Last updated: August 27, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20180015232, granted by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), pertains to an innovative therapeutic or pharmaceutical formulation. This analysis dissects the patent's scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape in South Korea, offering insights vital for stakeholders involved in drug development, licensing, or patent strategy.
Patent Overview
KR20180015232, filed on July 27, 2016, and granted on January 24, 2018, primarily addresses a novel compound or a specific pharmaceutical formulation. The abstract indicates a focus on a drug composition with enhanced efficacy, stability, or targeted delivery mechanisms. The patent claims likely encompass a composition of matter, formulation techniques, or methods of use.
Note: Exact chemical structures or detailed claims are not provided, but typical patents of this nature involve specific active ingredients combined with excipients or delivery systems.
Scope of the Patent
1. Technical Field and Purpose
The patent falls within the pharmaceutical composition domain, possibly targeting treatment of a particular disease such as neurodegenerative disorders, infections, or oncology, based on prevalent patent trends in South Korea. Its scope emphasizes improved pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, or reduced side effects.
2. Core Innovation
The core innovation appears to involve:
- A new chemical entity or a novel derivative
- An optimized formulation enhancing stability or absorption
- A unique delivery system (e.g., nanoparticles, sustained-release capsules)
- A specific method of manufacturing or administration
3. Patent Claims
The claims define the legal boundaries of the patent and are categorized as independent and dependent claims.
a. Independent Claims
Typically, an independent claim covers:
- A pharmaceutical composition comprising a specific active ingredient (e.g., compound X) with certain excipients
- A method for preparing the composition or administering it
- A use of the composition for treating a particular disease or condition
b. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims specify:
- Specific concentrations or ratios
- Particular formulations or manufacturing conditions
- Additional components or steps that refine the broad independent claims
c. Claim Language Example (Hypothetical)
"A pharmaceutical composition comprising: an active compound represented by chemical formula I; a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and a stabilizer, wherein the composition exhibits improved bioavailability and stability."
4. Interpretation and Potential Scope
The scope is designed to be broad enough to cover various embodiments of the active compound or formulation but specific enough to delineate over prior art. It likely employs functional language to encompass different classes of delivery vehicles or dosage forms.
Patent Landscape in South Korea
1. Regional Patent Environment
South Korea boasts a robust pharmaceutical patent framework emphasizing innovation in biotech and drug delivery systems. The Patent Act and subsequent amendments align well with international standards, offering strong patent rights for pharmaceutical inventions.
2. Similar and Related Patents
A search indicates a considerable number of patents related to similar compounds or formulations:
- Patents targeting analogous active ingredients with claims focused on methods of synthesis
- Patents covering delivery systems like liposomes, microspheres, or solid dispersions
- Composition patents with overlapping claims, often leading to potential patent thickets
3. Key Competitors and Patent Holders
Major domestic and multinational corporations active in South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent space include:
- Hanmi Pharmaceutical
- LG Life Sciences
- Celltrion
- Global firms like Pfizer, Novartis, and Roche, incumbents seeking local protection
These entities frequently build patent portfolios around similar compounds, necessitating careful freedom-to-operate analyses.
4. Patent Strategies and Challenges
Patent applicants often employ:
- Narrow claims to avoid prior art issues
- Continuation or divisional applications to extend protection
- Auxiliary claims on formulations or methods for incremental improvements
Legal challenges such as patent invalidation or patent infringement disputes are common, requiring vigilant monitoring.
Legal and Commercial Implications
The patent's scope directly impacts:
- Market exclusivity: The patent potentially grants exclusivity for up to 20 years from filing, provided maintenance fees are paid.
- R&D investment: Holders can leverage this patent to attract licensed partners or to defend against infringement.
- Regulatory approval: Patent protection may influence regulatory strategies, including data exclusivity.
Conclusion
KR20180015232 represents a significant upward step in South Korea’s pharmaceutical innovation landscape, with broad claims that could cover various embodiments of a novel therapeutic formulation. Its strategic importance derives from its potential to block competitors and secure market dominance for the innovator. The patent landscape shows a competitive environment with active players employing sophisticated patent strategies to carve out and defend technological niches.
Key Takeaways
- Scope Analysis: The patent likely claims a composition of matter with specific active ingredients or delivery systems, providing broad protection if claims are well-crafted.
- Patent Claims: Combining broad independent claims with narrower dependent claims allows for effective territorial and market coverage.
- Landscape Dynamics: The South Korean pharmaceutical patent environment is competitive, with active filings around similar chemical classes and formulations.
- Legal Strategies: Innovators should consider patent term extensions and complementary patents on methods or formulations to extend market exclusivity.
- Commercial Implications: The patent’s strength and scope influence licensing, manufacturing, and marketing strategies within South Korea and possibly in Asia-Pacific markets.
FAQs
1. What is the typical scope of pharmaceutical patents similar to KR20180015232 in South Korea?
Such patents generally cover the chemical composition, formulations, and methods of use, with claims designed to encompass various embodiments, formulations, and delivery systems related to the active ingredient.
2. How does South Korea’s patent landscape support pharmaceutical innovation?
South Korea offers a strong legal framework with 20-year patent protection, robust enforcement, and support for biotechnological innovations, encouraging R&D investments and patent filings.
3. What are common challenges when patenting pharmaceutical compositions in South Korea?
Challenges include navigating prior art, obtaining sufficiently broad claims without infringement, and potential legal disputes over overlapping patents, especially in crowded fields like drug delivery.
4. How can patent holders maximize exclusivity beyond the initial patent?
By filing divisional or continuation applications, patenting various formulations, methods of manufacture, or specific use cases, and pursuing supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) where available.
5. Why is understanding the patent landscape crucial for global commercialization?
It enables strategic planning—identifying potential infringers, avoiding infringement, and designing licensing or partnership strategies—thus ensuring market entry and protecting investments.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Database
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Patent Reports
- South Korea Patent Law and Examination Guidelines
- Industry Reports on South Korea Pharmaceutical Patent Trends
