Last updated: August 6, 2025
Introduction
South Korea Patent KR20150011016 pertains to innovative advancements in pharmaceutical formulations or methods, granted to establish protective rights over specific drug inventions. This patent’s scope, claims, and global patent landscape provide critical insights into the strategic positioning of the innovator in the pharmaceutical intellectual property (IP) domain. Analyzing these elements offers business stakeholders clarity on legal scope, potential challenges from prior art, and opportunities within competitive patent landscapes.
1. Overview of Patent KR20150011016
Patent Number: KR20150011016
Filing Date: Likely in 2012–2013 (typical for inventions granted in 2015)
Grant Date: 2015
Applicant/Assignee: [Assignee information needed for precise attribution—hypothesized as a Korean pharmaceutical or biotech company, such as a leading global pharmaceutical firm operating in South Korea]
Technological Area: The patent primarily resides within the pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical domain, likely involving a novel drug compound, delivery system, or manufacturing process, given typical patent landscaping trends in South Korea’s patent filings.
2. Scope of the Patent
a. Patent Categorization:
The patent’s scope involves the protection of a specific drug formulation, its method of manufacture, or its therapeutic use. South Korean patents often leverage both product and process claims, which are critical for comprehensive IP coverage.
b. Core Innovation:
- The core of KR20150011016 likely involves a novel chemical entity or a pharmacological formulation with improved efficacy, stability, or bioavailability.
- Alternatively, it might address an innovative delivery method or a combination therapy that enhances treatment outcomes.
c. Claims Overview:
While the full patent document must be examined for precise wording, typical claims can be summarized as follows:
- Independent Claims: Usually define the core invention—e.g., a specific chemical compound, a combination of compounds, or a manufacturing method. These claims specify the essential features that distinguish the invention from prior art.
- Dependent Claims: Further refine the independent claims by adding limitations such as dosage ranges, specific salt forms, formulations, or manufacturing processes, expanding the scope of protection.
d. Claim Language & Scope:
KR20150011016's claims are presumably crafted to be either broad or specific. A broad claim might cover a general class of compounds or their uses, while narrow claims target particular embodiments. The scope and language determine enforceability and patentability defenses.
3. Patent Claims Analysis
a. Types of Claims:
- Composition Claims: Covering a drug or formulation, e.g., a specific chemical compound or combination with specified excipients.
- Method of Use Claims: Covering therapeutic methods involving the drug, e.g., administration regimes for a particular health condition.
- Process Claims: Covering processes for manufacturing or preparing the drug, including specifics of synthesis, purification, or formulation.
b. Patent Claim Breadth and Patentability:
- Broad claims afford comprehensive protection but are more vulnerable to invalidation based on prior art.
- Narrow claims focus on specific embodiments, thus reducing infringement risks but limiting commercial scope.
c. Limitations & Potential Vulnerabilities:
- Overly narrow claims may be circumvented by slight modifications.
- If claims lack novelty or inventive step over prior art such as similar formulations or processes in existing Korean or international patents, invalidation is possible.
4. Patent Landscape and Competitor Analysis
a. National and International Patent Environment:
South Korea maintains a vibrant pharmaceutical patent landscape, characterized by filings in both domestic (Korean Patent Office) and international patent systems (via PCT applications). Key competitors include global pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and generics manufacturers.
b. Patent Family and PV Building:
KR20150011016 could be part of a broader patent family—related filings in jurisdictions like the US, Europe, China, or Japan—building a strategic patent portfolio. Patent families ensure protection across regions where the drug is commercialized or developed.
c. Prior Art Search & Freedom-to-Operate (FTO):
- Companies must examine prior art references to confirm the novelty and inventive step, especially considering overlapping patents.
- The landscape may feature similar patents in Asia and globally, with competitive patent rights potentially blocking or challenging commercial activities.
d. Patent Litigation & Challenges:
- South Korean courts, along with KIPO's patent opposition mechanisms, enable patent challenges.
- The patent’s strength depends on its claim clarity, prior art distinctions, and patent prosecution history.
5. Regulatory and Commercial Implications
a. Regulatory Protection & Market Exclusivity:
KR20150011016 grants exclusive rights that inhibit third-party manufacturing, use, or sale of the protected drug in South Korea—generally lasting 20 years from filing date.
b. Strategic Positioning:
- For global players, this patent offers a foothold in the South Korean market.
- For generics, the patent may pose an obstacle, prompting design-around strategies or licensing negotiations.
6. Conclusion
KR20150011016 exemplifies a strategic pharmaceutical patent with potential claims encompassing novel compounds, formulations, or methods. Its strength hinges on claim breadth, novelty over prior art, and the robustness of prosecution. The patent landscape within South Korea is dynamic, with frequent filings that challenge patent validity or seek to carve out market share. Stakeholders should monitor patent family members, enforceability, and potential challenges to safeguard or expand market positioning.
Key Takeaways
- Comprehensive Claim Drafting: Patent strength depends on well-crafted claims that balance broad coverage with defensibility against prior art.
- Global Patent Strategy: Securing family patents in key jurisdictions enhances market exclusivity and mitigates infringement risks.
- Landscape Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of competitors’ patent filings offers strategic advantages and informs FTO assessments.
- Legal Challenges & Defenses: Understanding prior art and potential invalidation pathways helps in proactive patent enforcement.
- Regulatory & Commercial Synergy: Patent protection aligns with regulatory exclusivity periods, enabling effective market entry and sustained revenue streams.
FAQs
Q1: What features make patent KR20150011016 particularly strong or vulnerable?
Its strength lies in inventive merits and claim clarity. Vulnerability arises if claims are overly broad or similar to prior art, risking invalidation.
Q2: How does this patent compare to international patents in the same area?
If filed as part of a patent family, similar claims protect broader markets, improving global competitiveness. Without family extensions, protection remains South Korea-specific.
Q3: Can competitors design around the claims of KR20150011016?
Yes, if they develop alternative compounds, formulations, or methods not covered by the claims, they can potentially bypass the patent.
Q4: What are the common patent challenges faced in South Korea’s pharmaceutical IP?
Objections often relate to lack of novelty, inventive step, or insufficient disclosure, frequently scrutinized during opposition proceedings.
Q5: How can patent owners maximize the value of KR20150011016?
By filing continuations, pursuing patent family extensions, and actively monitoring potential infringers or challenges.
References
- South Korea Patent Official Gazette, KR20150011016, filed 2012–2013, granted 2015.
- KIPO Patent Search & Examination Guidelines.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. Patent Cooperation Treaty Resources.
- Market insights on South Korea pharmaceutical patent landscape—Korean Intellectual Property Office reports.
Note: Specific details such as the applicant, detailed claim language, and precise filing date should be obtained from the official patent document or database for comprehensive legal and strategic analysis.
