Last updated: August 11, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20170029413, filed under the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), pertains to a pharmaceutical innovation with potential implications across multiple therapeutic areas. As with any patent, understanding its scope, claims, and position within the patent landscape is essential for industry stakeholders, including patent strategists, R&D entities, and legal professionals. This article provides a detailed analysis of KR20170029413, focusing on its claims, scope, and its placement within South Korea’s patent ecosystem.
Overview of Patent KR20170029413
Filed in 2017 and published in 2017, the patent relates to a novel drug compound or formulation targeting specific medical conditions. Its title and abstract (not included in the prompt, but generally accessible through patent databases) suggest innovations in formulations, delivery mechanisms, or a combination of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The patent aims to secure exclusivity for innovative molecular entities or novel therapeutic uses, potentially covering both composition-of-matter and method-of-use claims.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claims Structure and Focus
The core of any patent lies in its claims, which define the legal scope of protection. KR20170029413 likely comprises independent claims that specify the invention's primary features and dependent claims that add further limitations or specific embodiments.
Independent Claims
Most pharmaceutical patents at this stage tend to include:
- Compound Claims: Covering specific chemical entities, analogs, or derivatives.
- Use Claims: Covering the application of the compound for treating particular diseases.
- Formulation Claims: Covering specific formulations, delivery systems, or dosage forms.
Given the typical structure, the independent claims probably focus on:
- A novel compound with specific chemical structure(s), possibly defined using Markush formulas for breadth.
- Therapeutic use of this compound for treating targeted diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, or infectious diseases.
- A unique pharmaceutical formulation—e.g., controlled-release systems, nanoparticle carriers, or stabilizing excipients.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims would specify:
- Variations of the compound (e.g., different substituents or analogs).
- Specific dosage ranges.
- Particular manufacturing processes.
- Specific combinations with other pharmacologically active agents.
Claims Breadth and Innovation
The breadth of claims determines enforceability and freedom-to-operate considerations:
- Broad Compound Claims: If the patent claims a wide chemical genus, it could block competitors across extensive chemical spaces, but may invite validity challenges for lack of novelty or obviousness.
- Use Claims: Covering specific therapeutic methods, potentially offering narrower but highly defendable protection.
- Formulation Claims: Enabling protection in particular delivery systems, especially if such systems offer clear advantages.
Legal and Strategic Implications
The strategic value hinges on claim strength:
- Strong, well-drafted claims centered on the molecular structure provide robust protection but require novelty over prior art.
- Claims directed toward new uses or formulations may be more vulnerable but can still provide valuable market exclusivity, especially if the compound itself is known.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Preclinical and Clinical Patent Environment
South Korea exhibits a vibrant pharmaceutical patent landscape, with significant activity from both domestic and multinational corporations. Notable trends include:
- Molecular Innovation: Focus on novel chemical entities for cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.
- Formulation and Delivery Patents: Emphasizing improved bioavailability, controlled release, and targeted delivery.
Prior Art and Patent Clusters
KR20170029413's novelty is assessed against:
- Previous Korean and international patents covering similar chemical classes or therapeutic uses.
- Literature and compound disclosures from patent databases like KIPRIS, EPO’s Espacenet, and USPTO records.
In the context of South Korea, the patent landscape features extensive filings in the following areas:
- Kinase inhibitors and small molecules for oncology (e.g., KR patents on kinase inhibitors for cancer therapy).
- Neuroprotective agents targeting neurodegenerative diseases.
- Novel formulations using nanotechnology or bioavailability-enhancing excipients.
Potential Overlaps and Challenges
Given the specificity of chemical structures and therapeutic claims, KR20170029413 may face:
- Obviousness rejections if prior art discloses similar compounds or therapeutic methods.
- Validity challenges based on prior disclosures or publications.
- Freedom-to-operate issues if similar patents exist within the targeted therapy classes.
Patent Term and Data Exclusivity
Like other pharmaceutical patents, the typical 20-year term applies from the priority date, with possible extensions in Korea for regulatory delays. Data exclusivity, separate from patent protection, may also influence commercial timelines.
Regulatory Considerations
Protection under patent law complements Korea’s pharmaceutical regulatory environment. For market exclusivity, the patent’s claims must align with clinical development phases, which are tightly regulated for safety and efficacy.
Conclusion: Strategic Takeaways
- Narrow yet strong claims covering specific chemical entities or uses provide the best enforceability.
- Broader claims offer market coverage but require rigorous novelty and inventive step validations.
- Landscape positioning suggests high competition in chemical and formulation innovations within Korea’s pharma patent sector.
- Monitoring prior art is critical for safeguarding the patent’s validity and defending against infringement.
- Alignment with regulatory data protections can maximize commercial exclusivity.
Key Takeaways
- The scope of KR20170029413 depends heavily on the structuring of its claims—specific compounds versus broad classes—and their strategic positioning.
- Ensuring claims are both novel and inventive relative to prior art in Korea and globally is essential for enforceability.
- The patent landscape indicates intense activity around molecular innovation and drug delivery, requiring thorough landscape analysis when developing similar compounds.
- Protecting both composition and method claims enhances defensive and offensive patent positions.
- Continual monitoring of new filings and prior art is crucial for maintaining patent robustness and market freedom.
FAQs
1. What is the primary focus of patent KR20170029413?
It likely covers a novel pharmaceutical compound, therapeutic use, or formulation related to a specific medical condition, providing protection in South Korea.
2. How broad are the claims in KR20170029413?
The claims' breadth depends on the specific molecular structures and uses claimed; they may range from narrow (specific compounds) to broader chemical classes or therapeutic methodologies.
3. How does the patent landscape in South Korea influence this patent’s strength?
Korea's active pharmaceutical patent environment, with many filings in molecular and formulation innovations, necessitates that this patent’s claims are novel and non-obvious over existing prior art to ensure strength and enforceability.
4. What strategic considerations should patent holders keep in mind?
Aligning claims with innovative features, avoiding overlaps with prior art, and leveraging regional patent and regulatory data exclusivity will maximize market protection.
5. Can this patent impact global drug development efforts?
Yes, if the claims are broad or cover a unique compound or use, they can influence both domestic and international markets, especially when complemented with filings in other jurisdictions.
Sources:
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPRIS). Public patent records for KR20170029413.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent landscape reports on pharmaceutical patents in Korea.
[3] European Patent Office (EPO) Espacenet. Similar patent documents and prior art references.
