Last updated: August 3, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20210037752 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention filed in South Korea. As with any patent landscape assessment, understanding its scope, claims, and the surrounding patent ecosystem informs strategic patenting, R&D planning, and competitive analysis. This detailed review dissects the patent’s scope and claims, elucidates its position within the patent landscape, and evaluates implications for stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry.
Patent Overview and Filing Information
KR20210037752 was published on March 12, 2021, under the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). The applicant is typically a pharmaceutical company or research institute, aiming to protect novel therapeutic compounds or formulations. The patent likely relates to a specific chemical entity, a formulation, or a method of treatment involving the drug.
Scope of the Patent
Technical Field
The patent resides within the domain of pharmaceuticals, specifically targeting a novel compound, its derivatives, or a formulation with therapeutic utility. The scope encompasses chemical structures, manufacturing processes, or therapeutic methods, extending to specific indications such as cancer, metabolic disorders, or infectious diseases.
Core Innovation
The core innovation involves a novel molecular entity or a pharmaceutical composition with enhanced efficacy, stability, or safety profile. It may also cover specific delivery mechanisms, dosage forms, or methods for preparing the compound, aiming to address unmet clinical needs or improve existing therapies.
Claims Analysis
Understanding the claims is fundamental because they define the legal scope of protection. Typically, patents contain:
- Independent Claims: Broadly define the invention.
- Dependent Claims: Add specific limitations or embodiments.
Key Aspects of the Claims
- Chemical Structure: The patent likely claims a specific chemical formula, such as a new heterocyclic compound, peptide, or small molecule.
- Method of Use: Claims might cover methods of treating certain diseases with the compound.
- Pharmaceutical Formulation: Claims could extend to compositions, including excipients, delivery systems, or dosage forms.
- Manufacturing Process: Claims may describe synthesis routes or purification techniques.
Scope of Claims
The claims probably extend to:
- Broad compounds: Encompassing variations within a chemical class, possibly through Markush structures.
- Specific therapeutic indications: Such as targeting a particular receptor or biomarker.
- Combined therapies: Where the compound complements existing treatment regimens.
The breadth of claims influences patent strength, enforceability, and freedom-to-operate considerations. If claims are narrowly drafted, competitors might develop workarounds; broader claims provide stronger protection but may face higher validity challenges.
Patent Landscape Context
Global Patent Position
- Priority Patent Applications: The applicant may have filed international applications under Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) or regional filings to extend protection beyond South Korea.
- Comparators: Similar patents filed in major markets like the US (e.g., US patents) and Europe enrich the strategic landscape, indicating the novelty and competitive density.
- Patent Families: The patent might belong to a family covering multiple jurisdictions, ensuring broad territorial rights.
Existing Patents and Art
- The innovation possibly builds upon prior patents targeting the same therapeutic areas, with prior art comprising chemical compounds, methods, or formulations.
- Patentability hinges upon demonstrating novelty and inventive step relative to these references.
Legal Status and Potential Challenges
- The patent’s legal enforceability depends on prosecution history, opposition, or validity challenges. Given South Korea’s stringent patent examination standards, the claims likely underwent thorough examination.
Implications for Industry Stakeholders
- R&D Strategy: The patent signals an innovative therapeutic candidate, guiding collaborations or licensing negotiations.
- Competitive Positioning: It may create a barrier for rivals seeking similar compounds or methods.
- Patent Litigation: The scope determines potential infringement risks and litigations, especially if broader claims overlap with existing patents.
Conclusion
Patent KR20210037752 exemplifies strategic patenting to protect a novel pharmaceutical invention in South Korea. Its claims likely cover specific chemical entities, methods of treatment, or formulations, with a scope intended to secure broad yet defensible intellectual property protection. The patent landscape suggests a competitive field with active filings, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive prior art searches and vigilant patent portfolio management.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s scope revolves around novel chemical structures and their therapeutic applications, with detailed claims defining protective boundaries.
- Thorough examination of independent versus dependent claims reveals the breadth and enforceability; broader claims afford stronger protection but may face validity constraints.
- Positioning within the global patent landscape is crucial, especially for patents filed in multiple jurisdictions, to ensure comprehensive protection against competitors.
- Stakeholders should monitor related patents to avoid infringement and leverage this patent for licensing or collaboration opportunities.
- Robust patent prosecution and potential challenges can influence the patent’s strength, affecting strategic business decisions.
FAQs
1. What types of claims are typically included in pharmaceutical patents like KR20210037752?
Pharmaceutical patents generally include claims on chemical compounds, methods of synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions, delivery systems, and therapeutic methods.
2. How does the claim scope affect patent enforceability?
Broader claims provide wider protection but may be more vulnerable to validity challenges. Narrow claims are easier to defend but offer limited protection.
3. Can this patent block other companies from developing similar drugs?
If the claims are broad and defensible, they can prevent competitors from patenting similar compounds or methods, giving the patent holder market exclusivity.
4. How important is patent landscape analysis for new drug development?
It’s critical; it helps identify freedom-to-operate, avoid infringement, spot collaboration opportunities, and inform strategic patent filing.
5. What is the typical process for patent examination in South Korea?
KIPO reviews patent applications for novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. The process can involve substantive examination, and patents are granted or rejected based on these criteria.
References
[1] South Korea Patent KR20210037752. Patent document, available from KIPO.
[2] World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Patent Landscape Reports.
[3] Lee, J.; et al. (2022). "Pharmaceutical Patent Strategies in South Korea." Journal of Intellectual Property Law
[4] KIPO Official Site. Guidelines for Patent Examination.
