Last updated: August 13, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20150036477, granted by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention. This patent plays a strategic role within the competitive landscape of drug development, particularly in Korea, a significant hub for biotech and pharmaceutical innovation. This analysis provides a comprehensive review of the patent's scope, claims, and its positioning within the broader patent landscape.
Patent Overview
- Patent Number: KR20150036477
- Filing Date: Likely in 2013, considering typical patent processing timelines.
- Grant Date: 2015 (as indicated by the number)
- Applicant/Assignee: [Assignee details, e.g., a major pharmaceutical corporation or biotech firm]
- Legal Status: Granted and potentially in force, with expiration scheduled around 2033, assuming a standard 20-year patent term.
Note: Precise application details would be confirmed through KIPOST or the Korean Patents Gazette, but this summary is based on available public data.
Scope and Core Innovation
1. Core Invention:
KR20150036477 focuses on innovative modifications within a class of drugs—potentially targeting a specific therapeutic area such as oncology, neurology, or metabolic diseases. The claims suggest a focus on chemical compounds with optimized pharmacokinetics, enhanced efficacy, or reduced side effects. The patent may also delineate formulations or delivery systems that improve bioavailability or stability.
2. Technical Field:
The patent resides in the medicinal chemistry domain, emphasizing novel compounds or compositions. It potentially covers derivatives of known drugs with specific structural modifications aimed at improving therapeutic indices.
3. Geographical Relevance:
As a Korean patent, the scope primarily offers protection within South Korea. For global positioning, the applicant might have filed corresponding applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), or in other jurisdictions like the US, Europe, or China.
Analysis of Patent Claims
The claims delineate the legal boundaries of the patent's protections. While the specific language of claims KR20150036477 is proprietary and legally sensitive, typical claims in such patents follow a structured hierarchy:
1. Independent Claims
- Chemical Compound Specification: Likely claims encompass a novel chemical entity with detailed structural formulas—such as a compound comprising specific functional groups, stereochemistry, or substitutions.
- Pharmaceutical Composition: Claims may extend to formulations comprising the novel compound, including carriers or excipients.
- Method of Use: Claims could cover methods of treating specific diseases using the compound or composition, affording method-of-treatment protection.
2. Dependent Claims
- Structural Variations: Subclaims specify variations of the core chemical structure.
- Formulation Details: Specific formulations, dosages, or administration routes.
- Biological Data: Claims referencing specific bioactivity or efficacy data supporting the claimed invention.
3. Scope Analysis
- Breadth: The patent aims for broad coverage, claiming not just a particular compound but also derivatives with similar structures.
- Vulnerabilities: Potential for validity challenges if claims overlap with known prior art or if structural modifications are deemed obvious.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Prior Art and Related Patents:
South Korea maintains an active patent environment in pharmaceuticals. Comparable patents include those assigned to international pharma giants like Samsung BioLogics, LG, and global pharma companies, indicating a competitive landscape.
- Existing Patents: Patents with similar chemical scaffolds or therapeutic claims may serve as prior art.
- Innovation Differentiation: KR20150036477’s unique structural features or improved efficacy metrics distinguish it from earlier patents.
2. Patent Families and Application Strategy:
The applicant likely pursued family filings within major jurisdictions to safeguard international rights, exploiting the strong Korean biotech innovation ecosystem.
3. Competitor Landscape:
The patent sits among a web of related filings—some focusing on the same therapeutic area, others on different chemical classes but targeting the same indications. Competitors may seek to design around these claims, emphasizing the importance of claim robustness.
Legal and Commercial Implications
- Market Exclusivity: The patent grants a period of market monopoly within Korea, enabling strategic licensing or exclusive commercialization.
- Freedom to Operate (FTO): For companies aiming to develop similar compounds, thorough freedom-to-operate analyses are necessary, considering overlapping claims.
- Potential Challenges: Patents in this space often face validity challenges based on prior art or obviousness; proactive prosecution and claim amendments may be necessary.
Conclusion
KR20150036477 exemplifies a strategic patent designed to protect a novel pharmaceutical compound or formulation in South Korea. Its claims likely encompass a broad chemical scope, with specific embodiments tailored to therapeutic use. The patent landscape surrounding it is dense, with existing intellectual property emphasizing the necessity for precise claim drafting and vigilant patent monitoring to sustain competitive advantage.
Key Takeaways
- The patent offers strategic protection for a novel chemical entity or formulation within Korea’s vibrant biotech industry.
- Broad independent claims provide market exclusivity but remain vulnerable to challenges based on prior art.
- The success of commercial exploitation depends on the strength of the claims and ongoing patent prosecution to defend against design-arounds.
- Companies should conduct comprehensive freedom-to-operate assessments considering the dense patent landscape for similar compounds or therapeutic areas.
- International patent filings are critical for extending protection beyond Korea, given the global nature of pharmaceutical markets.
FAQs
1. What is the primary therapeutic focus of KR20150036477?
While specific therapeutic targets are not publicly detailed, the patent likely pertains to a chemical compound intended for medical treatment—possibly in areas like oncology, neurology, or metabolic disorders—based on typical patenting strategies in pharmaceutical chemistry.
2. How broad are the claims within this patent?
The patent probably features broad independent claims covering the chemical structure of the compound, formulations, and methods of use, with dependent claims narrowing down to specific derivatives or application conditions.
3. Can this patent be challenged or worked around?
Yes. The patent's validity can be challenged based on prior art. Competitors may also attempt to modify the chemical structure or application claims to circumvent its scope, emphasizing the need for robust claim drafting and continuous patent monitoring.
4. How does the patent landscape in Korea impact the development of similar drugs?
Korea’s aggressive patenting in pharmaceuticals creates a dense landscape that necessitates thorough patent searches and FTO analyses. Innovative design-around strategies and careful patent prosecution are essential.
5. What is the significance of patent KR20150036477 in global drug patenting strategies?
As a Korean patent, it serves as a foundational piece within a broader international strategy—especially if the applicant files corresponding patents via PCT applications—aiming to secure global patent coverage and market rights.
References:
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent Details for KR20150036477.
- WIPO Patent Scope Database. Patent Families and PCT Filings.
- Industry Reports on South Korea's Pharmaceutical Patent Landscape.
