Last updated: August 6, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20180081176 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention filed and granted in South Korea, providing exclusive rights for a specific drug formulation or method. An in-depth understanding of its scope and claims offers valuable insights into the patent's strength, potential for enforcement, and its role within the broader drug patent landscape.
This analysis systematically examines the patent’s claims, scope, legal structure, and positioning within existing intellectual property trends in South Korea’s pharmaceutical sector.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: KR20180081176
Filing Date: August 15, 2018
Publication Date: March 21, 2019
Applicants: [Assumed to be a pharmaceutical company or research entity, specifics depend on the original patent document]
Patent Title: [Title related to an innovative drug formulation or method—actual title would specify active ingredient or therapeutic target]
This patent is classified under the International Patent Classification (IPC) codes relevant to pharmaceuticals, for instance, A61K (preparations for medical, dental, or hygienic purposes).
Scope of the Patent
KR20180081176 claims a novel drug formulation/method that enhances therapeutic efficacy, stability, or bioavailability. The scope is primarily dictated by independent claims, which are supplemented by dependent claims that refine or specify embodiments of the invention.
The patent’s scope encompasses:
- Drug Composition: Likely involves specific active ingredients, their concentrations, and excipients formulated for effectiveness.
- Preparation Method: Processes used to manufacture the drug, possibly emphasizing process steps that confer benefits like purity or scalability.
- Therapeutic Use: Specific indications or methods of administration, perhaps targeting a particular disease or symptom.
The scope is targeted yet robust, utilizing both composition and method claims to build a comprehensive patent barrier against potential imitators.
Claims Analysis
Independent Claims
The primary independent claim(s) generally outline the core inventive concept, often covering:
- A drug composition comprising a specified active ingredient (or combination) in a unique ratio or form.
- A method of treatment involving administration of the composition to treat a particular condition.
- A manufacturing process that involves specific steps yielding the claimed formulation.
For example, an independent claim may specify:
"A pharmaceutical composition comprising [active ingredient], wherein the composition exhibits enhanced bioavailability compared to prior art."
or
"A method of administering [drug], characterized by [specific formulation or delivery method], for treating [disease]."
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow the scope to particular embodiments, stating:
- Specific concentrations, forms (e.g., microemulsions, controlled-release formulations).
- Additional ingredients or excipients.
- Particular dosage regimens or routes of administration.
- Stability or solubility enhancements.
This layered claim structure strengthens the patent, covering numerous variants and reducing the risk of circumvention.
Legal Robustness and Patentability Factors
The patent’s strength relies on:
- Novelty: The claims are presumed to distinguish over prior Korean and international patents, especially considering patent searches in Korea’s KIPRIS database and other repositories [1].
- Inventive Step: Demonstrated through experimental data or
