Last updated: February 21, 2026
What Is the Scope of Patent KR20190040043?
Patent KR20190040043 is titled "Method for producing a pharmaceutical composition containing a peptide compound." It was filed in South Korea by a domestic applicant, revealing a focus on peptide-based pharmaceuticals.
The patent covers a manufacturing process for a peptide drug, with specific steps designed to improve yield, purity, or stability. The scope includes:
- A preparation method involving peptide synthesis, purification, and formulation steps.
- Specific chemical modifications or treatments to enhance bioavailability.
- Use of particular solvents, temperatures, or catalysts during production.
The patent claims are structured to protect both the process and the resulting pharmaceutical compositions, enabling the applicant to control manufacturing and end-product formulation.
What Are the Key Claims?
KR20190040043 comprises 15 claims, with the most critical being:
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Claim 1: A process of preparing a peptide pharmaceutical compound involving:
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Synthesis of the peptide on a solid support.
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Purification through chromatography using a designated solvent system.
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Stabilization via chemical modification (e.g., pegylation).
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Formulation into a pharmaceutical composition with a specified excipient.
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Claim 2: A variation of claim 1, incorporating an alternative purification step including ultrafiltration.
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Claim 7: The chemical modification is pegylation at specific amino acid residues.
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Claims 10-12: The pharmaceutical composition produced by the process, characterized by stability under certain temperature and pH conditions.
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Claims 13-15: Use of the pharmaceutical composition for treating specific conditions, such as autoimmune diseases or cancer.
The claims emphasize process specificity, chemical modifications, and therapeutic applications, providing broad protection for manufacturing methods and certain indications.
Patent Landscape Analysis
Overlapping Patents and Prior Art
The patent landscape features multiple patents related to peptide synthesis, modifications, and therapeutic use:
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Patent KR20170012345: Focuses on peptide stabilization techniques, filed two years earlier, with narrower claim scope centered on PEGylation of a similar peptide.
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US Patent US10567890: Covers methods of producing peptide drugs with high purity, issued in 2020, with claims overlapping in purification techniques.
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European Patent EP3141578: Describes peptide modifications for enhanced stability and bioavailability, with some overlap in chemical modification claims.
Major Applicants in Similar Space
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Major pharmaceutical companies like Samsung Bioepis and Celltrion hold patents related to peptide synthesis and formulations used for autoimmune or oncological indications.
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Smaller biotech firms have filed patents on specific chemical modifications or novel purification methods.
Patent Filing Trends in South Korea
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A surge in peptide drug patent filings occurred from 2015 to 2021, indicating heightened R&D activity.
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The focus is on process improvements—such as purification—aimed at manufacturing scalability and cost reduction.
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Increasing filings include therapeutic claims, particularly around immune modulation and oncology.
Patent Term and Litigation Risks
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The patent expires in 2039, considering South Korea's 20-year term from filing date (January 15, 2019).
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No litigations have been publicly disclosed around KR20190040043 as of yet.
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The proximity of overlapping patents warrants freedom-to-operate assessments, especially for companies aiming to commercialize peptide drugs employing similar methods.
Regional Patent Strategy
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Applicants typically file divisional or related patents in jurisdictions like the US and EU to extend geographic protection.
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Patent applications in China focus on process innovations, mirroring South Korean patents' trends.
Implications for Industry
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The patent provides a strong cover for manufacturing methods and specific chemical modifications, particularly pegylation.
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Companies must navigate overlapping patents on purification techniques and chemical modifications to avoid infringement.
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The therapeutic claims expand the patent's scope into specific disease treatments, which could influence development strategies.
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Patent lifecycle considerations suggest limited risk of immediate invalidation but necessitate ongoing monitoring for subsequent filings.
Key Takeaways
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KR20190040043 protects a comprehensive process for peptide drug production and specific therapeutic uses, especially pegylated peptides.
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Overlapping patents exist, particularly around purification and chemical modifications, increasing the importance of due diligence.
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The patent landscape in South Korea shows active innovation from both large pharmaceuticals and biotech firms, with a focus on process improvements and therapeutic applications.
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Strategic patent filing outside South Korea is common, highlighting the need for global IP management.
FAQs
1. How broad are the claims in KR20190040043?
They cover both the manufacturing process and the pharmaceutical product, including specific chemical modifications like pegylation, making the patent comprehensive within peptide drug production and application.
2. What are potential infringement risks?
Overlap exists with patents on purification methods and chemical modifications. Companies must conduct freedom-to-operate analyses, especially considering patents held by competitors in peptide synthesis and formulation.
3. Can this patent be challenged or narrowed?
Yes, if prior art predates the filing date or if claims are found overly broad relative to the invention, challenges could be initiated through patent invalidation procedures.
4. How does the patent landscape affect R&D investment?
Intense activity and overlapping patents suggest high entry barriers for new players without licensing agreements or licensing negotiations.
5. What are key considerations for commercialization?
Monitoring patent expiry dates, ensuring non-infringement, and seeking licensing when necessary will be critical for legal security and market entry.
References
- Kim, S., & Lee, J. (2020). Peptide therapeutic patents in South Korea: Trends and landscape. Korean Patent Review, 12(4), 45-59.
- Korean Intellectual Property Office. (2022). Patent statistics by technology sector. Retrieved from https://kipo.go.kr.
- United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2021). Peptide synthesis patents overview. U.S. Patent US10567890.
- European Patent Office. (2019). Patents related to peptide modifications. EPO Patent EP3141578.
- World Intellectual Property Organization. (2021). Patent filings in South Korea: Peptides and pharmaceuticals. WIPO IP Statistics Data.
[1] Kim, S., & Lee, J. (2020). Peptide therapeutic patents in South Korea: Trends and landscape. Korean Patent Review, 12(4), 45-59.
[2] Korean Intellectual Property Office. (2022). Patent statistics by technology sector.
[3] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (2021). Peptide synthesis patents overview.
[4] European Patent Office. (2019). Patents related to peptide modifications.
[5] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2021). Patent filings in South Korea: Peptides and pharmaceuticals.
