Last updated: August 4, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20150110827, titled "Method for treating cancer using programmed cell death 4 (PCD4) expression regulation," reflects South Korea’s strategic focus on oncology therapeutics. As Korea continues to position itself as a significant innovation hub in biotech and pharmaceuticals, understanding the scope, claims, and patent landscape of key patents such as KR20150110827 is critical for industry stakeholders—be they innovators, generic manufacturers, or investors.
This analysis dissects the patent’s scope and claims, evaluates their robustness, and contextualizes KR20150110827 within the broader patent ecosystem. It aims to assist stakeholders in making informed decisions regarding licensing, infringement risk, or strategic R&D planning.
Patent Overview and Bibliographic Data
- Patent Number: KR20150110827
- Application Filing Date: June 22, 2015
- Publication Date: August 4, 2015
- Applicants: Likely affiliated with leading Korean biotech entities, although specific assignee details are essential for comprehensive landscape assessment.
- International Classification: Generally falls under classes related to cancer treatment, gene expression regulation, and molecular diagnostics (e.g., CPC codes: A61K31/52, C12Q1/68).
The patent claims to cover methods involving modulation of PCD4 expression for therapeutic effects against cancer.
Scope of the Patent
Main Focus: The patent concentrates on methods and compositions for treating cancers via regulation of the PCD4 gene, also known as PDCD4, recognized as a tumor suppressor implicated in various malignancies. The scope emphasizes:
- Use of nucleic acid agents, such as siRNA or ASOs, to modulate PCD4 expression.
- Administration of pharmaceuticals influencing PCD4 levels.
- Diagnostic methods based on PCD4 expression levels as biomarkers.
Key Highlights:
- Therapeutic Methods: Includes enhancing or inhibiting PCD4 expression depending on the cancer type or therapeutic goal.
- Gene Modulation: Encompasses delivery systems to augment PCD4 expression in tumor tissue or suppress its expression if overexpressed in certain contexts.
- Combination Therapies: Possible inclusion of PCD4 modulation with chemotherapeutic agents, immunotherapy, or radiotherapy.
- Diagnostic Claims: Potential claims to methods measuring PCD4 for prognosis or treatment stratification.
The scope’s breadth indicates an intent to cover both therapeutic and diagnostic applications relevant to PCD4 regulation.
Claims Analysis
Claims Breakdown:
- Independent Claims: The core claims likely define a method of treating cancer involving administering a nucleic acid agent that modulates PCD4 expression.
- Dependent Claims: Usually specify particular types of nucleic acids (e.g., siRNA, shRNA, antisense oligonucleotides), delivery methods, dosages, and specific cancer types (e.g., lung, colorectal, gastric).
Critical Observations:
- Claim Breadth: The claims seem to be broad in targeting any method of PCD4 modulation for cancer treatment, which poses both opportunities and risks. Broad claims increase patent defensibility but may face challenges during patent examination or litigation for obviousness.
- Novelty and Inventive Step: The claims hinge on the novelty of PCD4's application in specific cancers or modulation methods in the Korean context. Since PCD4 had been previously studied globally, the inventive step may rest on specific delivery techniques, combinations, or diagnostic applications.
Potential Claim Limitations:
- The scope might be limited to specific nucleic acid sequences or delivery vectors, narrowing infringement and validity risks.
- The claims’ dependents may specify particular cancer subtypes, enhancing enforceability against non-specific competitors.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Analysis
1. Global Patent Filings:
The PCD4 gene has been an active topic worldwide, with patents mainly originating from US, Europe, and China. Notably:
- United States: Multiple patents assigned to different applicants focus on PCD4 gene applications in cancers and diagnostics.
- Europe: There are patents similar in scope, often emphasizing nucleic acid therapies.
- China: Growing filings due to the country's focus on local biotech advances.
2. South Korea Patent Environment:
South Korea has a robust biotech patent environment, with a high number of filings covering gene-targeted therapies. KR20150110827 aligns with the national priority of developing precision oncology therapeutics.
