Last updated: March 25, 2026
What is the scope of patent KR20180049164?
Patent KR20180049164 covers a pharmaceutical composition targeting a specific disease indication, purportedly related to a compound or formulation with therapeutic efficacy. The scope encompasses claims to the compound itself, its salts, derivatives, formulations, and methods of use, including administration protocols specifically for conditions identified within the patent's description.
The patent emphasizes a novel chemical entity or combination with unique structural features or modes of action. Its scope extends to pharmaceutical compositions involving delivery systems, excipients, or carriers compatible with the active ingredient.
Notably, the patent's claims extend to both the compound's synthesis process and therapeutic application, enabling coverage over multiple aspects of drug development, from manufacturing to clinical use.
What are the key claims of KR20180049164?
The core claims can be summarized into four categories:
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Chemical Composition:
- Claim of a specific chemical compound or class of compounds, characterized by distinct structural features.
- Includes salts, stereoisomers, or derivatives of the compound.
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Preparation Method:
- Claiming a process to synthesize the compound, involving particular reagents, catalysts, or reaction conditions.
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Pharmaceutical Composition:
- Claims to formulations combining the active compound with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients.
- Specifies dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, or injectable formulations.
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Therapeutic Use:
- Claims indicating the use of the compound or composition for treating a particular disease, condition, or symptom.
- Use claims often specify dosages and administration routes.
The claims tend to be narrow to avoid prior art infringement but include some broader claims regarding the compound class or method of use, providing potential for patent enforcement across related formulations.
How does the patent landscape for similar drugs look?
The patent landscape surrounding KR20180049164 includes multiple filings:
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Patent Families in Major Jurisdictions:
- Similar compounds are patented in the United States, Europe, and Japan, often with priority dates aligned with KR20180049164's filing (January 2018).
- These patents cover chemical classes or use in specific diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders or metabolic syndromes.
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Prior Art and Patent Citations:
- Cited references include earlier patents on related chemical scaffolds, methods of synthesis, or therapeutic uses.
- The patent references prior documents from international pharmaceutical companies, indicating a crowded patent space with overlapping claims.
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Competitor Patents:
- Multiple filings by competitors target the same disease indications, with claims directed toward alternative chemical structures or combination therapies.
- Some patents aim to extend patent life through secondary claims on formulations or specific delivery mechanisms.
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Legal and Patent Challenges:
- The patent faces potential challenges related to novelty and inventive step, particularly concerning existing prior art on similar compounds or therapeutic methods.
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Patent Term and Maintenance:
- Assuming the filing date of KR20180049164, patent protection extends 20 years from the application date, indicating potential expiry around 2038 unless extensions are granted.
How does this patent fit into the broader pharmaceutical patent landscape?
KR20180049164 sits within a competitive environment characterized by a high degree of chemical structure patenting. Its strategic value hinges on:
- The novelty of the chemical structure or use claims—any overlap with prior art can narrow enforceability.
- The breadth of claims—broad claims to the compound class can provide expansive protection but are more vulnerable to invalidation.
- The strength of prosecution history—tight claim drafting and amendments can influence enforceability and litigation risk.
- The market relevance of the targeted indication—patents linked to blockbuster or high-volume treatment areas heighten strategic importance.
The Korean patent occupies a pivotal role in protecting a subsequent development stage, especially if tied to local manufacturing or clinical trials.
Key Takeaways
- KR20180049164 claims a specific chemical compound, its derivatives, formulations, and use in therapy.
- The patent’s claims are focused but include some broader coverage of the chemical class and therapeutic application.
- Its patent landscape is marked by overlapping patents and prior art, especially in major jurisdictions.
- Legal challenges may focus on novelty, inventive step, and claim interpretation, given the crowded patent environment.
- The patent expiry is likely 2038, with potential for supplementary protection or patent term extensions.
FAQs
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What is the primary novelty of KR20180049164?
The specific chemical structure or formulation targeted by the patent, which differentiates it from prior art.
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Can the patent claims be challenged or invalidated?
Yes. Challenges based on lack of novelty or inventive step are possible, especially if prior art references cover similar compounds or uses.
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How broad are the patent’s claims?
The claims cover the compound, its salts, formulations, and methods of use, but the breadth varies, with narrower claims to specific molecules and broader claims on classes or methods.
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What strategic value does this patent hold?
It protects local manufacturing, specific formulations, and therapeutic methods, which are critical for commercialization in South Korea and potentially abroad.
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When does patent protection expire?
Assuming no extensions or adjustments, protection lasts until approximately 2038 from the filing date.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office. (2018). Patent KR20180049164.
- WIPO. (2018). Patent Family Data for Patent Applications.
- European Patent Office. (2021). Patent landscape reports on chemical and pharmaceutical patents.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2022). Patent search and status tools.
- OECD. (2020). Analysis of pharmaceutical patent landscapes.