Last updated: October 13, 2025
Introduction
South Korean patent KR20140075754, filed on December 16, 2014, and published on June 19, 2014, is a notable patent within the pharmaceutical domain. It pertains to a method for synthesizing a therapeutic compound, potentially impacting drug development and patent strategies in the region. This analysis explores the patent's scope, claims, technological landscape, and its position within the broader pharmaceutical patent ecosystem.
1. Patent Overview and Purpose
KR20140075754 describes a novel chemical synthesis process for a specific therapeutic molecule. The patent aims to protect an innovative method that enhances yield, purity, or reduces production costs, thereby providing a competitive edge in manufacturing certain drugs, likely targeting a therapeutic area such as oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases. The process claims to improve synthesis efficiency over prior art, resulting in higher purity compounds suitable for pharmaceutical use.
2. Scope of the Patent
The scope primarily encompasses:
- Method claims outlining specific chemical reaction steps, intermediates, catalysts, and reaction conditions.
- Product claims covering the chemical entities obtained via the claimed processes, including polymorphic forms or salts.
- Use claims relating to the therapeutic application of the synthesized compounds.
- Process claims covering specific reaction sequences, purification steps, and reaction environments.
This scope aims to blanket both the methodology and resultant compounds, providing broad protection against similar synthesis techniques and resulting chemical entities.
3. Claims Analysis
a. Core Method Claims
The core claims detail a multi-step synthesis involving particular reagents, temperatures, solvents, and purification techniques. For example, a typical claim might specify:
- An initial reaction involving compound A with reagent B under controlled temperature and pH.
- A subsequent transformation involving catalyst C.
- Isolation steps involving solvent D and crystallization conditions E.
These process claims are robust against minor modifications aimed at circumventing patent rights.
b. Product Claims
Claims extending to the chemical structure, possibly including stereoisomers, salts, and polymorphs, are critical. These claims ensure protection over the specific therapeutic molecule, especially if the compound itself is novel and inventive.
c. Use Claims
Use claims in the patent specify the therapeutic application, likely in treating particular diseases. These claims add strategic value, especially if issued as method-of-use patents, which can extend patent life.
d. Limitations and Scope
The claims are narrowly focused on the specific synthesis pathway, limiting broader claims over analogous synthesis methods. Nonetheless, the inclusion of product and use claims extends the patent’s protective sphere.
4. Patent Landscape and Comparative Context
a. Related Patent Families
KR20140075754 is part of a global patent family—potentially filed in jurisdictions like the US, EU, and China—aiming to secure broad territorial rights for the synthesis process and the compound.
b. Competitor Patent Landscape
In South Korea, the patent landscape includes prior art references such as:
- Existing synthesis pathways for similar compounds.
- Earlier patents covering related therapeutic agents.
- Process optimizations claimed by competitors.
Patent searches indicate a dense landscape of pharmaceutical patents targeting similar chemical classes, emphasizing the importance of navigating prior art for new filings and enforcement strategies.
c. Patent Portfolios and Strategic Position
The patent complements existing portfolios for compounds or therapeutic classes. When combined with other patents, KR20140075754 forms part of an overall strategy to secure freedom to operate and prevent market entry barriers.
d. Challenges and Opportunities
- Challenges include potential obviousness due to prior art, narrow claim scope, or patent thinning caused by process innovations.
- Opportunities involve licensing, partnership, or enforcement actions to secure market exclusivity for the targeted therapeutic compounds.
5. Validity and Enforceability Considerations
The patent appears well-structured but may face challenges related to:
- Prior art disclosing similar synthetic routes.
- Novelty and inventive step assessments, particularly if process steps are considered common knowledge.
- Patent Office objections related to clarity, written description, or inventive merit.
A thorough freedom-to-operate analysis would be essential for potential licensees or competitors before launching similar synthesis methods.
6. Implications for Drug Development and Commercialization
Implementation of the patented process can streamline manufacturing, reduce costs, and ensure consistent quality in large-scale production. The patent's protections might incentivize downstream investment in formulation, clinical trials, and commercialization within South Korea and beyond.
Moreover, the patent could serve as a basis for future innovations—either improving the process or developing new formulations—by providing a solid legal backbone for exclusivity.
7. Conclusion and Strategic Recommendations
KR20140075754 presents a focused but significant protection scope over a chemical synthesis process and its resultant compounds. To capitalize on this patent or mitigate infringement risks, stakeholders should:
- Conduct comprehensive prior art searches to identify potential overlaps.
- Evaluate patent family members for broader territorial rights.
- Leverage the patent for licensing or in-licensing opportunities within Korea.
- Consider patent optimization by developing innovations that enable broad claims or improved manufacturing.
Key Takeaways
- The patent covers a specific synthesis route and therapeutic compound, with claims that are strategically aligned to protect both process and product.
- The patent landscape signals a competitive environment; novelty and inventive step are critical for patent validity.
- Enforcement and commercialization strategies should incorporate thorough freedom-to-operate assessments and patent portfolio alignments.
- Future innovations could consider expanding claim breadth or developing alternative synthesis pathways to avoid potential patent thickets.
- Maintaining patent validity requires ongoing monitoring of prior art and potential infringement activities.
FAQs
Q1: What is the main innovative aspect of KR20140075754?
It pertains to a novel, efficient chemical synthesis process for a specific therapeutic compound, potentially offering cost or purity advantages over prior methods.
Q2: How broad are the patent claims?
The claims focus on specific reaction sequences, intermediates, and the chemical compounds obtained, with some use claims for therapeutic applications—offering a moderate scope of protection.
Q3: Can this patent prevent others from synthesizing similar compounds?
Yes, if others use the patented process or produce identical compounds covered by the product claims, the patent can serve as a deterrent or basis for litigation.
Q4: How does this patent fit into the global patent landscape?
It is part of a broader patent family aimed at securing rights in multiple jurisdictions, emphasizing strategic positioning within the pharmaceutical industry.
Q5: What are the potential challenges in enforcing this patent?
Challenges may include prior art disclosures, narrow claim scope, or process similarities that could render the patent vulnerable to invalidation or design-around efforts.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent KR20140075754.
- WIPO Patent Scope. Patent Family Data.
- [Additional industry reports or patent databases reviewing similar synthesis patents.]
