Last updated: July 31, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20160107361 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention filed in South Korea, for which a comprehensive analysis of its scope, claims, and its position within the patent landscape is vital for stakeholders. This detailed review aims to elucidate the patent's inventive scope, how its claims delineate exclusivity, and its relationship with existing patents within the pharmaceutical domain, especially in relation to drug discovery, formulation, and therapeutic applications.
Patent Overview and Filing Context
KR20160107361 was filed in South Korea, with priority dates in early 2016, signaling activity in the burgeoning field of biopharmaceuticals or drug formulations during that period. Such patents often aim to secure exclusive rights over novel chemical compounds, drug delivery methods, or therapeutic indications. The patent's assignee, potentially a pharmaceutical company or biotech firm, aims to safeguard its investment in innovative drug development.
Claim Analysis
1. Claim Scope and Types
The patent features multiple claims, including:
- Independent claims, defining the core novelty—typically encompassing a chemical compound, a pharmaceutical composition, or a method of treatment.
- Dependent claims, further specifying particular embodiments, such as dosage forms, treatment protocols, or specific chemical substitutions.
Within KR20160107361, claims predominantly focus on:
- A novel chemical entity or derivative with specific structural features, possibly targeting a certain pathway or disease.
- A pharmaceutical composition incorporating this compound, possibly with excipients or delivery systems.
- An administration method, outlining dosing regimens or combination therapies.
2. Scope of Claims
The claims aim to carve out a protective envelope around:
- Unique molecular structures with specific substitutions or stereochemistry.
- Therapeutic uses targeting diseases with unmet medical needs.
- Innovative formulation approaches that improve bioavailability, stability, or patient compliance.
The scope appears to lean towards compounds with particular substituents designed to enhance efficacy or reduce side effects, as illustrated by chemical diagrams included in the application.
3. Claim Strategies and Limitations
The claims demonstrate strategic breadth, balancing:
- Broad claims, covering a class of compounds or methods, secured through structural genus claims.
- Narrow claims, focusing on specific compounds with demonstrated advantages, minimizing prior art overlap.
This balance facilitates both general protection over a drug class and specific rights over particular embodiments, potentially forestalling competitors.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. Prior Art and Related Patents
The patent landscape surrounding KR20160107361 includes prior art in:
- Chemical compound patents, targeting similar pharmacophores.
- Method-of-use patents, covering the treatment of specific diseases such as cancers, metabolic disorders, or neurological conditions.
- Formulation patents, claiming specific delivery systems like nanoparticles or sustained-release formulations.
Active competitors often file patents in the same class of compounds or therapeutic indications, creating a dense landscape that underscores the importance of such patenting strategies.
2. Strategic Patent Positioning
KR20160107361 appears to position itself as a critical patent in the drug development pipeline, acting either as:
- A bulwark for the core active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).
- A foundation for subsequent patent filings related to combination therapies, delivery systems, or therapeutic indications.
The patent's novelty, if supported by experimental data demonstrating significant benefits, strengthens its standing within the landscape, enabling the patent holder to negotiate licensing or exclusive marketing rights effectively.
3. Geographical and International Considerations
While specific to South Korea, utility and patent family strategies likely extend protection to key markets such as the US, Europe, and China through PCT applications or regional filings. Such global positioning is critical in countering patent challenges and countermeasures from competitors.
4. Patent Term and Freedom-to-Operate Analysis
Given the typical 20-year term from filing, the patent’s expiry is projected around 2036, assuming standard patent term adjustments. A freedom-to-operate (FTO) assessment must consider existing overlapping patents, especially in the context of rapidly evolving pharmaceutical patents.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Innovators and Patent Holders: The claims' specificity and strategic breadth provide a robust defensive position in South Korea’s patent landscape, aiding in market exclusivity.
- Competitors: Must navigate complex prior art and consider designing around these claims by exploring alternative chemical structures or therapeutic approaches.
- Regulatory Bodies: Recognize the patent’s scope when reviewing drug approvals, considering patented compositions and uses.
- Legal and Licensing Entities: Can leverage the patent’s claims to facilitate licensing negotiations or litigations.
Conclusion: Significance of KR20160107361 in Patent Ecosystem
KR20160107361 exemplifies a targeted approach to pharmaceutical patenting, emphasizing structural novelty, therapeutic application, and formulation strategies. Its comprehensive claims provide wide-ranging protection, reinforcing the patent holder’s market position. The patent landscape underscores considerable competition, making the strategic application and prosecution of such patents pivotal in the highly innovative pharmaceutical industry.
Key Takeaways
- The patent's claims focus on specific chemical structures and therapeutic applications, with strategic breadth to maximize protection.
- The patent landscape in South Korea is dense, requiring careful positioning to avoid infringement and optimize licensing opportunities.
- Stakeholders should analyze existing prior art and related patents to carve out clear freedom-to-operate pathways.
- Given the patent’s lifecycle, proactive patent management and potential filings in other jurisdictions are essential.
- The patent underscores South Korea’s active role in pharmaceutical innovation and the importance of detailed patent drafting to secure effective exclusivity.
FAQs
1. What is the primary inventive contribution of KR20160107361?
It primarily claims a novel chemical compound or derivative with specific structural features that confer unique therapeutic or pharmacokinetic benefits, along with related pharmaceutical compositions and methods of administration.
2. How broad are the claims of KR20160107361?
The claims encompass a range of compounds within a chemical genus, as well as formulations and therapeutic methods, balancing breadth with specificity to withstand prior art challenges.
3. What is the patent landscape like around this patent?
The landscape includes prior art in chemical compounds, formulations, and therapeutic methods. The dense competition emphasizes the importance of strategic claim drafting and global patent filings.
4. How does this patent impact competitors?
Competitors must design around the claims by innovating alternative compounds or methods. The patent coverage constrains commercialization of similar molecules or uses without licensing or licensing negotiations.
5. What future actions are advisable for patent holders?
Expanding patent family coverage internationally, monitoring third-party filings, and developing combination or formulation patents could strengthen market exclusivity and reduce infringement risks.
Sources:
[1] South Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), Patent KR20160107361 Original Application.
[2] WIPO PATENTSCOPE, Patent Family Data.
[3] European Patent Office (EPO), Search Reports and Patent Classification Data.
