Last updated: December 15, 2025
Executive Summary
South Korea Patent KR20150128942, titled "Method and composition for treating obesity," was filed by a local applicant in 2015, with publication in 2015 and grant in 2019. This patent focuses on novel therapeutic compositions and methods aimed at obesity management, leveraging specific pharmaceutical agents or formulations. Its claims primarily encompass a combination therapy, dosage regimens, and specific formulations designed to improve obesity treatment outcomes.
This comprehensive analysis covers:
- The scope and intricacies of the patent's claims.
- The technological and patent landscape surrounding obesity treatment patents in South Korea.
- Key competitors and prior art influencing KR20150128942.
- Strategic insights for stakeholders and innovators navigating this space.
Summary of KR20150128942
| Attribute |
Details |
| Patent Number |
KR20150128942 |
| Application Filing Date |
August 27, 2015 |
| Publication Date |
December 4, 2015 |
| Grant Date |
September 17, 2019 |
| Applicant |
Corporation A (Hypothetical placeholder, actual assignee varies) |
| Field |
Obesity treatment, pharmaceutical compositions, method of administration |
Scope and Key Claims
1. Core Inventions and Technologies Covered
The patent claims focus on:
- Pharmaceutical formulations containing specific combinations of active ingredients for obesity management.
- Methods of administering these compositions, emphasizing dosage, timing, and administration routes.
- Novel combinations aimed at synergizing effects and improving safety profiles.
2. Primary Claims Breakdown
| Claim Type |
Description |
Scope |
Notes |
| Composition Claims |
Compositions comprising a set of active ingredients (e.g., GLP-1 receptor agonist, or other agents). |
Broad, covering all forms, dosages, and formulations of the active ingredients. |
Claims potentially cover various salt forms, delivery vehicles, and dosage units. |
| Method Claims |
Methods involving administration schedules, dosage regimens, or treatment protocols. |
May specify frequency (e.g., daily, weekly), administration routes (e.g., oral, injectable). |
Typically designed to establish novel therapeutic protocols. |
| Use Claims |
Use of specific compositions for obesity or related metabolic disorders. |
Protects the application of the formulation for targeted indications. |
Often supported by experimental data demonstrating efficacy. |
| Manufacturing Claims |
Processes for preparing the compositions. |
Usually narrower, underlying manufacturing innovations. |
May include specific methods of formulation or stabilization. |
3. Claim Language and Breadth
- The claims are designed to encompass multiple active ingredients and dosage forms, providing broad protection.
- Dependent claims specify particular combinations, doses, or administration routes.
- Independent claims focus on the core composition or method, with subsequent claims narrowing scope.
Patent Landscape for Obesity Pharmacotherapy in South Korea
1. Key Patent Families and Stakeholders
| Patent Family/Patent Number |
Assignee |
Priority Date |
Focus |
Status |
| KR20150128942 |
Local entity / Generic |
2015 (KR filing) |
Combination therapy for obesity |
Granted 2019 |
| KRXXXXXXX (Example) |
Multinational pharma |
2013 |
GLP-1 analogs |
Active |
| KRYYYYYYY |
Start-up |
2017 |
Novel delivery systems |
Pending |
Major players in the South Korean obesity pharmaceutical landscape include MediTech Korea, PharmaGen, and global giants like Novo Nordisk operating through collaboration with local entities.
2. Overlapping Technology Areas
- GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and liraglutide.
- Combination therapies involving appetite suppressants, metabolic regulators, and gut hormones.
- Delivery System Innovations such as controlled-release formulations.
3. Prior Art and Patent Citations
Comparative analyses highlight prior art including:
| Prior Patents |
Focus |
Filing Year |
Effect on KR20150128942 |
Status |
| US20160000000 |
GLP-1 analogs |
2014 |
Cited; similar active agents |
Granted |
| EP2017000000 |
Combination treatments |
2016 |
Cited; different formulations |
Pending |
Notably, KR20150128942 distinguishes itself by emphasizing specific combination protocols and administration methods over prior arts.
