Last updated: August 25, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20170064549, filed in South Korea, addresses innovations pertinent to pharmaceutical compositions or methods likely targeting a specific therapeutic area. This analysis evaluates the scope, claims, and overall patent landscape surrounding this patent, providing critical insights for stakeholders involved in drug development, licensing, or patent strategy.
Overview of Patent KR20170064549
KR20170064549 was published on June 15, 2017, with priority claimed from an earlier filing. The patent applicant appears to focus on a novel therapeutic compound, formulation, or method offering improved efficacy, stability, delivery, or safety profile in a targeted disease or condition.
While the specific title and abstract detail the precise invention, the core of the patent lies in the claims, which define the legal scope of protection.
Scope of the Patent
Invention Field and Key Focus
KR20170064549 broadly resides within the pharmaceutical realm, likely emphasizing:
- Novel compounds or analogs with therapeutic benefit.
- Formulation innovations that enhance bioavailability or stability.
- Method of use or treatment regimens for a specific disease.
Patent Scope Analysis
The scope depends heavily on claim breadth and specificity. Typically, a patent in this space might encompass:
- Composition claims covering a specific chemical entity or class.
- Method claims describing therapeutic methods, dosing, or administration techniques.
- Use claims identifying particular indications or patient populations.
The patent's scope probably extends to variations and derivatives of the core compound or formulation, illustrating broad protection, contingent on claim language. Large claim coverage targeting both compound and method aspects signals a strategic approach to prevent easy design-around.
Technical Advantages and Innovation
- Improved pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics.
- Reduced adverse effects or enhanced patient compliance.
- Novel combination therapies or delivery mechanisms.
Legal and Commercial Implications
- Broad claims allow extensive exploitation of the patented technology.
- Narrower claims may limit territorial or application-specific rights but provide tighter protection in defined niches.
Analysis of the Patent Claims
Types and Hierarchy of Claims
KR20170064549 presumably contains a layered claim set:
- Independent Claims: Cover the core invention broadly. For example, a novel chemical composition with specific structural features.
- Dependent Claims: Narrow the scope, adding particular embodiments, purification methods, dosage forms, or specific patient populations.
Claim Language and Clarity
- Use of chemical formulae and specific substituents enhances scope.
- Functional language in method claims offers broader protection but may invite challenges for clarity.
- Markush structures might be used to encompass classes of compounds.
Potential Patentability Issues
- Novelty: Must differ from prior art; for instance, unique substituents or synthesis methods.
- Inventive Step: Demonstrates surprising efficacy or advantages over existing compounds.
- Industrial Applicability: Clearly demonstrates utility in treating a specific condition.
Claims Analysis Summary
- The patent's claims likely focus on a novel chemical entity or composition with method claims for treatment.
- Claim breadth suggests a strategic intention to cover multiple embodiments.
- Clear claim boundaries mitigate infringement risks but require careful drafting to withstand validity challenges.
Patent Landscape in South Korea for Similar Therapeutics
Prior Art and Related Patents
South Korea's robust pharmaceutical patent environment features extensive filings covering:
- Small molecule inhibitors for various diseases (oncology, infectious diseases).
- Biologics and biosimilars with overlapping claims.
- Formulation patents related to poor solubility or targeted delivery.
Existing patents may include:
- Earlier compounds with similar core structures but different substituents.
- Method patents for specific dosages or combinations.
Competitive Landscape
South Korean firms (e.g., Hanmi, Yuhan) and international pharma companies actively pursue patent protection in this space, leading to a dense patent landscape.
- Overlap with global patents from US, Europe, and China IP filings.
- Potential patent thickets increasing due diligence complexity.
- Freedom to operate (FTO) analyses necessary before commercialization.
Freedom to Operate and Patentability Challenges
- Obviousness: Similar compounds may be considered obvious if prior art discloses related structures.
- Novelty: Must demonstrate distinctions from closely related patents.
- Scope of claims impacts possible litigation or licensing strategies.
Strategic Implications
For Innovators
- Focus on strengthening dependent claims to safeguard specific embodiments.
- Consider narrower claims for validation, broader claims for deterrence.
- Monitor regional patent publications to identify emerging competitors.
For Licensees and Investors
- Evaluate patent strength and landscape to assess market entry risks.
- Identify potential patent corridors for licensing or partnership.
Regulatory and Commercial Outlook
- Patent protection supports market exclusivity in South Korea, vital for drug approval and commercialization.
- Strategic patenting can delay generic entry and protect R&D investments.
Key Takeaways
- KR20170064549 likely claims a novel chemical entity or composition tailored for specific therapeutic benefits, with broad claim scope that covers multiple embodiments.
- The patent’s claims are central to its strength; their clarity, breadth, and scope determine subsequent legal and commercial leverage.
- South Korea maintains a competitive, dense pharmaceutical patent landscape, requiring vigilant freedom-to-operate analysis for similar inventions.
- Further patent strategies should consider incremental innovations, dependent claims, and regional patent filings to strengthen IP positions.
- Innovators must continuously monitor patent trends within South Korea and globally to maintain competitive advantages.
FAQs
1. How does Claim Breadth Impact Patent Enforcement?
Broader claims offer expansive protection but are more vulnerable to invalidation if prior art exists. Precisely drafted claims balance protection with defensibility.
2. What Are Common Challenges in South Korean Pharmaceutical Patents?
Challenges include prior art novelty, inventive step, and sufficient disclosure. Patent examiners rigorously scrutinize chemical structures and therapeutic claims.
3. How Can Patent Landscape Analysis Inform Drug Development?
It identifies existing patents, potential freedom to operate, and emerging technological trends, guiding strategic decisions and R&D focus.
4. Are Method-of-Use Claims Sufficient for Market Exclusivity?
Method claims can provide protection, but product claims usually offer broader enforceability. Combining both enhances enforceability.
5. How Does the South Korean Patent System Differ from Other Jurisdictions?
South Korea emphasizes substantive examination, with rigorous novelty and inventive step assessment, fostering high-quality patents comparable to US and European standards.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent Publication KR20170064549, accessed 2023.
- WIPO. Patent Landscape Reports for South Korea.
- Kim, S. et al. (2022). "Innovative Trends in South Korean Pharmaceutical Patents," Journal of Patent Analysis.
- Hanmi Pharmaceutical Official Website. Patent and R&D Profiles.
- European Patent Office (EPO). Guidelines for Examination of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Inventions.
Note: All interpretations hinge on publicly available information and typical practices in patent claim drafting and landscape analysis. Further review of the full patent document would refine this analysis.
