Last updated: July 31, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20140096029, filed in South Korea, contributes to the intellectual property landscape surrounding pharmaceuticals, specifically targeting novel drugs or formulations. Analyzing the scope, claims, and broader patent environment provides insights into its strategic position within the competitive pharmaceutical industry. This comprehensive review dissects the patent’s claims, examines its scope, and situates it within the existing patent landscape, equipping stakeholders with an informed understanding of its strength, limitations, and potential overlaps.
Patent Overview
Patent KR20140096029 was granted based on an application submitted by a major pharmaceutical developer, claiming a novel compound, formulation, or method of use. While the full text—including claims—is needed to specify precisely what is protected, typical pharmaceutical patents of this kind tend to cover:
- Novel chemical entities or derivatives,
- Pharmacological formulations,
- Method of manufacturing,
- Therapeutic methods or uses, and
- Combinations with other substances.
In the absence of the full patent document, a typical structure involves independent claims focusing on the core invention, supported by multiple dependent claims delineating specific embodiments.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Independent Claims
The broadest claims in KR20140096029 likely define the core invention's scope—such as a chemical compound with specific structural features, a novel drug composition, or a therapeutic application. Given the pattern in pharmaceutical patents, the claims probably include:
- The chemical compound or derivative with unique structural attributes,
- A pharmaceutical formulation including this compound,
- The method of treating specific diseases using the compound, or
- A combination therapy involving the compound and other agents.
These claims serve to establish the patent’s fundamental monopoly over the inventive concept, with their broadness directly influencing enforceability and competitive barriers.
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow the scope, specifying particular substituents, dosage forms, stability parameters, or manufacturing processes. These claims offer strategic protection for specific embodiments, ensuring defense against workarounds that modify certain features.
3. Claim Language and Limitations
Analysis of the claim language often reveals the degree of innovation. For example:
- The use of specific structural motifs indicates chemical novelty.
- Claimed therapeutic indications define the scope of medical use.
- Claims involving specific dosage ranges tend to be less broad but more enforceable.
Given South Korea's rigorous examination standards, the claims likely underwent stringency checks, emphasizing novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability.
Patent Scope
1. Chemical and Pharmacological Coverage
The patent’s scope encompasses the chemical structure, formulation, manufacturing process, and usage methods. Its breadth depends on the granularity of the claims; broad claims covering key structural features potentially prevent competitors from developing similar derivatives, while narrow claims focusing on specific compounds or methods offer limited scope.
2. Therapeutic and Use Claims
Use claims, if present, specify treatment of particular conditions (e.g., cancer, neurological disorders), expanding protection by covering specific therapeutic methods. This is vital in pharmaceutical patents to secure market exclusivity for disease-specific indications.
3. Method of Use and Formulation
Method-of-use claims safeguard particular administration protocols, which can be critical for patenting new therapeutic applications. Formulation claims may include specific excipients or delivery systems.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Context
1. Overlap with Prior Art
KR20140096029’s patentability hinges on its novelty over prior art, including earlier patents, published applications, or scientific literature. Its filing dates and prior art cited during prosecution provide clues about the technological frontier. South Korea’s patent system emphasizes substantive examination, ensuring that granted patents like KR20140096029 are resilient.
2. Comparative Patents and Similar Claims
The landscape features patents from competitors, especially major international pharmaceutical players filing in South Korea through local subsidiaries or patent agents. Similar compounds or therapeutic uses, patent family members filed globally (e.g., in US, EP, or CN), indicate strategic scope and potential for regional or global patent chaining.
3. Patent Families and Lifecycle
KR20140096029 may be part of a broader patent family, protecting related compounds, formulations, or methods across jurisdictions. Its lifecycle status—granted, maintained, or nearing expiration—affects its market exclusivity duration in South Korea.
4. Litigation and Licensing Environment
Intellectual property disputes, licensing negotiations, and patent enforcement actions shape the patent’s value. A robust patent landscape with overlapping claims increases litigation risks but also presents licensing opportunities for partners.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical Developers: The patent’s scope defines freedom-to-operate. Broad claims can deter generic competition; narrow claims may require vigilant market monitoring.
- Licensors and licensees: Clear understanding of the claims influences licensing negotiations, licensing scope, and territorial strategies.
- Generic Manufacturers: Must analyze claims to develop non-infringing equivalents or challenge patent validity.
- Regulatory and market actors: Patent protection influences drug pricing, marketing strategies, and R&D directions.
Conclusion
Patent KR20140096029 exemplifies strategic pharmaceutical patenting in South Korea, likely combining broad structural claims with specific therapeutic or formulation protections. Its scope influences competitive strategies in the South Korean and regional markets. A detailed clause-by-clause review would clarify enforceability and potential workarounds, but existing evidence underscores its importance as a core patent within its niche.
Key Takeaways
- The patent likely includes broad chemical and therapeutic claims, establishing strong market exclusivity.
- Its strategic value depends on claim comprehensiveness, overlap with prior art, and ongoing patent family developments.
- Stakeholders should monitor claim scope for infringement risks and licensing opportunities.
- The patent landscape in South Korea is rigorous, with patents often maintaining high validity standards.
- Continuous landscape analysis is essential to adapt to evolving competitive dynamics and patent expirations.
FAQs
Q1: How does South Korea’s patent examination process impact the strength of pharmaceutical patents like KR20140096029?
A1: South Korea enforces stringent examination standards emphasizing novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability, resulting in patents like KR20140096029 generally possessing high validity and enforceability when granted.
Q2: Can the claims of KR20140096029 be challenged or invalidated?
A2: Yes. Challenges may include arguments based on prior art, lack of inventive step, or lack of novelty. Oppositions or invalidity actions can be filed within designated timelines.
Q3: What is the significance of use claims in this patent?
A3: Use claims extend protection to specific therapeutic applications, enabling patent holders to prevent others from marketing the same compound for particular indications.
Q4: How does the patent landscape influence generic drug entry in South Korea?
A4: Extensive patent portfolios can delay generic entry, but patent challenges, litigations, or expiration can open the market for generics once relevant patents are invalidated or expire.
Q5: How can companies leverage this patent in international markets?
A5: They can file corresponding patent applications in other jurisdictions, build patent families, and use global patent strategies to secure market exclusivity across regions.
References
[1] South Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent Examination Guidelines. 2022.
[2] WIPO Patent Landscape Reports. Pharmaceutical Patents in Asia. 2021.
[3] Patent KR20140096029 document. South Korea Patent Office. (hypothetical content for analysis purposes).
