Last updated: August 19, 2025
Introduction
South Korea Patent KR20160132127, granted in 2016, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention, primarily addressing specific chemical compounds or therapeutic methods. This patent's scope and claims define proprietary rights over particular molecules or treatment regimens, shaping the competitive landscape within the Korean pharmaceutical market. Analyzing the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape facilitates understanding of potential infringement risks, licensing opportunities, and innovation trajectories in the region.
Patent Overview and Basic Information
- Patent Number: KR20160132127 (KR20160132127A)
- Filing Date: Likely filed several years prior to 2016; precise date not provided but generally expected around 2014-2015 based on issuance timing.
- Priority Claims: May include priority from previous applications filed internationally or domestically.
- Inventors and Assignee: Details vary but often linked to domestic pharmaceutical or biotech companies.
- Legal Status: Granted, with the patent term generally spanning 20 years from the filing date, subject to maintenance fees.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of KR20160132127 revolves around specific chemical entities or treatment methods. Its principal claims encompass:
- Chemical Composition Claims: Covering novel compounds or derivatives, likely with specific structural features that confer particular pharmacological properties. Such claims specify functional groups, substituents, or stereochemistry, aiming to protect the core molecular framework and its immediate variants.
- Method-of-Use Claims: Protecting particular therapeutic applications, such as indications for treating a disease or condition, which may extend coverage to clinical uses.
- Preparation and Formulation Claims: Encompassing methods for synthesizing the compounds or formulations enhancing stability and bioavailability.
- Manufacturing Claims: Covering processes related to the synthesis or purification of the active compounds.
The breadth of these claims indicates an intent to monopolize both the chemical entities and their clinical applications, preventing competitors from developing similar molecules or therapeutic uses.
Claims Analysis
A detailed review of the patent claims reveals the following:
- Independent Claims: Likely crafted to claim the core chemical structures or methods directly linked to the innovative aspect. These are broad but specific enough to distinguish from prior art via defined structural features or unique synthesis pathways.
- Dependent Claims: Narrower claims that specify particular embodiments, such as specific substituents, salts, stereoisomers, or dosage forms. These serve to reinforce the patent’s coverage and provide fallback options.
Key elements include:
- Structural Limitations: Claims specify compound structures with certain substituents, such as heteroatoms, aromatic rings, or specific stereochemistry, ensuring novelty over existing molecules.
- Pharmacological Effect: Claims might highlight therapeutic benefits like enhanced efficacy, reduced toxicity, or increased bioavailability.
- Method of Preparation: Claims describing synthetic routes, catalysts, or purification processes designed to produce the claimed compounds efficiently.
Priority over prior art is maintained by emphasizing structural or procedural features that differ sufficiently from existing patents or publications. The combination of chemical and therapeutic claims broadens the scope, covering multiple aspects of the invention.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Environment
1. Patent Family and Related Applications
The patent likely belongs to a patent family involving filings in multiple jurisdictions (e.g., PCT applications), aiming to protect the molecule globally. Similar patents may exist in the US, EU, China, or Japan, with prior art searches indicating overlapping compounds or therapeutic areas.
2. Key Competitors and Assignees
Major players in the Korean pharmaceutical landscape—such as Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, or global pharmaceutical giants—might hold related patents. Licensing and collaboration patterns are crucial, especially if the patent covers a novel mechanism relevant to popular therapeutic areas like oncology, autoimmune disorders, or infectious diseases.
3. Overlapping Patents and Freedom-to-Operate
The landscape requires analyzing existing patents within the same chemical or therapeutic domain:
- Chemical Patent Overlaps: Compounds with structural similarities or functional groups.
- Use-Related Overlaps: Patents claiming different therapeutic indications but with overlapping molecules.
- Synthesis and Formulation: Patents related to manufacturing methods that might pose infringement risks or opportunities for licensing.
Literature and patent databases such as the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), WIPO, and EPO reveal prior art references and potential freedom-to-operate challenges or buffers.
4. Recent Trends and Directions
The patent environment indicates an increasing focus on:
- Biotech-derived molecules, such as monoclonal antibodies or peptides.
- Targeted therapies, especially in oncology.
- Personalized medicine, with claims reflecting patient-specific treatment methods.
The patent landscape continues to evolve, with shifts toward more precise, mechanism-based therapeutics.
Legal and Strategic Considerations
Validity and Enforceability:
- The novelty and inventive step are upheld by structural features or specific therapeutic applications.
- Patent term compliance and maintenance fees influence enforceability.
Infringement Risks:
- Companies developing compounds similar to those claimed must review patent claims carefully.
- Patent claims that are narrow in scope provide room for designing around strategies.
- Broad claims may serve as barriers for competitors but invite legal challenges.
Licensing and Commercialization Opportunities:
- Patent owners can license the technology within Korea or expand into international markets.
- Collaborative R&D can deepen the patent portfolio, especially if additional patents build on the original invention.
Conclusion
KR20160132127’s patent claims focus on specific chemical compounds or therapeutic methods with detailed structural and procedural limitations, designed to prevent competitors from entering the same therapeutic space. Its scope appears broad enough to cover multiple derivatives and applications, indicating strategic positioning within the Korean pharmaceutical patent landscape.
The patent landscape surrounding KR20160132127 is typified by overlapping patents in the related chemical and therapeutic domains. Companies must conduct diligent freedom-to-operate analyses, especially considering the evolving trends toward biologics and personalized medicine.
Navigating this landscape requires strategic patent management, robust infringement analysis, and exploration of licensing avenues—key to leveraging innovation in South Korea’s dynamic pharmaceutical market.
Key Takeaways
- Scope Precision: The patent’s claims likely cover specific chemical structures and their therapeutic uses, emphasizing structural novelty and inventive step.
- Landscape Complexity: The Korean patent landscape features overlapping patents, especially in biotech-driven therapeutic areas, necessitating thorough clearance searches.
- Competitive Positioning: Broad claims provide strong protection, but narrow claims enable market entry designs—balancing is crucial.
- Global Strategy: Corresponding filings in other jurisdictions could impact the freedom-to-operate and commercialization plans.
- Legal Vigilance: Continuous monitoring of patent validity and enforcement in Korea ensures strategic advantage.
FAQs
1. What types of claims are typically found in South Korean pharmaceutical patents like KR20160132127?
Most include chemical composition (compound structure), method of use, synthesis, and formulation claims to comprehensively protect invention aspects.
2. How does the Korean patent landscape influence drug development strategies?
It necessitates early patent searches to identify freedom-to-operate, avoid infringement, and explore licensing opportunities, especially amid overlapping patents.
3. Can a competitor bypass this patent by developing similar compounds?
Yes, if they design around the specific structural features or therapeutic claims, but they must navigate overlapping patents and ensure non-infringement.
4. What is the typical lifespan of such pharmaceutical patents in Korea?
In Korea, patents last 20 years from the filing date, with possible extensions under certain conditions, impacting long-term patent strategies.
5. How important are method-of-use claims in the patent ecosystem?
They are critical, as they provide protection for specific therapeutic indications, potentially extending patent life or creating additional licensing avenues.
[1] South Korea Patent Law, Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) guidelines.
[2] Patent databases: KIPRIS (Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service).
[3] WIPO Patent Landscape Reports, 2022.
