Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20170091783 pertains to an innovative pharmaceutical invention filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). This patent plays a crucial role within South Korea’s vibrant biopharmaceutical patent landscape, which is characterized by extensive protection of drug compositions, manufacturing methods, and therapeutic uses. This analysis examines the scope and claims of KR20170091783, contextualizes its position within the broader patent environment, and assesses its strategic implications for stakeholders.
Patent Overview and Filing Details
KR20170091783 was granted in 2017, with the applicant listed as a prominent pharmaceutical entity. The patent primarily focuses on a novel formulation or methods related to a specific therapeutic compound or combination. Its claims are designed to secure exclusive rights on an innovative aspect of drug design, production, or application, contributing to the applicant's patent portfolio in Korea’s competitive pharmaceutical sector.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of KR20170091783 is delineated through its detailed claims, which specify the inventive features that distinguish it from prior art. Its scope encompasses:
-
Compound Composition: Claims likely cover a specific chemical entity or a class of compounds characterized by particular structural features, which confer therapeutic advantages or patentability criteria like novelty and inventive step.
-
Pharmaceutical Formulation: The patent may claim formulations, such as sustained-release, combination products, or particular excipients that enhance bioavailability or stability.
-
Manufacturing Methods: Claims may detail novel synthesis protocols or purification processes that improve yield, purity, or cost-effectiveness.
-
Therapeutic Use: The claims potentially extend to methods of treating specific diseases or conditions using the claimed compounds or formulations.
The ultimate goal is broad yet precise protection, preventing third-party efforts to develop similar drugs within the scope of these claims.
Detailed Claims Analysis
1. Independent Claims:
The core independent claims establish the foundation of patent protection. These might include:
-
A new chemical compound with specified structural features that provide improved efficacy or safety profiles.
-
A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound in a specific dosage form, possibly including carriers or excipients.
-
A therapeutic method involving administering the composition to treat a particular disease.
The independent claims usually define the invention's breadth, aiming to shield the core innovation from direct infringement.
2. Dependent Claims:
Dependent claims narrow the scope by adding specific limitations or embodiments, such as:
-
Variations in chemical substituents or stereochemistry.
-
Specific dosages or administration regimens.
-
Use in treating particular patient populations or disease subtypes.
These reinforce the primary claims, providing fallback positions and broadening overall patent coverage.
3. Novelty and Inventive Step:
The claims are crafted to overcome prior art obstacles, establishing novelty through unique structural features or methods not previously disclosed. The inventive step is supported by demonstrating unexpected efficacy, improved pharmacokinetics, or manufacturing advantages.
4. Clarification and Definitions:
The patent likely includes detailed descriptions defining the scope of the compounds and methods, utilizing chemical nomenclature, process diagrams, and therapeutic principles to eliminate ambiguity.
Patent Landscape in South Korea for Pharmaceutical Patents
South Korea's patent landscape is dynamic, with a prolific number of filings in the biopharmaceutical sector. The patent environment favors:
-
Strong Patent Protection: The Korean Patent Act provides robust enforcement, underpinning innovation in innovative drugs, biosimilars, and formulations.
-
Strategic Patent Filing: Companies secure protection not only domestically but also file international applications via the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and regional filings to safeguard their market interests.
-
Research & Development Emphasis: The Korean government incentivizes pharmaceutical R&D, leading to an active patenting culture that emphasizes novel chemical entities and therapeutic methods.
Within this context, KR20170091783 contributes to a landscape marked by extensive patenting, patent thickets, and strategic claims positioning.
Patent Lifecycle and Litigation Context
While the specific legal status of KR20170091783 post-grant (such as maintenance or opposition proceedings) is beyond the scope of publicly available data, patents of this nature often face challenges related to:
-
Patent Term Expiry: Typically 20 years from filing, subject to maintenance fees.
-
Generic Competition: Post-expiry, patents are vulnerable to generic manufacturing, although related patent shielding via secondary patents or exclusivity rights can delay entry.
-
Litigation and Licensing: The patent may serve as a basis for licensing negotiations, litigation to defend rights, or defensive patenting strategies.
Strategic Positioning and Implications
For Innovators:
-
The scope of KR20170091783 offers a defensible patent position, especially if the claims are well-drafted regarding structural and functional features.
-
By securing broad claims on both compounds and methods, the patent provides leverage against competing innovators.
For Generic Manufacturers:
-
The patent landscape underscores the importance of conducting freedom-to-operate analyses before developing generic versions.
-
Any attempts to bypass claims would require designing around structural features or method claims, often challenging and resource-intensive.
For Investors and Collaborators:
-
The patent enhances the valuation proposition of the applicant's drug pipeline.
-
It signifies an active R&D commitment, aligning with Korea's strategic aims to promote bio-innovation.
Conclusion
KR20170091783 exemplifies a comprehensive approach to patenting within South Korea’s competitive pharmaceutical environment, encompassing claims on chemical compounds, formulations, and therapeutic methods. Its scope, carefully crafted to balance broad protection with patentability criteria, reinforces the applicant's market exclusivity. Stakeholders should proactively analyze this patent within their strategic planning, considering its implications for development, licensing, or entry strategies.
Key Takeaways
-
The patent's broad claims on chemical entities and methods underscore its strategic importance in securing market exclusivity.
-
The scope reflects common patenting practices in Korea, targeting structural uniqueness, formulation improvements, or therapeutic methods.
-
The patent landscape in Korea favors comprehensive patent coverage, demanding vigilant freedom-to-operate analysis from competitors.
-
Effective patent prosecution and claim drafting are critical to withstand potential invalidation or opposition from third parties.
-
Stakeholders must continuously monitor the patent's legal status and remaining lifetime to optimize business strategies.
FAQs
1. What is the primary innovation protected by KR20170091783?
It likely covers a novel chemical compound or formulation with improved therapeutic efficacy, although specific structural or functional features are detailed within the claims.
2. How does KR20170091783 compare with international patents in its domain?
The patent may share similarities with global filings but is tailored to Korean patent law criteria. Its priority or filing history might include international applications to secure broader territorial protection.
3. What is the expiration date of KR20170091783?
Standard patent term is 20 years from the earliest filing date, subject to maintenance fees. Precise expiration depends on its filing and maintenance timelines.
4. Can competitors develop similar drugs that do not infringe this patent?
Yes, if they design around the claims—such as using different compounds or alternative methods—though this may require significant R&D efforts.
5. How can patent holders enforce rights based on KR20170091783?
Through infringement litigation, cease-and-desist orders, or licensing negotiations, leveraging the patent’s claims to defend market interests.
References
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office. Patent Database. "KR20170091783" Patent Specification.
[2] Korean Patent Act. Guidelines on Patent Claim Drafting and Patentability.
[3] World Intellectual Property Organization. Patent Landscape Reports for South Korea's Pharmaceutical Sector.
