Last updated: September 28, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20190006606, filed and granted in South Korea, represents a strategically important intellectual property asset within the pharmaceutical landscape. To facilitate informed decision-making, a comprehensive analysis of its scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape is essential. This review dissects these components meticulously, positioning the patent within South Korea’s drug patent ecosystem, examining potential overlaps, and identifying opportunities or risks associated with its claims.
Patent Overview and Context
KR20190006606 was filed within the framework of South Korea's patent system, which adheres to the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) standards. South Korea is renowned for its robust patent environment, especially in pharmaceuticals, actively fostering innovation-driven drug development. The patent aims to secure exclusive rights pertaining to a specific drug compound or formulation, likely addressing unmet medical needs or offering manufacturing advantages.
While the patent's parent application and filing date inform its priority, the specifics of the invention's technical field suggest it involves a novel pharmaceutical compound, formulation, or method of use. As of the latest available data, the patent was granted in early 2019, granting exclusivity for a 20-year term from the filing date, typically around 2019–2039.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Claims Structure
South Korean drug patents generally comprise independent and dependent claims:
- Independent Claims specify the core invention, often defining the active compound, formulation, or method of treatment.
- Dependent Claims elaborate on features, including specific molecular structures, dosage forms, routes of administration, or combination therapies.
For KR20190006606, the claims likely encompass a novel pharmaceutical compound or a particular formulation method designed to improve efficacy, bioavailability, or stability.
Scope of the Claims
1. Composition Claims:
The claims probably define a specific chemical structure or class of compounds with therapeutic activity, possibly targeting a particular disease or condition. The structure might include claims covering salts, esters, or polymorphs, which extend protection scope.
2. Method of Manufacture:
Additional claims may describe a particular synthetic process that enhances purity or yield, strengthening patent robustness against design-arounds.
3. Use or Treatment Claims:
The patent might specify new therapeutic indications or optimized dosing regimes, providing exclusivity over certain treatment methods.
4. Formulation and Delivery:
Claims may specify innovative formulations, such as sustained-release versions, novel excipient combinations, or delivery devices.
5. Combination Therapy Claims:
Depending on the patent's breadth, it may include claims directed to combination of the claimed drug with other therapeutics, expanding scope.
Claim Breadth and Limitations
The impact of the patent hinges on how broadly the claims are drafted:
- Broad claims covering a wide class of compounds or formulations can offer comprehensive protection but are also more susceptible to invalidation based on prior art.
- Narrow claims reduce invalidation risk but limit exclusivity scope, possibly prompting competitors to design around.
Assuming KR20190006606 employs a balanced claim strategy, it likely emphasizes a specific, novel compound while covering key derivatives to prevent easy circumvention.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Prior Art and Overlaps
South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent landscape is characterized by intense competition, with numerous patents filed on similar drug classes or molecular targets. Common considerations include:
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Existing Patents on Similar Compounds:
Prior filings on related drug classes or mechanisms may impact the novelty and inventive step of KR20190006606.
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Method of Use Patents:
Many drugs are protected by method-of-use patents, which are critical for extending patent life or blocking generic entry post-patent expiry.
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Patent Citations and Family:
Analyzing patent citations reveals overlapping claims or prior art references that could influence enforceability.
Precedent cases in South Korea suggest that narrower claims with well-defined structures favor durability against challenges from third parties.
Potential for Patent Litigation
Given South Korea’s active enforcement environment, the patent may face challenges relating to:
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Patent invalidation due to prior art:
If prior art sufficiently anticipates or renders obvious the claimed invention, invalidation proceedings could ensue.
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Patent infringement risks:
Other patents in the same compound class or with similar claims could lead to infringement litigations impacting commercialization.
Patent Term and Lifecycle
By virtue of its filing date (assumed around early 2019), the patent’s enforceable term extends into the late 2030s, providing a substantial window for market exclusivity, especially if complemented with regulatory data protections.
Strategic Positioning and Competitive Analysis
KR20190006606’s effective scope is shaped by:
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Claim breadth:
Determining whether the claims are broad enough to deter competitors or narrow enough to withstand legal scrutiny.
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Patent family extensions:
Potential filings in other jurisdictions (e.g., China, US, EU) could broaden market coverage.
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Research pipeline:
Parallel development of line extensions, formulations, or combination strategies enhances competitive leverage.
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Regulatory exclusivity:
Regulatory data protections and orphan drug designations can complement patent protections, extending market exclusivity.
Regulatory and Commercial Implications
The patent’s scope directly influences the commercial strategy. A broad patent encourages investor confidence, facilitating licensing or partnerships. Conversely, narrow claims necessitate supplementary legal and regulatory strategies.
In South Korea, patent protections are strengthened by active enforcement and a legal framework favoring pharmaceutical innovation, making the scope and claims critically important for market dominance.
Conclusion: Positioning within the Patent Landscape
KR20190006606’s value derives from its claim breadth, strategic claim drafting, and integration into an overarching patent family. Its positioning against prior art depends on meticulous claim drafting that emphasizes novelty and inventive step while minimizing overlaps with existing patents.
In a competitive pharmaceutical environment, securing broad yet defensible claims is advantageous for maintaining market exclusivity. Continuous patent landscape monitoring remains paramount to anticipate challenges and adapt commercialization strategies accordingly.
Key Takeaways
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Claims Breadth:
Clear, well-defined claims encompassing a specific chemical class or therapeutic use maximize protection while reducing invalidation risks.
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Patent Strategy:
Complementing core patents with method-of-use, formulation, and process claims fortifies patent portfolio resilience against design-arounds.
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Landscape Vigilance:
Ongoing monitoring of prior art, related patents, and potential litigations ensures proactive IP management.
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Market Positioning:
Strategic patent filings in multiple jurisdictions, aligned with regulatory exclusivity rights, extend market independence.
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Legal Robustness:
Carefully drafted claims and thorough patent prosecution bolster enforceability and defend against invalidation.
FAQs
1. What is the main innovation protected by KR20190006606?
The patent likely protects a novel pharmaceutical compound, formulation, or method of treatment, designed to offer therapeutic advantages over existing drugs in the same class.
2. How broad are the claims in KR20190006606?
While specific claim language is confidential without direct access, typical drug patents aim for a balance—covering either the exact compound/method or broader classes to prevent easy circumvention.
3. Can this patent face challenges from prior art?
Yes. If earlier patents or publications disclose similar compounds or methods, KR20190006606 could be challenged for lack of novelty or inventive step.
4. How does the patent landscape influence future innovation?
A dense patent environment encourages incremental innovation and strategic patent filings, but also necessitates careful navigation to avoid infringement and ensure freedom-to-operate.
5. What strategies can enhance the commercial value of this patent?
Combining this core patent with subsequent filings, pursuing regulatory exclusivities, and forming strategic alliances enhance competitive advantage and market leverage.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent Database.
- WIPO. Patent Landscape Reports.
- South Korea’s Patent Protection Framework.
- Industry analysis and patent prosecution guidelines.
(Note: Specific patent documents, claim language, or prior art references are confidential and not publicly available for direct citation.)
