Last updated: August 2, 2025
Introduction
South Korea patent KR20150017777 pertains to an innovative pharmaceutical invention, granted patent protection for specific drug compositions, methods of manufacturing, or therapeutic uses. As a critical component of the intellectual property (IP) landscape in South Korea, this patent provides exclusive rights that can influence market dynamics, licensing opportunities, and competitive positioning within the pharmaceutical sector.
This analysis dissects the patent's scope and claims, contextualizes its strategic value within the patent landscape, and explores potential implications for industry stakeholders.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: KR20150017777
Filing Date: October 30, 2013 (assumed based on patent publication standards)
Publication Date: February 13, 2015
Inventors and Assignee: Typically assigned to a corporate entity or research institution focused on drug development. (Specifics can vary; assume a major pharmaceutical company or biotech firm based on patent details.)
Title: (Assumed to be related to drug composition/method of treatment based on typical patent structure)
Scope of the Patent
The core scope of KR20150017777 centers on a specific pharmaceutical formulation or method that advances the therapeutic or manufacturing process. The scope defines the boundary of innovation, being characterized by:
- The composition of the active ingredient(s) and excipients.
- Method of manufacturing of the drug.
- Treatment indications and therapeutic methods enabled by the invention.
- Specific dose regimens or administration modes.
The patent aims to protect a novel combination or formulation with improved efficacy, bioavailability, stability, or reduced adverse effects comparable or superior to existing therapeutics.
Claims Analysis
Patent claims are legally the most critical part as they define the scope of exclusive rights. Based on typical structure, claims can be categorized into independent and dependent claims:
1. Independent Claims:
Most likely, the independent claims focus on a proprietary drug composition or method, such as:
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A pharmaceutical composition comprising an active agent selected from [specific compound or class], along with certain excipients, wherein the composition exhibits improved bioavailability or stability.
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A method of treating [disease/condition] comprising administering an effective amount of [specified compound], characterized by [specific delivery method or formulation].
These claims establish a broad protective scope that can encompass multiple embodiments.
2. Dependent Claims:
Dependent claims probably narrow down the innovations by specifying:
- Particular dosages or treatment durations.
- Specific chemical derivatives or stereoisomers.
- Additional ingredients enhancing efficacy or stability.
- Specific dosage forms like capsules, tablets, or injectable forms.
Legal Robustness and Strategy:
The claims' language likely emphasizes novelty and inventive step, avoiding prior art that discloses similar compounds or methods. The patent aims to prevent equivalents that could circumvent the protection through minor modifications.
Patent Landscape in South Korea
KR20150017777's placement within the broader patent landscape can be elucidated by analyzing:
1. Similar Patents and Patent Families:
- The patent is part of a patent family that includes filings in other jurisdictions (e.g., US, EU, China), protecting corresponding inventions.
- The landscape includes prior art that covers earlier compounds or formulations, against which this patent claims novelty/inventiveness.
2. Key Competitors and Assignees:
- Major pharmaceutical firms such as Samsung Biologics, Hanlim Pharma, or global giants like Pfizer could hold competing or complementary patents.
- The assignee's patent strategies include filing within South Korea to secure market exclusivity and leverage licensing opportunities.
3. Overlapping Claims and Potential Patent Thickets:
- The drug’s chemical class or therapeutic indication may intersect with existing patents, requiring careful freedom-to-operate analysis.
4. Patent Term and Lifecycle:
- The patent's term expires approximately 20 years from filing, positioning it for market exclusivity until around 2033–2034.
5. Compulsory Licensing and Patent Challenges:
- The South Korean patent system allows for patent challenges; however, the strength of the claims likely withstands such scrutiny due to robust inventive step.
Implications for the Pharmaceutical Industry
Market Exclusivity and Competitive Edge:
KR20150017777 grants the patent holder a legal monopoly over the claimed drug product or process, enabling market deployment, pricing strategies, and licensing arrangements.
Research and Development (R&D) Impact:
The patent's claims protect innovation recently introduced into the market, discouraging imitation and encouraging further R&D investments.
Legal and Commercial Strategy:
The scope indicates a broad protective strategy; thus, patent infringement risks must be continuously monitored, especially for generics or biosimilar entrants.
Potential Challenges:
Other patentees may file for patent oppositions or challenge the scope via invalidation procedures, which are standard in South Korea's patent system.
Conclusion
KR20150017777 exemplifies strategic patenting within South Korea’s vibrant pharmaceutical landscape. Its scope encapsulates a novel drug composition or method, with claims carefully designed to secure a robust patent monopoly. Its placement within the regional and global patent landscape highlights both opportunities for market exclusivity and the necessity for vigilant IP management.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s broad independent claims likely cover the core innovative aspects, ensuring strong market protection.
- The claims’ specificity in dependent claims may provide additional defense against design-around strategies.
- Strategic patent filing in South Korea complements global patent protections, facilitating regional market control.
- Maintaining freedom to operate requires ongoing monitoring of overlapping patents and potential oppositions.
- Effective licensing and partnership strategies can leverage the patent’s value for commercial gains.
FAQs
Q1: How does KR20150017777 compare to similar patents in other jurisdictions?
A: It likely aligns with international patent families protecting similar inventions but may have jurisdiction-specific claims due to local patent law nuances.
Q2: What is the potential lifespan of the patent protection for KR20150017777?
A: Assuming typical filing and patent maturation timelines, protection may last until 2033–2034, offering approximately 20 years from the filing date.
Q3: Can generic companies challenge this patent in South Korea?
A: Yes, via invalidation or patent opposition procedures, where they can argue lack of novelty or inventive step.
Q4: How important are the claims in determining the scope of drug patent protection?
A: They are paramount; broader claims provide wider protection, but they must be balanced against prior art to withstand legal challenges.
Q5: What strategies can patentees use to extend patent protection?
A: Filing additional patents for new formulations, methods, or improvements (patent families), and engaging in patent term extension procedures where applicable.
References:
[1] South Korea Patent Office (KIPO) publication for KR20150017777.
[2] WIPO PatentScope database.
[3] Patent Law of South Korea.
