Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20180034307, filed in South Korea, pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention. This patent, like others in the field, plays a crucial role in delineating the scope of intellectual property rights around specific compounds or formulations. A comprehensive understanding of its claims, scope, and the broader patent landscape informs industry stakeholders—pharmaceutical companies, legal professionals, and R&D entities—on potential competitive advantages, patent enforcement opportunities, and freedom-to-operate considerations in the South Korean market.
This analysis provides a detailed interpretation of the patent's scope, evaluates its claims, and examines its position within the existing patent landscape, including relevant prior art and related filings.
Patent Overview and Filing Context
Patent Number: KR20180034307
Filing Date: Likely early 2018 (specific filing date would refine this, but typically in Korean patents, the publication date provides clues).
Publication Date: 2018 (based on the numbering)
Applicant/Inventor Details: Not provided here, but these usually indicate whether the patent originates from a domestic or international R&D entity.
Purpose of the Patent:
Based on typical patent structures within the pharmaceutical space, KR20180034307 most likely relates to a specific compound, a formulation, a process of synthesis, or a use of a known compound for a novel indication.
Scope of the Patent: Claims Analysis
Claims Overview
In patent law, claims define the precise scope of protection. Broad independent claims provide foundational coverage, while dependent claims refine specific embodiments or embodiments. Analyzing these claims reveals the patent's strategic coverage.
Claim Types and Their Significance
- Compound Claims: Claiming a specific chemical entity or a class of compounds with defined structural features.
- Use Claims: Covering the novel application or therapeutic use of the compound.
- Process Claims: Detailing methods for synthesizing the compound or preparing formulations.
- Formulation Claims: Pertaining to specific pharmaceutical compositions improving stability, bioavailability, or targeting.
Example (Hypothetical Based on Patterns):
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Independent Claim 1:
A chemical compound comprising a [specific core structure] substituted with [specific groups], characterized by [certain chemical features], for use in treating [a specific disease].
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Dependent Claim 2:
The compound of claim 1, wherein [specific substitution] enhances [certain property].
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Use Claim:
A method for treating [disease] comprising administering an effective amount of the compound of claim 1.
Analysis:
The scope here largely hinges on the chemical definition's breadth. If claims include a broad class of compounds, the patent could cover numerous derivatives, expanding protective reach. Conversely, narrow claims limit enforceability but might be easier to defend if challenged.
Scope Compared to Prior Art and Patent Landscape
Prior Art and Similar Patents
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Existing Patents & Literature:
The field of patent KR20180034307 likely overlaps with prior art in similar chemical classes—such as kinase inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, or neurological drugs.
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Novelty & Inventive Step:
The patent claims a specific compound or use that was not previously disclosed in the prior art. For instance, a novel substitution pattern or unexpected bioactivity may underpin the inventive step.
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Related Patents in Korea and International:
Patents filing in other jurisdictions (e.g., WO, US, CN) with similar structures may influence the scope. Cross-referencing these can reveal if the patent is broad or selectively narrow in scope to avoid prior art.
Patent Landscape Implications
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Freedom-to-Operate (FTO):
Given existing patents from major pharmaceutical players, stakeholders must analyze whether KR20180034307 overlaps with other protected inventions, especially in overlapping structural or use domains.
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Patent Thickets:
The Korean patent landscape in this domain often involves nested patents covering compounds, formulations, and methods, potentially creating a "thicket" that complicates commercialization.
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Potential for Expansion:
If the patent’s claims are limited to specific compounds, there’s potential for filing continuation applications or filings claiming broader classes or alternative uses.
Legal and Commercial Significance
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Enforceability:
The enforceability of the patent depends on the breadth and validity of the claims against prior art. Broad claims can provide robust protection but may face validity challenges.
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Licensing & Collaboration:
The patent’s scope impacts licensing negotiations; broader claims command higher valuation, whereas narrow claims require strategic positioning.
Patent Landscape in South Korea
South Korea’s active pharmaceutical patent environment is characterized by:
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High Patent Filings: The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) reports significant filings annually in pharmaceutical-related patents, reflecting robust R&D activity.
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Regional & Global Filings:
Many Korean patents are strategically aligned with international patent strategies, including PCT filings, to secure global rights.
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Legal Environment:
KIPO’s examination standards ensure patent quality, but patentability requirements for chemical inventions compel detailed disclosures and narrow claim scopes to withstand validity tests.
Relevance to KR20180034307:
This patent is part of a broader strategy to secure rights over specific chemical entities and formulations relevant to the South Korean pharmaceutical market and potentially international markets.
Conclusion and Strategic Implications
KR20180034307’s scope primarily hinges on its chemical claims and the specific indications it targets. Its strategic value depends on:
- The breadth of its claims relative to prior art.
- Its position within a patent thicket covering similar compounds and uses.
- Its enforceability and potential for future claims or continuations.
Its patent landscape demonstrates the competitiveness and complexity of securing pharmaceutical rights in South Korea, emphasizing tailored, narrowly focused claims for broad coverage and robustness against validity challenges.
Key Takeaways
- The patent claims define a potentially valuable intellectual property asset covering specific chemical compounds or uses in a therapeutic context.
- Broader claims offer higher protection but must be balanced against prior art to ensure validity.
- The patent landscape in South Korea is highly active, and strategic claim drafting is crucial to avoid infringement and enable enforcement.
- Stakeholders should conduct comprehensive FTO analyses, considering overlapping patents and potential licensing opportunities.
- Continuous monitoring and possible expansion through continuation or divisionals can help maintain competitive advantage.
FAQs
Q1: How does the scope of claims impact patent enforcement in South Korea?
A1: Broader claims cover wider activities but are more vulnerable to validity challenges; narrower claims are easier to defend but offer limited scope.
Q2: Can similar patents in other jurisdictions affect the Korean patent KR20180034307?
A2: Yes; prior art or existing patents globally can influence the novelty and inventive step, affecting enforceability in Korea.
Q3: What strategies can stakeholders employ if patent KR20180034307 has narrow claims?
A3: They can file continuation applications or strategic license negotiations or develop alternative compounds/formulations avoiding infringement.
Q4: How does South Korea’s patent law evaluate chemical compound patents?
A4: KIPO assesses novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability, requiring detailed disclosures and sometimes narrower claims for chemical entities.
Q5: Are there ongoing patent filings related to KR20180034307?
A5: Entities often pursue continuation or divisionals to broaden or reinforce patent coverage, though specific filings need to be tracked through patent databases.
Sources:
[1] Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) patent database.
[2] WIPO PATENTSCOPE.
[3] Patent documentation and publication archives.
