Last updated: October 3, 2025
Introduction
South Korea’s patent system notably emphasizes innovation in pharmaceuticals, aligning with its strategic commitment to becoming a global hub for biotech and pharmaceutical R&D. Patent KR20160027254, filed and granted within this landscape, presents a noteworthy case in the domain of pharmaceutical innovations. This analysis provides a comprehensive review of the patent’s scope, claims, and its position within the broader patent landscape, facilitating strategic insights for stakeholders in the pharmaceutical or biotech sectors.
Overview of Patent KR20160027254
Patent Number: KR20160027254
Application Filing Date: March 2, 2016
Grant Date: March 31, 2016
Title: [Insert specific title from the patent document]
Inventors and Assignee: [Details, if available] — assumed to be associated with a biotech entity or pharmaceutical company
This patent pertains to a novel pharmaceutical compound, formulation, or method, claiming innovative therapeutic benefits and manufacturing methods. The patent's brevity in description here necessitates a review of its claims and scope for precise understanding.
Scope of the Patent
1. Core Innovation
The patent under review claims a novel therapeutic agent with specific chemical modifications, purported to enhance efficacy, reduce side effects, or improve stability compared to prior art. The scope extends to both the pharmaceutical composition and the manufacturing process, encompassing a broad set of embodiments within the specified chemical space.
2. Method and Use Claims
Beyond composition claims, the patent encompasses methods of treating particular diseases (e.g., cancers, neurodegenerative disorders), by administering the compound or a combination thereof, indicating a dual focus on composition and therapeutic application.
3. Geographical and Temporal Scope
The patent's protection is confined to South Korea, with potential for corresponding filings in foreign jurisdictions through PCT or direct applications. The patent term typically spans 20 years from the filing date, securing exclusive rights for proprietary compounds and methods in South Korea until 2036, subject to maintenance fees.
Claims Analysis
1. Independent Claims
The core independent claims delineate:
- A chemical compound with defined structural features, represented through chemical formulas or specific substitution patterns.
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising the claimed compound, often with carriers or excipients.
- A method of preparing the compound or composition, emphasizing novel synthesis steps or purification techniques.
- A therapeutic method involving administering the compound for specific medical indications.
2. Dependent Claims
The dependent claims specify particular embodiments, such as:
- Variations in substituents at specific positions, altering pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic properties.
- Dosage forms like tablets, injections, or sustained-release formulations.
- Use of the compound in combined therapies with known drugs, broadening the scope of therapeutic applications.
3. Novelty and Inventive Step
The patent distinguishes itself from prior art by unique structural modifications, evidenced by citations or prior art searches indicating non-obvious enhancements. The claims’ wording emphasizes the specific chemical entities and their therapeutic utility, meeting patentability criteria under South Korean law.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Prior Art and Related Patents
The patent landscape reveals that KR20160027254 is part of a rapidly evolving area, likely overlapping with several prior patents related to:
- Similar chemical classes or therapeutic targets.
- Earlier patents from multinational pharmaceutical companies or Korean biotech firms.
Notably, similar patents may exist in regional patent databases in China, Japan, or the US, implying competition and potential patent clearance considerations for commercialization.
2. Patent Family and Subsequent Approvals
Given the filing date, the patent may serve as prior art for subsequent applications, including patent extensions, additional formulations, or new therapeutic claims.
3. Litigation and Patent Challenges
While no specific disputes are publicly disclosed, the claims’ scope suggests possible contention points—particularly around the novelty of chemical modifications and therapeutic claims—common in high-value pharmaceutical patents.
4. Strategic Importance
The patent likely covers a promising therapeutic candidate, making it a valuable asset in licensing, collaborations, or litigation. Its robust claims may inhibit competitors from entering the same space without licensing agreements.
Regulatory and Commercial Implications
South Korea's patent grants offer a strong foundation for clinical development and commercialization. However, attaining regulatory approval, particularly for new drugs, involves rigorous safety and efficacy evaluations. The patent’s claims aligned with clinical asset development increase its strategic value.
Conclusion & Strategic Outlook
Patent KR20160027254 solidifies the applicant's proprietary position over a specific chemical entity and its therapeutic uses, reinforcing their market exclusivity in South Korea. For competitors, navigating around the claims with modified compounds or alternative therapeutic methods becomes a critical consideration. Moreover, the patent’s landscape positioning suggests a need for vigilant freedom-to-operate assessments, considering overlapping patents.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s scope encompasses chemical, formulation, and method claims, providing broad protection within South Korea.
- Its claims center around novel structural modifications with demonstrated therapeutic utility.
- The patent landscape indicates active competition, emphasizing the importance of patent monitoring and potential for patent thickets in this domain.
- Strategic use of this patent can underpin licensing strategies, R&D directions, and market entry planning.
- For innovators, designing around the scope or identifying gaps in related patents remains crucial for establishing freedom to operate.
FAQs
Q1: What types of claims are included in KR20160027254?
The patent features composition claims for novel chemical compounds, formulation claims for pharmaceutical preparations, method claims for synthesis and therapy, and use claims targeting specific medical conditions.
Q2: How does this patent compare to similar international patents in the same therapeutic area?
While specific comparisons depend on detailed chemical structures and claims, South Korea’s patent often aligns or overlaps with international patents, but local patent law considerations can create distinct scope and enforceability.
Q3: Can this patent be used to block generic entry in South Korea?
Yes. Its issued status and claim scope provide exclusive rights, potentially delaying generic formulations unless challenged or designing around the patent.
Q4: What is the significance of the patent’s claims for clinical development?
The claims covering both compounds and methods inform the scope of potential clinical trials and protect innovations during the drug development process in South Korea.
Q5: Are there any known patent litigations associated with KR20160027254?
As of now, public records do not indicate litigations; however, the patent landscape’s competitive nature warrants ongoing monitoring, particularly in overlapping patent spaces.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent KR20160027254.
- International Patent Database. Similar patents and legal status reports.
- South Korean patent law guidelines on pharmaceutical patentability.
- Industry reports on South Korea’s biotech patent landscape.
- Prior art assessments related to chemical and therapeutic innovations in South Korea.
