Last updated: September 20, 2025
Introduction
South Korean Patent KR20190135556 pertains to inventive pharmaceutical formulations, method claims, or specific technological improvements in drug development. Understanding its scope, claims, and position within the patent landscape aids stakeholders in assessing potential infringement, licensing strategies, and competitive positioning.
This report provides a comprehensive, technical, and strategic analysis to inform pharmaceutical companies, legal professionals, and R&D entities engaged in the South Korean patent ecosystem.
Patent Overview
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Filing & Publication Details
- Filing Date: (Assumed based on typical timelines, e.g., 2019)
- Publication Date: 2019
- Applicant: (Typically a Korean pharmaceutical entity or a global innovator with local filings)
- International Classification: Likely falls under the CPC codes related to pharmaceuticals (e.g., A61K, C07D).
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Title & Abstract
The patent generally covers a novel drug compound, a pharmaceutical composition, or a specific manufacturing process aimed at improving therapeutic efficacy, stability, or bioavailability.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Claim Structure
KR20190135556 comprises multiple claims grouped hierarchically:
- Independent Claims: Define the core inventive aspect, often covering a novel compound, composition, or process.
- Dependent Claims: Specify particular embodiments, dosage forms, combinations, or manufacturing parameters.
Primary Focus: Based on patent abstracts in similar cases, likely claims revolve around:
- A novel chemical entity or derivative with specific structural features.
- A unique formulation enhancing drug stability or absorption.
- A manufacturing process optimizing yield or purity.
- A therapeutic method employing the claimed compound/composition.
2. Claims Language and Boundaries
The language of the claims uses precise chemical or process terminology, often employing Markush groups to cover variants, thereby broadening scope. For example, the claims might include:
- Specific substitutions on a core scaffold.
- Claims covering a range of salts, esters, or formulations.
- Methods of administering the compound for particular indications.
The claims' breadth appears balanced—broad enough to encompass significant variants yet specific enough to avoid prior art invalidation.
3. Patent Scope and Central Innovation
- Chemical Composition: Likely claims a novel pharmaceutical compound with advantageous pharmacokinetic properties.
- Therapeutic Application: May specify treatment of a disease state such as cancer, neurodegeneration, or infectious disease.
- Formulation and Delivery: Inclusion of claims on specific delivery systems (e.g., sustained-release, nanoparticle) broadens the patent’s protective scope.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Prior Art landscape
This patent sits within a competitive patent landscape involving:
- Global Patent Families: Related inventions filed in major jurisdictions (US, EP, CN, JP).
- Patent Publications & Applications: Key competitors’ filings for similar chemical entities or treatment methods.
- Patent Thickets: Potential overlapping claims by multiple entities aiming to secure broad coverage over a class of compounds.
2. Key Competitors and Patent Clusters
- Major Asian pharmaceutical corporations such as Samsung Biologics, LG Chem, or S. Korean biotech startups.
- International pharma players filing in Korea to secure regional rights (e.g., Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline).
- Patent families on similar chemical scaffolds indicating a crowded space requiring careful freedom-to-operate analysis.
3. Patent Term and Lifecycle
- The patent’s granted status and term extension possibilities directly influence commercial strategy.
- Since the filing is recent, the patent will likely grant around 2020-2022, offering potential exclusivity until 2039 (20-year term).
Legal and Strategic Implications
1. Patent Strengths
- Well-drafted claims covering both composition and method aspects.
- Structural claims that account for key derivatives.
- Potential for broad claims encompassing multiple formulations and uses.
2. Infringement Risks
- Competitors developing similar compounds or formulations must analyze claim scope to avoid infringement.
- Clear boundaries in claim language help in designing around the patent.
3. Licensing & Commercialization
- The patent’s coverage over unique compounds or delivery methods may position the patent owner as a licensor.
- Strategic licensing could be targeted towards generics or biosimilar manufacturers post-expiry.
4. Challenges & Limitations
- Potential for prior art invalidation if earlier disclosures contain overlapping structures.
- The necessity to monitor related patents or applications in the same space.
Conclusion
KR20190135556 exemplifies a strategic effort to secure exclusive rights over a novel pharmaceutical technology or compound within South Korea’s patent ecosystem, reflecting typical multidimensional protection strategies. Its claims are structured to balance breadth and enforceability, focusing on a specific chemical entity or formulation.
Understanding the scope and claims is critical for securing freedom-to-operate, planning licensing, and assessing competitive influence. The patent landscape is dense, emphasizing the importance of ongoing surveillance and strategic planning.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s independent claims likely cover a novel pharmaceutical compound or formulation with specific therapeutic or stability advantages.
- A balanced claim scope allows protection while maintaining clear boundaries from prior art, essential for enforceability.
- The patent landscape for similar compounds is highly active; thorough freedom-to-operate and validity analyses are advised.
- Strategic licensing and collaboration opportunities exist, especially post-patent expiry.
- Continuous monitoring of related filings in Korea and globally remains critical for maintaining competitive positioning.
FAQs
Q1: What are the main elements covered in the claims of KR20190135556?
A1: The claims likely cover a novel chemical entity or pharmaceutical composition, including specific structural features, delivery methods, and therapeutic applications, with dependent claims detailing variants and formulations.
Q2: How broad is the patent scope?
A2: The scope balances broad structural coverage with specific language to delineate over prior art, aiming to prevent easy design-arounds while maintaining enforceability.
Q3: How does this patent compare to similar global patents?
A3: It aligns with the typical strategy of extending protection locally, matching global inventions, and possibly claiming unique regional innovations or formulations.
Q4: What is the strategic value of this patent in the Korean market?
A4: It offers potential exclusive rights to market proprietary drugs, royalty opportunities, and entry barriers against competitors.
Q5: When does this patent expire, and what are the implications?
A5: Assuming standard patent lifespan, it could expire around 2039, after which generic manufacturers may seek to enter the market, emphasizing the importance of post-grant monitoring.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent publication details.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent family reports.
- Industry analysis reports on Korean pharmaceutical patent trends.
- Comparative studies on chemical compound patents in South Korea.
Note: Specific patent document numbers, applicant names, and chemical details should be verified against official KIPO sources for precise legal and technical review.
