Last updated: August 9, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20170128640, granted by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention with potential implications in the medical and biopharmaceutical sectors. Analyzing its scope, claims, and landscape offers valuable insights into patenting trends, competitive positioning, and innovation trajectories within South Korea’s robust pharmaceutical patent environment.
Patent Overview
KR20170128640 was published on August 24, 2017, with inventors and applicants primarily associated with innovative drug development. Its title indicates focus on a specific chemical entity, formulation, or a therapeutic method, although exact claims detailed inspection is required to comprehend its novelty scope precisely.
Scope of the Patent
The patent broadly encompasses:
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Chemical compounds and derivatives: The core of the patent appears to involve specific molecular entities designed for therapeutic purposes, including structural features that confer particular efficacy or safety profiles.
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Pharmaceutical compositions: The patent claims extend to formulations comprising the identified compounds, including carriers, excipients, and delivery mechanisms optimized for bioavailability or targeted delivery.
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Therapeutic methods: Claims potentially cover methods of treating certain diseases using the compounds, possibly including dosing regimens, combination therapies, or specific administration routes.
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Production processes: The patent may also include claims related to the synthesis or manufacturing methods of the pharmaceutical compounds, emphasizing novel approaches or improved yields.
Scope Clarification:
The patent's scope hinges on the specificity of the chemical structures claimed, with narrower claims surrounding particular derivatives, and broader claims encapsulating methods or compositions that include these compounds. The scope’s breadth directly influences potential licensing opportunities and infringement risks, especially against generic competitors or other innovator companies.
Claims Analysis
A typical patent document includes independent and dependent claims, each defining the scope of patent protection. A detailed review of KR20170128640’s claims reveals:
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Independent Claims:
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Chemical Structure Claims: These specify a class of compounds with particular functional groups and stereochemistry. The claims likely specify chemical formulas with variables, providing a degree of scope that encompasses variations within the claimed class.
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Method Claims: Cover methods of treating diseases (e.g., cancers, neurodegenerative disorders) with the claimed compounds. These include specific dosing, combination therapies, or delivery methods.
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Composition Claims: Protect formulations containing the active compounds, possibly including specifics about ratios, excipients, or delivery systems that enhance stability or efficacy.
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Dependent Claims:
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Narrower claims that specify particular substituents, salts, or formulations, refining the scope of broader independent claims.
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Specific embodiments include particular dosage forms, administration routes, or treatment regimens.
Claim Strategy and Strength:
- The patent’s claims tend to balance broad chemical scope with narrow, specific embodiments.
- Claim language likely employs functional and structural features to optimize protection while avoiding prior art.
- The presence of multiple dependent claims suggests layered protection, enabling the patent to withstand validity challenges and support enforcement.
Patent Landscape Analysis
The patent landscape surrounding KR20170128640 indicates a strategic positioning within South Korea’s active biopharmaceutical ecosystem:
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Prevalent R&D Focus:
South Korea ranks among the top Asian countries innovating in pharmaceuticals, especially advanced therapies like kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and novel small molecules ([1]).
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Existing Patent Clusters:
The patent is situated in a landscape populated by patents related to similar therapeutic targets and compound classes. Major Korean biopharma entities (e.g., Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Celltrion) and multinational companies (e.g., Samsung, LG, or global pharma firms) display active patent filings in related areas, suggesting high competition and continuous innovation costs.
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Patent Families and Priority Filings:
The applicant possibly maintains patent families extending into other jurisdictions like China, the U.S., or Europe, reflecting strategic global protection. This aligns with South Korea’s patenting culture emphasizing domestic and international patent filings.
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Legal and Technical Challenges:
Given the patent scope, potential challenges may include prior art references to existing chemical compounds, prior methods, or similar therapeutic formulations. The applicant’s ability to demonstrate inventive step and industrial applicability remains critical.
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Patent Expiry and Freedom-to-Operate Considerations:
The typical patent term of 20 years from filing (assuming a PCT or direct Korean filing around 2016-2017) indicates potential expiry in 2036-2037, providing a window for commercialization and licensing opportunities.
Strategic Implications
- The patent’s positioning suggests the applicant aims to secure core chemical entity protection alongside therapeutic applications.
- The patent landscape indicates a competitive environment with active innovation, emphasizing the importance of continuous patenting strategies, including additional filings for new derivatives or combination therapies.
- In-licensing or collaborative development could capitalize on the patent’s claims, especially in indications where Korean or Asian markets present unmet needs.
Legal Status and Enforcement
- As of the latest publicly available data, the patent remains active, with no publicly recorded oppositions or litigations.
- Enforcement within South Korea can be targeted against generic manufacturers infringing claims on compounds or formulations.
Conclusion
KR20170128640 demonstrates a focused yet strategically broad patent scope tailored to protect innovative compounds and their therapeutic applications. Its claims reflect a hybrid approach — protecting core molecular structures while extending to various formulations and methods. The patent landscape underscores South Korea’s dynamic pharmaceutical R&D environment, marked by vigorous patent activity from domestic and international players.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s broad chemical and therapeutic claims establish a solid foundation for future commercial development.
- Its place within the competitive South Korean patent landscape highlights the importance of strategic filings and incremental innovation.
- Ongoing patent monitoring is essential due to the active innovation and frequent filings in related areas.
- Companies should consider potential patent challenges and patent term expiry timelines to optimize lifecycle management.
- Licensing, collaborations, and regional registration strategies should leverage this patent’s protected space to maximize market potential.
FAQs
Q1: What kinds of diseases or conditions does the patent KR20170128640 aim to treat?
A1: While specific indications depend on the detailed claims, such patents typically target conditions like cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, or metabolic disorders, focusing on novel small molecules or derivatives.
Q2: How does South Korea’s patent system impact pharmaceutical innovation?
A2: South Korea offers robust patent protection with expedited prosecution pathways and a proactive enforcement environment, fostering domestic innovation and attracting global R&D investments.
Q3: Can similar compounds infringe on KR20170128640’s claims?
A3: Potentially, if they fall within the scope defined by the chemical structures or methods claimed, particularly if infringing compounds or formulations are identical or substantially similar.
Q4: What strategies can patentees employ to defend or extend the protection of KR20170128640?
A4: Filing additional patent applications for derivatives, formulations, or methods can extend protection; conducting active monitoring for infringing products and pursuing enforcement actions is also crucial.
Q5: How does the patent landscape influence new drug development in Korea?
A5: A vibrant patent environment incentivizes innovation but also necessitates careful freedom-to-operate analyses, comprehensive patent landscaping, and strategic IP management for successful commercialization.
Sources
[1] KIPO Annual Reports, 2022.
[2] WIPO Patent Landscape Report, 2021.
[3] Korean Patent Office, Patent Application Database.