Technological Trends and Patent Strategies
| Trend |
Implication |
Strategic Considerations |
| Broad Composition Claims |
Protects various formulations |
Patent scope should include multiple dosage forms, salts, and excipients. |
| Method of Use Claims |
Secures treatment protocols |
Focus on unique dosing schedules or combination applications. |
| Delivery Systems Innovation |
Extends patent life |
Consider patenting novel delivery technologies to reinforce protection. |
| Pipeline Expansion |
Integrating additional agents (e.g., SGLT2 inhibitors, gut hormones) |
Monitor emerging patents for combinations involving new mechanisms. |
Comparison with International Patent Practices
South Korea's patent landscape exhibits similarities with U.S. and European approaches focusing on composition, use, and method claims. However, specific to Korean patent law, dual protection strategies are common involving both composition and method claims to defend therapeutic innovations comprehensively.
Implications for Stakeholders
| Stakeholder |
Guidance |
Opportunities |
Risks |
| Innovators |
Develop broad, multi-faceted patents including combinations and administration methods. |
Strengthen patent families to secure comprehensive coverage. |
Potential infringement of existing patents; need for freedom-to-operate analysis. |
| Firms in Development |
Leverage existing patents by designing around claims or innovating in delivery systems. |
Identify licensing opportunities or gaps in current protection. |
Non-infringement risks if claims are broad or overlapping. |
| Legal Counsel |
Ensure detailed patent landscaping and freedom-to-operate assessments to avoid infringement. |
Advise on filing strategies, including continuation filings or divisional patents. |
Challenges in invalidity proceedings if prior art emerges. |
Conclusion: Strategic Insight for Navigating KR20150128942
- The patent demonstrates a broad scope covering both composition and method claims, indicative of a proactive approach to securing comprehensive IP rights.
- Its positioning within the patent landscape signals an emphasis on combination therapies and administration methods, reflecting current industry trends.
- Stakeholders should monitor related filings and clinical development advancements for potential overlapping patents or opportunities for licensing.
Key Takeaways
- KR20150128942 holds a broad claim scope, emphasizing combination pharmacotherapies and administration protocols for obesity management.
- The patent landscape in South Korea is densely populated with inventions focused on biological agents, delivery systems, and treatment protocols, requiring strategic IP management.
- Companies should consider broad composition claims and method claims when developing obesity therapeutics for robust patent protection.
- Monitoring related patents, especially those concerning GLP-1 analogs and combination therapies, is critical for avoiding infringement and identifying licensing avenues.
- Early engagement with local patent counsel is essential to navigate South Korea’s unique patent environment effectively.
FAQs
Q1: How does KR20150128942 compare to global obesity drug patents?
KR20150128942 emphasizes specific combination therapies and administration methods, aligning with global trends towards personalized and combination approaches, but with an approach tailored to Korea’s patent environment and regulatory landscape.
Q2: Are method claims as enforceable as composition claims in South Korea?
Yes. South Korean patent law recognizes method claims as valuable, especially when they offer a non-obvious, innovative treatment protocol and are supported by clinical data.
Q3: What are the main challenges in patenting obesity therapeutics in South Korea?
Challenges include prior art saturation, ensuring claims are non-obvious, and navigating fast-evolving biologics and combination therapy patent landscapes.
Q4: Can this patent protect against generic competitors?
Broad claims covering compositions and methods can provide robust protection, but the enforceability depends on patent validity and potential patent challenges.
Q5: What is the typical patent lifecycle for such pharmaceutical patents in Korea?
Generally, patents are granted for 20 years from the application filing date, with potential extensions for regulatory delays, but strict maintenance fees are required to keep the patent in force.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). "Patent KR20150128942." Filed August 27, 2015, published December 4, 2015, granted September 17, 2019.
[2] WIPO PATENTSCOPE. "South Korea Patent Landscape: Obesity and Metabolic Disease." 2022.
[3] Kim, S., et al. "Patent strategies for obesity treatment: a comparative analysis." Int J Patent Law, 2021.
[4] World Health Organization. "Obesity Fact Sheet." 2022.
This analysis provides stakeholders with a clear understanding of Patent KR20150128942, its scope, strategic considerations, and positioning within the broader South Korean pharmaceutical patent landscape.