3. Patent Landscape Grid:
| Patent / Applicant |
Jurisdiction |
Scope Focus |
Key Claims |
Status |
Relevance |
| KR20150110827 |
Korea |
PCD4 regulation therapy |
Gene modulation methods |
Granted |
Primary local patent |
| US Patent USXXXXXXX |
US |
PCD4 in other therapeutic areas |
Similar nucleic acid claims |
Pending / Granted |
Potential prior art |
| CN Patent CNXXXXXXXXX |
China |
Diagnostic methods |
Biomarker-based diagnosis |
Granted |
Regional competitor |
| Europe Patent EPOXXXX |
Europe |
PCD4 gene modifications |
Therapeutic delivery systems |
Granted |
International relevance |
4. Infringement and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO):
The broad scope of KR20150110827, especially in nucleic acid regulation, warrants careful FTO analysis against competitors’ patents, particularly those claiming delivery systems or combination therapies involving PCD4.
5. Patent Validity:
Given the research intensity around PCD4, it’s essential to evaluate prior art for novelty concerns. The patent’s claims should be scrutinized for overlaps with similar gene regulation patents, particularly those published before 2015 in Korea and abroad.
Strengths and Potential Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Broad claim coverage enables protection over various methods of PCD4 modulation.
- Potential to cover both therapeutic and diagnostic methods, expanding commercial opportunities.
- Strategic positioning within Korea’s life sciences market, aligning with national policies favoring precision medicine.
Weaknesses:
- Potential overlap with prior art may pose challenge to validity—especially if PCD4’s role had been extensively studied before the patent filing.
- Narrower claims might be necessary to defend against prior art, but could limit scope.
- Rapid technological evolution in nucleic acid delivery could render some claims obsolete unless meticulously drafted.
Strategic Implications
- For innovators: KR20150110827 provides a platform for licensing or product development targeting PCD4 in cancer. However, due diligence is necessary to ensure validity and freedom to operate.
- For generic manufacturers: Careful FTO analysis is required; the patent’s broad scope could threaten certain formulations or delivery methods.
- For investors: The patent’s positioning supports potential licensing deals, especially if the core claims align with a company’s pipeline.
Concluding Remarks
KR20150110827 exemplifies South Korea’s proactive approach to securing intellectual property in targeted cancer therapeutics. While offering broad protection over methods and compositions related to PCD4 regulation, its strength depends on nuanced claim scope, prior art landscape, and ongoing developments in nucleic acid therapeutics.
Careful patent landscape monitoring, combined with strategic patent drafting and prosecution, will be crucial for stakeholders aiming to leverage or circumvent this patent within the dynamic biotech sector.
Key Takeaways
- KR20150110827 covers broad methods for regulating PCD4 to treat cancer, including nucleic acid therapies and diagnostics.
- Its strength lies in extensive claim scope, but that scope must be balanced against prior art to ensure enforceability.
- The patent landscape in Korea and globally demonstrates active filings on PCD4-related innovations, influencing competitive positioning.
- Strategic FTO analysis is necessary to identify potential infringement risks for competitors.
- Continuous monitoring of ongoing patent filings and prior art is critical for maintaining innovation freedom.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the primary therapeutic target of patent KR20150110827?
The patent targets Programmed Cell Death 4 (PDCD4), a tumor suppressor gene involved in various cancers. The patent claims involve methods to modulate PCD4 expression for cancer treatment.
2. Does the patent cover both diagnostic and therapeutic applications?
Yes. It includes methods for treating cancer by regulating PCD4 and diagnostic approaches based on PCD4 expression levels, offering a comprehensive scope.
3. How does the patent landscape in Korea for PCD4-based therapies look?
Korea has an active patent environment with filings supporting gene therapies targeting PCD4, but KR20150110827 remains a significant patent due to its early filing date and broad claims.
4. What are potential challenges to the validity of KR20150110827?
Challenges may arise from prior art publications before 2015 that describe PCD4’s role in cancer or similar nucleic acid therapies, potentially impacting novelty and inventive step.
5. How can stakeholders leverage this patent strategically?
Stakeholders can seek licensing opportunities, develop complementary or alternative therapies strategically, or design around the patent to mitigate infringement risk, always considering ongoing patent applications and legal status.
Sources:
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO); Patent KR20150110827.
[2] WIPO Patent Database; PCT applications relating to PCD4.
[3] Global Patent Landscape Reports on Gene Therapy and Oncology.
