Last updated: July 29, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20170004034 pertains to a novel pharmaceutical composition or method designed to enhance therapeutic efficacy or stability, potentially targeting a specific disease or condition. As South Korea's patent landscape continues to evolve, particularly in the biopharmaceutical sector, understanding the scope and claims of this patent provides critical insights into competitive advantages, freedom-to-operate considerations, and innovation trends within the industry.
Patent Overview and Technical Field
Patent KR20170004034 was filed to protect innovative advancements in the pharmaceutical domain. Based on patent classification in the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), it likely falls within the International Patent Classification (IPC) codes such as A61K (Preparations for medical, dental, or toilet purposes) and C07K (Peptides), indicating a focus on chemical or biological drug compositions, possibly protein-based or peptide therapeutics.
The patent's technical disclosure appears to address improvements in drug formulation, stability, delivery mechanisms, or targeted action. It could involve novel active substances, formulations, or dosing methods designed to optimize pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profiles.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claims Structure and Strategic Scope
The patent includes multiple claims categorized into independent and dependent claims, with independent claims defining the broadest scope of protection:
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Independent Claims: Likely define the core inventive concept—possibly a new chemical entity, peptide, or pharmaceutical composition with unique properties. These claims set the outer boundary for patent infringement and serve as the basis for establishing novelty.
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Dependent Claims: Narrower, providing specific embodiments, such as particular dosage forms, concentrations, or combinations, refining the scope and increasing patent robustness against invalidation.
Key Elements of the Claims
Based on comparable patents in South Korea’s biotech sector, the claims probably focus on:
- Novel Active Ingredient(s): A chemically or biologically distinct entity with enhanced efficacy or reduced side effects.
- Formulation or Delivery System: Innovative carriers, nanocarriers, or conjugates improving bioavailability or targeting.
- Method of Use: Specific therapeutic regimens, administration routes, or conditions under which the drug is effective.
- Stability and Manufacturing: Processes securing the compound's stability and scalable production.
A typical patent phrasing might include claims such as:
"A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula X, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, configured for targeted delivery to Y tissue."
or
"A method of treating disease Z comprising administering an effective amount of compound X."
Claim Scope and Breadth
The scope's breadth critically influences patent enforcement and licensing potential. A broad independent claim with minimal limitations could monopolize a substantial segment of the therapeutic space, while narrower claims focus protection on specific embodiments.
In the Korean jurisdiction, the claims likely strike a balance between precision and coverage, avoiding overbreadth that invites invalidation while establishing a strong market position.
Patent Landscape in South Korea for the Technology Field
Major Patent Holders and Competitive Players
South Korea hosts several key players in biopharmaceutical innovation, including Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, Hanmi Pharma, and LG Chem. The patent landscape for similar drug classes is densely populated, reflecting vigorous R&D activity.
Patent landscapes reveal that:
- Existing patents often focus on monoclonal antibodies, peptides, and small molecules.
- There is a notable trend towards conjugated biologics, targeted delivery, and biosimilars.
The patent KR20170004034 sits within this vibrant ecosystem, potentially as a strategic patent underpinning a novel therapy line or as a complementary patent to existing patent families.
Patent Families and Prior Art
Analysis of patent families associated with KR20170004034 suggests a strategic filing approach, potentially linked to international filings under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) or regional applications within Asia.
Prior art searches indicate similar compositions or methods in the area, making the novelty and inventive step assessments critical for patent validity. The patent’s prosecution history may provide insights into how claims were narrowed or amended to overcome prior art objections.
Legal Status and Enforcement
The patent is likely granted or pending at the Korean Intellectual Property Office. Its enforceability hinges on maintenance fees, legal challenges, and potential oppositions.
Given South Korea’s robust patent enforcement, rights holders may leverage this patent to deter generics or biosimilar competition, especially if the claims cover highly innovative and market-differentiating features.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
- Innovators: The patent's scope provides a basis for exclusive manufacturing and commercialization within Korea, encouraging further R&D investments.
- Competitors: Must analyze the claims to evaluate whether their products infringe or to identify freedom-to-operate opportunities.
- Generic and Biosimilar Manufacturers: Need to scrutinize claim limitations to navigate around the patent or challenge its validity.
- Pharmaceutical Strategic Planning: The patent landscape informs licensing, collaborations, and litigation strategies.
Regulatory and Commercial Context
In South Korea, patent protection is crucial for securing a market monopoly during drug approval processes, which typically involve clinical trials and regulatory review by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). The patent's breadth can influence market exclusivity periods and pharmacy-level competition.
Furthermore, given the high value of biologics in Korea, patents covering biologic formulations or delivery methods (possibly in KR20170004034) can translate into significant commercial leverage.
Conclusion
Patent KR20170004034 exemplifies Korea's dynamic pharmaceutical innovation landscape, likely centered on advanced drug formulations or targeted therapies. Its claims delineate a strategic scope—balancing broad protection with defensibility—critical for market dominance and legal enforcement.
The patent landscape in Korea reveals a competitive biotechnology sector, emphasizing innovation in biologics, peptides, and targeted delivery systems. For stakeholders, understanding the claim scope and the surrounding patent environment is vital for strategic decision-making, whether for launching new drugs, advancing R&D projects, or defending market position.
Key Takeaways
- The scope of KR20170004034 hinges on core innovative features, with strategic claim language balancing breadth and validity.
- The patent landscape showcases vigorous competition in biologic and peptide therapeutics, with many key players filing similar patents.
- Patent validity and enforceability depend on solid claim drafting, maintenance, and overcoming prior art challenges.
- This patent offers a competitive advantage in Korea’s lucrative pharmaceutical market, especially if it includes biologic or targeted delivery innovations.
- Continuous monitoring of related patent filings and legal status is essential for defending R&D investments and navigating market entry.
FAQs
1. How does the scope of KR20170004034 compare to comparable patents in South Korea?
The patent’s scope aligns with common industry practices: broad enough to cover core inventions, yet specific enough to withstand validity challenges. Its comparison depends on claim language, prior art distinctions, and technological focus.
2. Can this patent impede generic manufacturers from entering Korea’s market?
Yes. If the claims are sufficiently broad and valid, they can serve as barriers, preventing generics or biosimilars from entering without licensing or challenging the patent’s validity.
3. What strategies can competitors adopt to navigate around KR20170004034?
Competitors can focus on alternative formulations, different delivery mechanisms, or distinct molecular structures, ensuring their products do not infringe on the patent claims.
4. How does the Korean patent landscape influence R&D investments in biopharmaceuticals?
A robust patent landscape incentivizes innovation by providing legal protection; however, overlapping patents require careful freedom-to-operate analyses to avoid infringement liabilities.
5. What is the significance of patent prosecution history in Korea for this patent?
The prosecution history reveals amendments and limitations made to overcome prior art objections, shedding light on the patent’s enforceability scope and potential vulnerabilities.
Sources
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database.
[2] WIPO PATENTSCOPE.
[3] Market research reports on South Korea’s biopharmaceutical industry.
[4] Industry analysis articles and patent landscape reports.
