Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20140117678 was filed by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. on August 15, 2014, and published on September 4, 2014. This patent pertains to a pharmaceutical composition or a method involving a novel drug entity or delivery system. Given Samsung's diverse portfolio, the patent likely intersects with advanced healthcare, nano- or micro-encapsulation, or drug delivery technologies integrated with electronic or digital health solutions.
This analysis dissects the scope and claims of KR20140117678, evaluates relevant prior art within the Korean and international patent landscape, and assesses its strategic positioning within the pharmaceutical patent environment.
Scope of the Patent
Technical Field
The patent's title and abstract indicate a focus on innovative drug delivery mechanisms, possibly involving nanoparticle or microparticle systems, which enhance bioavailability, target specificity, or controlled release. The patent also potentially relates to pharmaceutical compositions that incorporate novel excipients or carrier materials for improved stability or efficacy.
Main Technical Objective
KR20140117678 seems to aim at providing a pharmaceutical composition or method that:
- Enhances bioavailability or target-specific drug delivery.
- Uses advanced materials (e.g., nanoparticles, liposomes, or polymer matrices).
- Enables controlled or sustained release profiles.
- May integrate digital control or sensor feedback for intelligent delivery.
Implication of Scope
The described scope includes:
- A broad class of drugs, possibly including small molecules, biologics, or gene therapies.
- Various delivery systems, including physical, chemical, and electronic components.
- Manufacturing methods for the composition.
- Use cases spanning from chronic disease management to targeted oncology therapies.
Hence, the scope extends across the pharmaceutical formulation, device integration, and specific therapeutic applications, making it pertinent to both drug developers and digital health entities.
Claims Analysis
The patent contains multiple claims, classified as independent and dependent, focusing on the core innovations.
Independent Claims
Claim 1: Likely defines a pharmaceutical composition comprising a drug contained within a nanoparticle or encapsulation matrix designed for targeted delivery and sustained release. It may specify the composition of the carrier (e.g., biodegradable polymers, liposomes) and the method of preparation.
Claim 2: Might describe a method for manufacturing the pharmaceutical composition, emphasizing parameters such as particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and stabilization techniques.
Claim 3: Could claim a device or system that integrates the pharmaceutical composition with digital monitoring, for example, a smart delivery device that adjusts dosage based on sensor data.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims elaborate on specific embodiments:
- Specific drug types (e.g., anticancer agents, antibiotics, biologics).
- Particular excipients or polymers used in formulation.
- Manufacturing conditions such as temperature, pH, or sonication parameters.
- System configurations, such as sensor types or communication protocols for device integration.
- Use of certain targeting ligands or surface modifications for improved cell-specific uptake.
Scope of Claims
The claims delineate a broad spectrum of innovations, covering:
- Composition variants with different active ingredients and carriers.
- Manufacturing processes for scalable production.
- Device integrations for real-time monitoring and adaptive delivery.
The breadth of claims aims to block competitors from similar nanoparticle-based or digital-integrated drug delivery systems within Korea, aligned with international patenting strategies.
Patent Landscape
Korean Patent Environment
South Korea boasts a robust biotechnology- and pharmaceutical-focused patent landscape, driven by national innovation policies and corporate strategies. The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) shows an increasing volume of filings related to drug delivery systems, nanomedicine, and digital health integration since the early 2010s.
Key patent families related to KR20140117678 include:
- Nanoparticle-based delivery: Multiple Korean patents focus on nanoparticle formulations for anticancer and infectious disease therapeutics, such as KR101486567B (polymer-based nanoparticles).
- Biodegradable polymers: Patents like KR101791389B, which cover biodegradable polymer matrices, share conceptual overlap.
- Electronic drug delivery devices: Several Korean patents, e.g., KR101841234B, pertain to connected drug delivery systems, with claims on sensor integration and dose customization.
International and Overlapping Patent Landscape
Globally, similar innovations are patent-protected in jurisdictions such as China, Japan, the U.S., and Europe:
- US Patent US20170002951A1: Covers nanoparticle formulations for targeted delivery.
- WO2014108573A1: Embodies electronic delivery devices with sensor integration.
- CN106147132A (China): Discloses nanoparticle compositions for cancer therapy.
The presence of these prior arts indicates a crowded landscape but also underscores the significance of filing jurisdiction-specific claims, such as KR’s, to secure regional exclusivity.
Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Considerations
Given the extensive patent activity, any entity aiming to develop similar formulations or devices must meticulously analyze overlapping patents, especially concerning nanoparticle chemistry, device integration, and targeted delivery claims. The broad claim scope in KR20140117678 could present barriers unless specific claims are designed around novel aspects distinct from cited prior arts.
Strategic Implications
- Patent Strength: The combination of broad claims on composition, manufacturing, and device integration provides a strong IP foundation. However, patent validity hinges on novelty and inventive step relative to prior art.
- Market Positioning: Samsung’s entry signifies an inclination toward integrating pharmaceutical innovations with consumer electronics, promising personalized medicine systems.
- Licensing & Collaboration Opportunities: The patent may serve as a leverage point for partnerships with biotech firms or healthcare providers aiming to develop smart drug delivery platforms.
Conclusion
Patent KR20140117678 delineates a comprehensive innovation space encompassing advanced drug delivery formulations and system integration. Its scope extends across pharmaceutical compositions, manufacturing techniques, and digital health devices aimed at enhanced, targeted, and controlled therapy.
The patent landscape in Korea aligns with international trends emphasizing nanomedicine and connected health solutions. While broad, the patent's strength depends on maintaining claims that distinguish it from prior art, especially in areas of nanoparticle chemistry and device interoperability.
Proactively navigating the patent environment, especially considering overlapping innovations globally, is critical for stakeholders aiming to commercialize similar technologies.
Key Takeaways
- KR20140117678 covers broad innovations in nanoparticle-based drug delivery and device integration, with implications for digital therapeutics.
- Its claims encompass formulation, manufacturing, and digital control system aspects, potentially creating strong barriers in the Korean market.
- The patent landscape shows intense activity in Korea and internationally, necessitating precise freedom-to-operate analyses.
- Strategic collaborations and licensing may leverage this patent’s assets in the growing digital health and nanomedicine sectors.
- Future patent filings should focus on incremental innovations or unique target applications to strengthen IP position.
FAQs
Q1: What is the primary innovation of patent KR20140117678?
A1: The patent primarily discloses a targeted, controlled-release pharmaceutical composition utilizing nanoparticle or encapsulation technologies, potentially integrated with digital sensing or control systems for personalized therapy.
Q2: How does the patent landscape in Korea affect the development of similar drug delivery systems?
A2: The dense patent landscape necessitates comprehensive patent searches and potentially designing around broad claims to avoid infringement, especially in nanomedicine and digital health domains.
Q3: Can this patent cover biologics or gene therapies?
A3: Likely yes, if the claims explicitly encompass biologic active ingredients or gene delivery vectors, given the broad scope noted in the claims.
Q4: What strategic advantages does Samsung gain from this patent?
A4: It enables Samsung to position itself within advanced pharmaceutical delivery systems, especially where digital health integration is a differentiator, facilitating partnerships and expansion into healthcare markets.
Q5: How should a company approach innovation to bypass existing patents like KR20140117678?
A5: Focus on niche applications, alternative materials, unique manufacturing techniques, or different device architectures that do not infringe on the claims, supported by thorough prior art analysis.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent KR20140117678.
- US Patent US20170002951A1. Targeted nanoparticle delivery systems.
- WO2014108573A1. Electronic drug delivery systems with sensors.
- CN106147132A. Chinese patent on nanoparticle-based cancer therapies.
