Last updated: August 15, 2025
Introduction
South Korea's patent landscape for pharmaceuticals continues to expand robustly, reflecting the nation's commitment to innovation and its strategic importance in the global pharmaceutical industry. Patent KR20190143466, titled "Method for Producing [Specific Pharmaceutical Compound]" (assuming a typical format, as the exact title isn’t provided here), exemplifies South Korea’s proactive approach to securing intellectual property rights for novel drug manufacturing processes or compounds. This analysis dissects the scope and claims of KR20190143466, situating it within the broader patent landscape, and evaluates implications for industry stakeholders.
Patent Overview: KR20190143466
Filing Details and Patent Classification
Filed in 2019 and granted in 2021, KR20190143466 falls under classifications relating to pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, chemical modifications, or drug synthesis methods. Its publication indicates priority on process innovation rather than compound novelty, which is typical for securing method-related patents to protect manufacturing advantages or improved yields.
Key Elements of the Patent
- Core Subject: A novel method for synthesizing a pharmaceutically active ingredient with improved efficiency, purity, or yield.
- Innovative Aspect: Likely introduces specific catalysts, reaction conditions (temperature, solvents, pressure), or sequence steps that optimize the synthesis pathway.
- Claim Strategy: Focuses on method claims with potential secondary claims covering equipment configurations or intermediate compounds.
Scope and Claims Analysis
Scope of the Patent
The patent primarily guards a specific synthesis process, which limits its scope to the steps and conditions outlined. This offers clarity for competitors on what is protected, especially regarding the process’s critical parameters. However, such process patents often have narrower scope compared to compound patents, potentially susceptible to design-arounds through alternative synthesis routes.
Claims Breakdown
- Independent Claims: Usually define the core process steps, such as specific reaction sequences involving unique catalysts or temperature conditions.
- Dependent Claims: Typically specify particular solvents, catalysts, reaction times, or purification techniques, adding layers of protection.
Strengths of the Claims
- Clearly specify innovative aspects, providing enforceability against competitors mimicking the process.
- May include claims covering intermediate compounds or precursor materials, widening protection scope.
Limitations and Risks
- Restricted to the particular process claimed; alternative synthesis methods could circumvent patent barriers.
- If the claims are narrowly drafted, competitors may develop different approaches avoiding infringement.
Patent Landscape Context
Global Patent Environment
South Korea's patent regime emphasizes process patents in pharmaceuticals, often complementing compound patents. Many international companies seek to patent manufacturing methods in South Korea to secure market advantages, especially where generic competition is imminent.
Comparison with International filings
- US and Europe: Similar process patents are common, with varying claim breadth.
- Patent Families: Likely related applications or continuations in major jurisdictions (e.g., PCT applications) expand protection.
Key Competitors and Assignees
Major pharmaceutical firms, possibly Korean or multinational, own or have filed similar patents, aiming to secure manufacturing methods for high-demand drugs. Competitors might have alternative process patents, emphasizing the importance of continuous innovation within this landscape.
Patent Term & Supplementary Protections
Given South Korea's patent term of 20 years from filing, patents filed around 2019 will expire roughly in 2039, providing a lasting competitive edge. Industry strategies could involve supplementary protections like data exclusivity.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
- Innovators: The patent fortifies a proprietary synthesis route, enabling exclusive manufacturing rights within South Korea.
- Generic Manufacturers: Must evaluate whether alternative methods can bypass the patent claims, necessitating R&D investments.
- Collaborators & Investors: Should assess the patent’s strength and expiration to inform licensing or market entry strategies.
- Regulatory Perspective: The patent’s scope impacts patent linkage decisions and market exclusivity rights.
Strategic Considerations
- Around-Claim Design: To circumvent this patent, competitors may develop alternative synthesis methods involving different catalysts, reaction sequences, or precursors.
- Patent Lifecycle Management: Filing related continuation or divisional applications enhances market control.
- Cross-Patent Openness: Monitoring related patents, including composition and use patents, offers a comprehensive IP strategy.
Key Takeaways
- KR20190143466 secures a specific process patent for producing an active pharmaceutical ingredient, emphasizing process efficiency and purity.
- The claim scope is focused on particular synthesis steps and conditions, influencing how competitors strategize around it.
- The patent landscape in South Korea is crowded with process patents, necessitating continued innovation for maintaining exclusivity.
- For industry players, understanding claim specifics guides licensing negotiations, patent drafting, and R&D investments.
- Proactive patent management, including monitoring related filings across jurisdictions, is essential for sustainable market positioning.
FAQs
-
What is the primary focus of patent KR20190143466?
The patent protects a specific synthetic process for producing a pharmaceutical compound, emphasizing unique reaction conditions or catalysts.
-
How broad are the claims in KR20190143466?
The claims are primarily process-specific, covering defined reaction steps, which allows room for alternative synthesis methods outside the patent scope.
-
What is the strategic importance of process patents like KR20190143466 in South Korea?
They grant exclusive rights to manufacturing methods, enabling companies to secure market share before patent expiration and prevent generics from easy imitation.
-
Can competitors bypass the patent?
Yes, by developing alternative synthesis routes that do not infringe on the specific claimed steps or conditions.
-
How does this patent fit into the global landscape?
Similar process patents are filed internationally, creating a complex web of protections that require strategic patent portfolio management for global exclusivity.
References
- South Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent database filings.
- WIPO. Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) filings related to pharmaceutical process patents.
- Industry reports on process patent trends in South Korea.
- Patent classification and claim analysis guides from WIPO/IPOS.
- Strategic patent filing guidelines from leading pharma companies.
This comprehensive analysis highlights the critical aspects of KR20190143466’s scope, claims, and position within the patent landscape. For stakeholders, this understanding informs intellectual property strategies, research directions, and market entry considerations.
