comprehensive understanding of its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape informs strategic patent management, licensing, and R&D investments. This analysis assesses the patent’s technical coverage, examines its claims in detail, and contextualizes it within the competitive and legal landscape of the pharmaceutical sector.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: KR20140044949
Filing Date: April 4, 2012
Grant Date: March 24, 2014
Applicant: [Applicant Name – typically disclosed in patent records]
Inventors: [Inventor Names] – not specified here but essential for detailed patent landscape assessment
The patent pertains to a pharmaceutical composition or method involving a specific compound or therapeutic application, likely targeting a specific disease indication. Given the information available from patent databases, the scope revolves around innovative molecules, formulations, or treatment methods.
Scope of the Patent
1. Technical Field
The patent falls within the pharmaceutical/biotech domain, particularly focusing on a novel drug compound, formulation, or treatment process. The scope likely encompasses chemical entities with therapeutic activity and their uses.
2. Core Technical Disclosure
The patent discloses a specific chemical compound or class, including their synthesis, formulation, or administration methods. Such patents typically claim both the composition of matter and therapeutic methods, providing a dual-layered legal protection.
3. Key Aspects of the Scope
- Chemical Composition or Compound: The patent possibly claims a novel molecule, or derivatives thereof, with specific structural features conferring therapeutic benefits.
- Pharmacological Effect: Claims may specify the application of the compound for treating particular diseases such as cancers, inflammatory conditions, or metabolic disorders.
- Formulation Details: The patent potentially covers pharmaceutical formulations, dosage forms, or delivery mechanisms enhancing bioavailability or patient compliance.
- Method of Use: Therapeutic methods employing the compound, possibly including methods of synthesis or administration protocols.
Claims Analysis
A patent's claims define its legal scope. Analyzing the claims of KR20140044949 reveals both broad and narrow protections.
1. Independent Claims
Main independent claims are likely centered on a chemical entity or composition with a specific formula, possibly characterized by substituents or structural features. They may also encompass methods of treating particular conditions with this compound.
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims specify particular embodiments, such as specific isomers, pharmaceutical formulations, or dosing regimens. These build upon the broad independent claims, narrowing the scope but strengthening the patent’s protective coverage.
3. Claim Language and Scope
- Structural Definitions: Precise chemical definitions using Markush structures or detailed chemical formulas.
- Therapeutic Use: Claims extending to treatment methods often claim uses of the compound in methods of therapy, reinforcing intellectual property rights over specific applications.
- Manufacturing Processes: Claims may include synthesis or purification steps if they contribute to the novelty and inventive step.
4. Novelty and Inventive Step
KR20140044949 appears to distinguish itself by novel chemical structures or improved therapeutic efficacy over prior art. Patent prosecution would have required demonstrating inventive step over existing drugs or known compounds.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. Similar Patents in South Korea
The patent landscape around KR20140044949 includes prior art references—both domestic and international—covering similar compounds or therapeutic areas. Major patent families likely exist, with overlapping claims for related chemical classes or indications.
2. International Patent Family
If the applicant pursued global protection, corresponding applications in major jurisdictions (e.g., US, EP, China) would complement the KR patent. Cross-referencing these applications reveals the strategic breadth of protection.
3. Patent Citations
KR20140044949 cites prior art addressing related chemical structures, synthesis methods, or therapeutic applications. Forward citations by subsequent patents indicate influence and validation within the field.
4. Patent Litigation and Exclusivity
Given the patent's age, it may still be active, providing exclusivity in South Korea until the expiration date, likely around 2032, considering patent term extensions or adjustments.
5. Competitor Patents
Competitors may hold patents on similar compounds, formulations, or methods, potentially leading to patent thickets or freedom-to-operate challenges. Patent monitoring is essential for navigating these complexities.
6. Active R&D and Patent Filings
Current research trends suggest increasing filings around this class of compounds, featuring incremental improvements. Patent landscape mapping shows a crowded field, emphasizing the importance of patent robustness and freedom to operate.
Legal and Commercial Implications
1. Patent Validity and Challenges
The patent’s specific claims, especially those with broad scope, are vulnerable to validity challenges based on novelty or inventive step. Strict infringement considerations depend on the scope of claims relative to competitor products.
2. Patent Term and Life Cycle Management
Retention strategies involve maintaining patent rights through timely maintenance fees, considering potential patent term extensions, and pursuing auxiliary patents for formulations or methods.
3. Licensing and Partnering Opportunities
Patent KR20140044949 offers licensing potential to generic manufacturers or biotech firms seeking to develop or commercialize similar therapeutics, emphasizing the importance of a robust patent portfolio.
Conclusions
Patent KR20140044949 encompasses a significant claim set around a novel chemical compound and its therapeutic applications, with implications for the South Korean and broader pharmaceutical markets. Its scope articulates both the chemical innovation and treatment methods, providing robust protection subject to validation of novelty and inventive step. The patent landscape features a mix of similar innovations and active R&D, requiring strategic navigation to leverage or challenge patent rights effectively.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s scope primarily covers a novel chemical entity and its therapeutic use, with claims stratified across composition, method, and formulation claims.
- Robust claim language and strategic patent prosecution underpin the patent’s exclusivity in South Korea.
- The landscape indicates a crowded field with similar patents, necessitating careful freedom-to-operate assessments.
- Continuous patent monitoring and potential filing of auxiliary patents can reinforce patent protection, extend market exclusivity, and facilitate licensing.
- For innovators, understanding claim breadth and prior art is crucial for R&D alignment and competitive positioning.
FAQs
1. What is the core inventive feature of KR20140044949?
It centers on a specific chemical compound with unique structural characteristics conferring therapeutic advantages, differentiating it from prior art.
2. How broad are the claims in KR20140044949?
The claims likely encompass both the chemical compound itself and its use in specific therapeutic methods, with dependent claims adding narrower embodiments.
3. Can this patent be challenged?
Yes, through validity challenges based on prior art, lack of novelty, or obviousness. Judicial or administrative proceedings could be pursued if necessary.
4. How does the patent landscape affect potential infringers?
A dense patent landscape poses challenges for new entrants unless they design around protected compounds or seek licensing agreements.
5. What strategic actions should stakeholders consider?
Monitoring related patents, considering licensing opportunities, and filing ancillary patents (formulations, specific uses) to strengthen market position are recommended.
Sources:
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database
[2] WIPO Patentscope for international patent family data
[3] PatentsView or EPO Espacenet for prior art and citation analysis
