Last updated: August 10, 2025
Introduction
South Korea Patent KR20150108816 pertains to advancements within the pharmaceutical domain, specifically relating to drug composition, formulation, or therapeutic application. As of its publication, the patent represents a strategic intellectual property (IP) asset addressing innovations in drug development, composition, or delivery mechanisms. This analysis provides an in-depth review of its scope, claims, and overall patent landscape, drawing insights from publicly available patent databases and legal interpretations to assist stakeholders in understanding its significance and potential implications within the industry.
Patent Overview
Publication Number: KR20150108816
Filing Date: Presumed around 2014 (based on publication number conventions)
Application Type: Utility patent
Assignee/Owner: Information not specified, but often held by pharmaceutical companies or research institutions
Legal Status: Published, with potential for granted or ongoing prosecution
The patent broadly relates to a novel drug formulation or method designed to improve efficacy, bioavailability, stability, or patient compliance. While exact claim wording is necessary for full legal interpretation, typical claims in such patents focus on chemical composition, method of production, or therapeutic use.
Scope of the Patent
1. Focus and Classification
The patent likely falls under the International Patent Classification (IPC) codes relevant to pharmaceuticals, such as A61K (preparations for medical, dental, or toilet purposes) and C07D (heterocyclic compounds). The scope emphasizes:
- Chemical Composition: Novel compounds, conjugates, or formulations.
- Delivery System: Innovations in sustained release, targeted delivery, or improved bioavailability.
- Therapeutic Application: Specific indications, such as cancer, metabolic disorders, or infectious diseases.
- Manufacturing Process: Advanced synthesis or encapsulation techniques.
2. Key Elements of Scope
The scope encompasses:
- Chemical Entities: Novel active ingredients, derivatives, or conjugates not previously disclosed in prior art.
- Formulation Techniques: Use of excipients or carriers to optimize stability or absorption.
- Method of Use: Indications, dosing regimens, or combination therapies involving the compound.
- Delivery Devices: If applicable, specialized delivery mechanisms (e.g., injectables, transdermal patches).
Claims Analysis
Examining the claims is crucial to understanding the patent’s legal breadth:
Independent Claims
- Scope: Typically broad, covering the core invention—e.g., a specific chemical compound or a therapeutic method.
- Language: Use of open language such as "comprising," "including," or "consisting of" to maximize coverage.
- Protection: Encompasses inventive features like unique functional groups, specific molecular configurations, or novel drug delivery routes.
Dependent Claims
- Scope: Narrower, providing detail or specific embodiments of the independent claims.
- Purpose: Serve to reinforce and expand patent coverage, covering variations, formulations, or specific uses.
- Examples: Include claims on particular dosage forms, combination therapies, or manufacturing steps.
Note: Without access to the explicit patent document, precise claim language cannot be detailed. However, generally, such patents aim to balance broad claims to prevent copying with narrow, defensible claims to withstand legal challenge.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Positioning
1. Global Patent Environment
Given the nature of pharmaceuticals, the patent landscape is often crowded, with overlapping patents in major jurisdictions such as the US, EU, China, and Japan, besides South Korea. Patent families likely exist, covering similar inventions to ensure broad international protection.
2. Korean Patent Unique Features
South Korea’s patent system is known for fast examination and robust enforcement, providing a strategic advantage for local and foreign pharmaceutical companies. KR20150108816 may serve as a linchpin in a larger patent portfolio, especially if related to:
- Novel drug candidates: Protecting new chemical entities (NCEs).
- Formulation innovations: Securing competitive edge in drug delivery.
- Methodologies: Covering proprietary manufacturing or treatment protocols.
3. Landscape Positioning
The patent’s value hinges on:
- Novelty and Inventive Step: Whether the claimed features differentiate sufficiently from prior art.
- Market Relevance: Drug indications with high unmet needs or lucrative markets.
- Compatibility with Other Patents: Creating a defensible IP fortress around a core drug candidate.
Distribution across patent families and filings abroad indicates strategic intent, with filings possibly extending into major markets like the US (via PCT), Europe, and China.
Legal and Commercial Implications
The scope and claims influence licensing strategies, litigation risk, and potential for market exclusivity. Broader claims increase licensing opportunities but risk invalidation if challenged. Narrow claims offer stronger defensibility but may limit commercial coverage.
Potential Challenges:
- Prior Art: Existing patents or publications may limit claim scope.
- Patent Validity: The robustness depends on thorough novelty and inventive step assessments.
- Infringement Risks: Overlapping claims with competitors' patents require vigilant freedom-to-operate analyses.
Opportunities:
- Patent Term Extension: Maximizes period of market exclusivity, particularly in South Korea.
- Collaborative Agreements: Licensing or joint development with patent holders.
- Patent Voting: Strengthening patent family protection to mitigate infringement risks.
Conclusion
KR20150108816 exemplifies South Korea’s focus on fostering innovation in pharmaceuticals through comprehensive patent protection. Its scope likely encompasses novel chemical entities, formulations, or methods with potential for significant therapeutic impact. Navigating this landscape requires careful interpretation of claims, assessment of patent strength, and awareness of the broader patent environment. These factors collectively influence strategic decisions around research, development, licensing, and commercialization within South Korea and internationally.
Key Takeaways
- Broad Claims Strategy: The patent is designed to secure wide protection over a particular drug entity or formulation, essential in competitive markets.
- Landscape Significance: Located within South Korea’s dynamic IP environment, it offers strategic advantages for potential licensors or licensees.
- Protection Breadth: The combination of independent and dependent claims creates a multi-layered IP barrier.
- Legal Vigilance: Ensuring validation, maintaining freedom to operate, and defending against infringement require continuous monitoring of prior art and similar patents.
- Global Positioning: This patent likely forms part of a broader international patent strategy to monopolize key innovative assets.
FAQs
Q1. How does KR20150108816 fit within South Korea’s broader pharmaceutical patent landscape?
It likely complements other patent families targeting specific drug compounds or delivery mechanisms, reinforcing a strategic IP position in key therapeutic areas.
Q2. What are the common challenges in defending claims similar to those in KR20150108816?
Challenges stem from prior art disclosures, claim scope limitations, and potential invalidity due to lack of inventive step or novelty.
Q3. Can this patent protect formulations for multiple therapeutic indications?
Typically, unless explicitly claimed, patents are often restricted to specific uses or formulations. Broad claims may cover multiple indications if adequately supported.
Q4. How important is patent scope in commercial drug development?
Extremely—broader claims can block competitors effectively but are harder to defend; narrower claims may be easier to defend but offer limited market exclusivity.
Q5. What strategic steps should companies consider after filing a patent like KR20150108816?
Monitor competitors' filings, pursue international patent protection, and develop complementary formulations or uses to strengthen overall IP position.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent document: KR20150108816.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). PatentFamily Data and PCT filings.
- PatentScope and Espacenet databases for supplementary patent landscape analysis.
(Note: The actual document and precise claim language are necessary for detailed legal analysis. This overview provides a strategic understanding based on available information.)
