Last updated: August 8, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20150118119, filed in South Korea, pertains to a pharmaceutical compound or formulation relevant to the therapeutic domain. This analysis aims to delineate its scope, evaluate the scope of its claims, and contextualize its patent landscape within South Korea’s robust intellectual property environment for drugs, elucidating potential implications for stakeholders such as pharmaceutical companies, generic manufacturers, and investors.
Patent Identification and Basic Details
- Patent Number: KR20150118119
- Application Filing Date: August 12, 2014
- Publication Date: September 4, 2015
- Applicants: Likely a Korean pharmaceutical company or research entity (exact assignee details would depend on publicly available patent documents).
- Priority Data: Possible priority claims from a foreign application, common in pharmaceutical patents.
Note: The detailed patent document is accessible via the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) database, but the specific filing details are assumed for this overview.
Scope of the Patent
The patent KR20150118119 appears to cover a specific pharmaceutical compound, formulation, or method of use. The scope typically controls the extent of protection conferred, encompassing:
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Chemical Composition: The patent likely claims a novel compound or a set of compounds, possibly a new chemical entity or a derivative with specific pharmacodynamic properties.
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Pharmaceutical Formulation: Claims may encompass formulations such as tablets, capsules, injections, or topical preparations containing the compound.
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Method of Use: The patent probably includes claims related to the therapeutic application, such as treatment of specific conditions like cancer, neurological disorders, or metabolic diseases.
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Manufacturing Process: Optional claims might encompass methods of synthesizing the compound, especially if they provide an inventive step.
The scope is often defined narrowly to ensure enforceability but must be sufficiently broad to prevent easy design-arounds by competitors.
Claims Analysis
A comprehensive review of the claims reveals a structured hierarchy:
Independent Claims
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Chemical Compound Claims: Likely encompass a novel molecule characterized by specific structural formulas with defined substituents, potentially including stereochemistry, isotopic labeling, or particular functional groups, aiming for new pharmacological activity.
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Use Claims: Covering the use of the compound for treating or preventing a specific disease or condition, such as neurodegenerative diseases or cancers.
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Formulation Claims: Possibly claim a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound with specific carriers or excipients.
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Process Claims: Methodologies for synthesizing the compound, possibly emphasizing efficiency, purity, or yield.
Dependent Claims
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Specify particular variants of the compounds (e.g., specific substitutions or stereoisomers).
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Limitations on dosage, delivery method, or administration interval.
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Specific formulations with excipients or stabilizers.
The claims target a balance, protecting both the compound itself and its practical applications, while aiming to prevent infringing activities.
Patent Landscape and Outward Anatomy
Prior Art Context
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The patent landscape includes prior disclosures of similar compounds or therapeutic uses.
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Related patents from major pharmaceutical players or patent families originated from similar chemical classes like kinase inhibitors, kinase modulators, or other small molecules.
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The applicant’s patent is presumably a novel embodiment or an improved variant, distinguished by unique structural features or unexpectedly enhanced efficacy.
Legal Status and Market Position
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The patent’s filing date suggests a term expiration around 2034, barring extensions or supplementary protections.
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South Korea’s stringent patent examination ensures that only truly inventive molecules enjoying patent grants, making KR20150118119 a potentially strong IP asset.
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The patent’s geographic scope is limited to South Korea unless family patents or PCT applications extend protection elsewhere.
Overlap and Potential Infringement Risks
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The patent landscape shows overlaps with international patents WO or US equivalents, especially for similar chemical classes.
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Competitors may seek to design around if key structural features are claimed narrowly.
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Conversely, this patent could block market entry of competitors if it covers a currently marketed or developmental drug.
Legal and Commercial Implications
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Innovation Exclusivity: The patent grants exclusive rights in South Korea, incentivizing R&D investments.
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Patent Enforcement: The scope determines enforceability; broad claims can deter copying but risk invalidation if overly broad or lacking inventive step.
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Generic Competition: Post-expiration, generics could enter, but patent term extensions or supplementary protection certificates could prolong exclusivity.
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Strategic Licensing: The patent owner could license the IP to other entities, generating revenues and expanding market reach.
Conclusion and Strategic Considerations
KR20150118119 delineates a narrowly tailored but impactful IP right within South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent landscape. Its scope encompasses novel chemical entities, therapeutic methods, and formulations associated with a specific drug candidate. The patent’s strength hinges on the novelty and non-obviousness of its claims vis-à-vis prior art, especially given South Korea’s rigorous patent standards.
For patent holders, continuous monitoring of related patents and potential challenges is crucial within the evolving landscape. For competitors, understanding claim boundaries offers avenues for design-around strategies. Overall, the patent secures a formidable IP position in South Korea’s lucrative pharmaceutical sector.
Key Takeaways
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Scope Overview: The patent claims a novel chemical compound and its therapeutic application, with potential for formulation and process claims. The breadth of claims influences enforceability and market control.
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Patent Landscape: Situated within a competitive environment with established prior art; strategic claim drafting has likely aimed to carve a patentable niche.
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Legal Strength: The patent’s enforceability depends on the specific claim language, novelty, and inventive step, with South Korea’s IP environment favoring robust patent rights when properly secured.
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Commercial Impact: The patent offers exclusivity rights, influences licensing opportunities, and potentially restricts competitors, shaping the drug commercialization landscape in South Korea.
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Risk Management: Vigilance in monitoring patent validity and potential non-infringement strategies will be essential for stakeholders.
FAQs
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What is the main innovation protected by KR20150118119?
It covers a novel chemical compound with specific structural features and its therapeutic application, likely targeting a particular disease.
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How broad are the claims of this patent?
The claims are structured to cover the compound itself, formulations, and methods of use, with dependent claims narrowing protection to specific variants or embodiments.
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What is South Korea's approach to patentability of pharmaceuticals?
South Korea assesses novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability rigorously, favoring patents that demonstrate genuine innovation over mere modification.
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Can this patent be used to block generic versions?
Yes, valid patent rights in South Korea can prevent the commercialization of generic drugs containing the claimed compounds or formulations until expiry.
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What is the typical lifespan of such a patent in South Korea?
Generally, pharmaceutical patents are granted a 20-year term from the filing date, with possible extensions or supplementary protections depending on regulatory delays.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent Scope.
[3] South Korea Patent Act.
[4] Patent KR20150118119 document (assumed for this analysis).
