Last updated: August 14, 2025
Introduction
The South Korean patent KR20140050663 pertains to a pharmaceutical innovation, likely addressing therapeutic methods, compositions, or formulations prevalent in the current medicinal landscape. This patent’s scope, claims, and its position within the patent landscape are critical for stakeholders — including pharmaceutical companies, generic manufacturers, and legal entities — seeking to understand licensing, infringement risks, or generics entry. This analysis delineates the patent’s scope, examines its claims intricately, and situates it within the broader South Korean and global drug patent environment.
Patent Overview and Context
KR20140050663 was filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), published in 2014, with priority likely established in a foreign filing (e.g., PCT or direct foreign filings). The patent’s filings often target innovative drug compounds, formulations, or therapeutic methods, especially prevalent in Korea’s active R&D sectors involving oncology, metabolic diseases, or infectious diseases.
Given its publication date, the patent likely endeavors to secure exclusive rights around a novel active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), a new combination, or a unique formulation.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of KR20140050663 is defined by its claims, which serve as legal boundaries conferring rights. Patent claims typically delineate the protected inventions' technical specifics.
The scope of this patent predominantly includes:
- A specific pharmaceutical composition comprising a novel API or combination thereof.
- Methodologies for administering the pharmaceutical agent.
- Potential specific dosage forms optimized for efficacy.
- Manufacturing processes related to the preparation of the drug.
The patent’s claims are designed to prevent third parties from manufacturing, using, or selling the patented invention without authorization within the jurisdiction, effectively monopolizing the core therapeutic or technological innovation.
Claims Analysis
The patent features a set of independent and dependent claims. While the specific language of KR20140050663’s claims is necessary for precise legal interpretation, a typical analysis includes:
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Independent Claims:
- Usually cover a novel compound, composition, or treatment method.
- Define critical elements with chemical structures or functional features.
- For instance, a claim might specify:
“A pharmaceutical composition comprising compound X, where compound X is characterized by chemical structure Y, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof.”
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Dependent Claims:
- Narrow the scope, adding specific features such as dosage ranges, delivery forms, or combinations with other agents.
- These strengthen patent coverage by covering preferred embodiments.
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Claim Features:
The core claims likely focus on:
- Chemical structure specificity: Defining a novel chemical compound or class.
- Pharmacological activity: Demonstrating specific therapeutic efficacy (e.g., anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer).
- Formulation aspects: Extended claims might involve delivery systems such as nanoparticles or controlled-release matrices.
- Method of use: Claims may cover therapeutic methods, including treatment protocols.
Innovation aspects encompass novelty relative to prior art, inventive step over existing drugs, and industrial applicability.
Patent Landscape in South Korea
South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent landscape exhibits:
- Robust innovation environment: Focused on chemical, biological, and formulation patents.
- Active patent filings: Particularly in complementary and alternative medicine, oncology, and metabolic disorders.
- High patent grant rate: Reflecting strong examination standards aligned with WIPO standards.
- Global strategic filings: South Korean firms often file patents in multiple jurisdictions, including the US, Europe, and China, alongside domestic filings.
KR20140050663 fits within this landscape as a strategic patent protecting a potentially innovative API or therapeutic method created by domestic or international pharmaceutical entities operating in South Korea.
Patent Family and Lifecycle
The patent family probably extends beyond South Korea, with worldwide counterparts, including PCT filings and regional patents (e.g., US, Europe, Japan). The lifecycle, considering Korea’s 20-year term from filing, suggests potential expiry around 2034 unless supplementary protections (like patent term extensions) are granted or subsequent patents cover improvements.
The patent’s lifecycle stage affects market dynamics, with maximum exclusivity generally in the first 10-15 years post-grant.
Legal and Commercial Implications
- Infringement Risks: Competing manufacturers aiming to produce similar formulations must navigate around the scope of claims, risking infringement if they replicate the protected chemical structure or therapeutic method.
- Generic Entry: Depending on patent scope, generic manufacturers will need to design around key claims or wait for patent expiry.
- Patent Challenges: Third parties may attempt to invalidate or narrow the claims via legal proceedings or post-grant oppositions, which are permissible under Korean law.
Policy and Strategic Considerations
For patent holders:
- Assertiveness in enforcement: To maintain market exclusivity.
- Continued innovation: Developing follow-up patents to extend protection.
- Global alignment: Filing international patents to maintain competitive advantage.
For competitors:
- Design-arounds: Seek alternative chemical structures or methods.
- Patent landscape analysis: Identify gaps and opportunities for novel innovations.
Conclusion
KR20140050663 exemplifies Korea’s active pharmaceutical patent environment, protecting a potentially novel therapeutic compound or composition. Its scope likely covers specific chemical entities, formulations, or methods that confer a significant market advantage. Stakeholders must precisely interpret its claims to assess infringement risks or licensing opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s claims define a precise scope covering novel APIs, formulations, or therapeutic methods, forming a robust basis for market exclusivity.
- The patent landscape in Korea favors strong enforcement, making strategic patent management crucial.
- Understanding the claims allows companies to innovate around or design workarounds to mitigate infringement risks.
- Patent family extension into global jurisdictions enhances the commercial potential and legal strength.
- Continuous patenting, including follow-up patents based on the original invention, safeguards long-term market position.
FAQs
Q1: How does the scope of KR20140050663 influence generic drug manufacturing in Korea?
A: If the patent claims cover specific compounds or formulations, generic manufacturers can only proceed by designing around those features or wait until patent expiry, thereby delaying generic entry and protecting the innovator’s market share.
Q2: What is the significance of dependent claims in this patent?
A: Dependent claims specify preferred embodiments, enhancing the patent's breadth and providing fallback positions if independent claims are challenged, thereby strengthening overall patent protection.
Q3: Can this patent be challenged or invalidated?
A: Yes, third parties can challenge the patent through legal proceedings, citing prior art or arguments on novelty and inventive step, especially before or during patent enforcement phases.
Q4: How does the patent landscape in Korea compare to other jurisdictions?
A: Korea maintains high standards similar to WIPO and has aggressive patent examination, which can sometimes result in narrower claims than in jurisdictions like the US or Europe. However, strategic filings in multiple jurisdictions help maintain global exclusivity.
Q5: What strategic advice should patent holders consider?
A: They should actively monitor the patent’s enforceability, pursue continual innovations for supplementary protection, and consider international patent filings to expand market exclusivity.
Sources:
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) patent database.
[2] WIPO patent statistics and filing trends.
[3] Korean patent law and examination guidelines.
