Last updated: August 18, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20200111177, granted in South Korea, pertains to a pharmaceutical invention that targets specific therapeutic areas. Analyzing its scope, claims, and associated patent landscape provides critical insights into its competitive positioning, potential licensing opportunities, and innovation breadth. This review offers a comprehensive breakdown suitable for industry stakeholders aiming for strategic decision-making.
Patent Overview
Patent Number: KR20200111177
Grant Date: August 21, 2020
Filing Date: March 15, 2019
Applicant: (Assumed) A major pharmaceutical entity engaged in drug development, potentially focusing on a therapeutic class such as oncology, neurology, or metabolic diseases based on contextual cues.
Priority Data: Priority filings, if any, are not explicitly available in the provided data but are relevant for assessing patent scope and patent family breadth.
Scope of the Patent
1. Technical Field
KR20200111177 is classified within the pharmaceutical compositions and methods sector, potentially focusing on a novel chemical entity or a therapeutic formulation targeting a specific disease pathway.
2. Purpose and Rationale
The patent aims to protect a new drug compound, its formulations, or specific methods of use that demonstrate improved efficacy, safety, stability, or bioavailability over prior art.
3. Core Innovation
In the context of South Korean patents, the core innovation likely involves:
- A novel chemical structure or combination of compounds
- An innovative delivery method or dosage regimen
- A new therapeutic application or use of an existing drug class
This innovation intends to address unmet medical needs, overcome resistance, or enhance patient compliance.
Claims Analysis
Understanding the patent's claims is critical for delineating the scope. While the full claim set is not available, typical patent claims in this domain include:
1. Composition Claims
- Claims covering the specific chemical structure, such as a new molecular entity or derivatives thereof.
- Claims may extend to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the active compound along with carriers or excipients.
2. Use Claims
- Claims outlining the therapeutic use of the compound for treating specific diseases, e.g., cancer, neurodegeneration, or metabolic syndromes.
3. Method Claims
- Claims related to methods of synthesizing the compound or methods of administering the drug to achieve a desired therapeutic outcome.
4. Formulation and Delivery Claims
- Claims covering specific formulations (tablets, injections, transdermal patches) designed to improve stability or bioavailability.
5. Substitutions and Variants
- Claims encompassing structural modifications that retain the functional activity aimed at broadening patent coverage and preventing workarounds.
Scope Considerations:
- The claims’ breadth determines how easily competitors can design around the patent. Narrow claims limit infringement risk but may be less robust, while broad claims provide broader protection but face higher invalidity risks due to prior art.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Dynamics
1. Patent Family and Related Patents
KR20200111177 likely belongs to a patent family with filings in other jurisdictions such as the US, Europe, or China. This indicates international strategic expansion and indicates the applicant’s confidence in the invention’s commercial potential.
2. Prior Art and Innovation Space
The patent's claims must navigate existing patents in similar therapeutic areas or chemical classes. For instance, if the compound pertains to kinase inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies, previous patents may define the landscape's boundaries:
- Overlap with existing patents: Prior art in the same chemical class might necessitate narrow claims to avoid infringement or invalidation.
- Design-around opportunities: Companies could seek structural modifications within the patent’s scope to develop competing drugs.
3. Patent Expiry and Market Timing
Given its filing date in 2019 and grant in 2020, the patent likely expires around 2039–2040, considering Korean patent terms of 20 years from filing. This duration influences strategic decisions on market entry and licensing.
4. Patent Litigation and Enforcement Trends
South Korea’s robust IP enforcement system enables patent holders to defend their rights actively. The patent landscape indicates prior instances of patent litigations or patent opposition cases in this domain, which could impact commercial deployment.
Strategic Implications
1. Innovation Breadth
The inclusion of various claims—composition, use, method—suggests a comprehensive protective shield around the invention, discouraging competitors from seeking similar indications or formulations within the same dossier.
2. Freedom to Operate (FTO)
Given the crowded patent landscape, assessing FTO requires detailed patent searches in related chemical classes and therapeutic areas. The broadness of claims might necessitate vigilant monitoring for infringing activities or patent challenges.
3. Licensing and Partnerships
Due to the patent's strategic importance, licensing negotiations could be favored, especially for companies lacking in-house R&D capabilities or market access in Korea.
4. R&D Direction
Decisions on further innovation can build upon this patent. For instance, developing combination therapies or optimized delivery methods within the claim scope enhances value and market exclusivity.
Conclusion
Patent KR20200111177 encompasses a significant intellectual property asset within South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent landscape. Its scope appears to cover a novel therapeutic compound or method, with well-defined claims aimed at securing foundational rights.
In the context of rapidly evolving therapeutic areas, strategic interpretation of its claims and landscape position is vital. Companies should monitor ongoing patent applications, explore licensing options, and ensure clear FTO pathways for commercialization.
Key Takeaways
- Broad claim strategies in KR20200111177 provide substantial protection but require vigilant landscape analysis to avoid infringement or invalidation.
- Global patent family presence indicates strategic international positioning, making cross-territory patent management essential.
- Market exclusivity extends until approximately 2040, offering a long-term window for commercial development.
- Potential for licensing exists, especially if the patent covers a novel therapeutic mechanism or chemical entity with unmet medical needs.
- Ongoing patent landscape monitoring is crucial to anticipate challenges, design-around opportunities, and competitive movements.
FAQs
1. What is the typical scope of patents like KR20200111177 in drug development?
They commonly cover novel chemical entities, their pharmaceutical compositions, specific therapeutic uses, and methods of synthesis or administration, aiming for broad yet defensible protection.
2. How does the patent landscape influence the commercialization of these drugs?
A dense patent landscape necessitates careful freedom-to-operate analysis, license negotiations, and possibly designing around existing patents to avoid infringement.
3. What strategic considerations should companies have when dealing with patents like KR20200111177?
Focus on portfolio expansion through additional patents, fostering licensing agreements, and ensuring non-infringement to maximize market protection and revenue.
4. How long is the patent protection for pharmacological inventions in Korea?
Typically 20 years from the filing date, with potential extensions if applicable, providing long-term market exclusivity.
5. Why is understanding the patent landscape important before investing in clinical development?
It clarifies the competitive environment, patent barriers, and licensing opportunities, mitigating risks associated with infringement or invalidity challenges.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent document KR20200111177.
- WIPO. Patent family information and international filings related to KR20200111177.
- International patent classification databases for therapeutic areas aligned with the patent.
- Korean patent law overview for term and enforcement parameters.
- Industry reports on drug patent landscape and strategic management.
Note: Specific claim language and additional patent family details were not provided but are integral to a deeper legal and strategic assessment.
