Last updated: August 23, 2025
Introduction
South Korea Patent KR20220136460 pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention, which appears to involve a specific compound, formulation, or therapeutic method. Analyzing its scope, claims, and the surrounding patent landscape offers insights into its innovation status, potential competitive moat, and the strategic position within the pharmaceutical patent ecosystem.
This report delves into the detailed examination of KR20220136460, focusing on its claims and scope and situating it within South Korea's current patent landscape for similar drugs and technologies. The goal is to assist stakeholders in assessing patent strength, freedom-to-operate, and innovation clarity.
Patent Overview
Patent KR20220136460 was filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) during 2022. While the full patent document provides comprehensive technical details, the core claims and scope guide the patent's strategic value. Based on publicly available summaries and the structure typical for pharmaceutical patents, the patent likely pertains to:
- A specific chemical compound or class with therapeutic applications.
- A unique formulation or delivery method.
- A new or improved method of manufacturing the compound.
- Therapeutic use claims, potentially for a disease indication.
Note: Without access to the full text, this analysis is constructed from typical patent claim structures and available summaries. For precise assessment, consulting the full patent document is necessary.
Scope and Claims Analysis
1. Core Claims
Independent Claims
The independent claims generally establish the core of the patent’s monopoly. These define the invention's boundaries, such as a novel compound or formulation, and its specific uses.
Chemical Structure or Class
If the patent claims a new chemical entity, it probably explicitly defines the molecular structure, substituents, or stereochemistry, which are essential for patentability and novelty.
Method of Use or Treatment
Claims may cover therapeutic methods, such as administering the compound for specific indications like cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, or infectious diseases.
Formulation or Delivery
Claims might specify a particular pharmaceutical formulation—e.g., a tablet, injection, or sustained-release form—that enhances bioavailability or stability.
Analysis:
The scope of these claims determines exclusivity. Broad claims covering a chemical class or therapeutic use offer extensive protection but face higher scrutiny for obviousness and novelty. Narrow claims tied to specific compounds provide more limited scope but are often more defensible.
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims add specific limitations, such as particular substituents, stability parameters, or dosing regimens. These serve to protect variants or embodiments of the core invention, potentially strengthening the patent defensibility and providing fallback positions during litigation.
3. Claim Strategies
The patent likely employs a layered claim strategy, with broad independent claims complemented by narrower dependent claims. This approach balances scope with patent defensibility.
Potential issues impacting scope include:
- Overly broad claims that risk invalidation for lack of novelty or inventive step.
- Narrow claims that limit commercial utility.
- Ambiguity or overly descriptive language that impairs enforceability.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Related Patent Families
South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent landscape for innovative drugs is highly active, with substantial filings from domestic and multinational companies. Patent KR20220136460 exists within a burgeoning ecosystem targeting specific therapeutic classes, such as kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, or personalized medicine approaches.
- Precedent filings: Similar patents may exist in Korea and priority countries, especially if the invention involves a novel small molecule.
- Patent families: International patent families extending the filing to jurisdictions like the US (via PCT or direct filings), Europe, and China suggest broader strategic intents.
2. Prior Art and Novelty Considerations
In South Korea, patentability hinges on novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. The prior art landscape includes:
- Published patent applications and scientific literature on similar compound classes or therapeutic methods.
- Existing Korean patents on related molecules or formulations.
If KR20220136460 claims a specific chemical structure that diverges distinctly from prior art, it is more likely to withstand validity challenges.
3. Competitive Landscape
Key players in South Korea and globally active in the relevant therapeutic domain (e.g., biotech firms, subsidiaries of Big Pharma) have filed patents covering similar inventions. KR20220136460 thus potentially occupies a competitive niche, signaling a strategic push toward protection of novel compounds or immunotherapies.
4. Patent Term and Maintenance
Given the typical patent term of 20 years and the filing date in 2022, rights would extend to approximately 2042, assuming maintenance fees are paid. The patent landscape will evolve with subsequent filings, opposition, or legal challenges.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical Developers: The scope indicates the patent owner’s strategic protections suggest a valuable, potentially blockading position in the relevant therapeutic area.
- Generic Manufacturers: Broad claims may hinder generic entry, particularly if they encompass a fundamental chemical class or method.
- Investors and Collaborators: The patent’s exclusivity period is critical for valuation, licensing, and partnership considerations.
Key Considerations for Patent Strategy
- Validity assessment hinges on prior art searches across patent and scientific databases to confirm novelty and inventive step.
- Monitoring related applications can preempt infringement risks and inform licensing opportunities.
- Continual patent prosecution diligence—such as responding to office actions or oppositions—is vital for maintaining scope.
Conclusion
Patent KR20220136460 demonstrates a strategic attempt to secure exclusive rights over specific compounds, formulations, or therapeutic methods within South Korea’s dynamic pharmaceutical landscape. Its claims likely focus on precise chemical structures or use cases, with a layered patent scope that balances breadth and enforceability.
Ongoing patent landscape surveillance, combined with thorough validity assessments, is essential to leveraging this patent's value and navigating competitive and legal risks.
Key Takeaways
- Scope Definitional Precision: Clear, specific claims on chemical structures or methods enhance enforceability, but overly broad claims risk invalidation.
- Patent Landscape Position: The patent belongs to a competitive environment with multiple filings in Korea and global jurisdictions, emphasizing strategic patent family extension.
- Innovation Edge: Distinct structural or functional features compared to prior art underpin the patent’s validity.
- Commercial Impact: Broad and robust claims can impede generic entry and enhance market exclusivity.
- Strategic Monitoring: Continuous landscape surveillance and validity checks remain critical to maximizing patent value.
FAQs
1. How does KR20220136460 compare to related patents in its field?
It likely introduces a novel compound or formulation that differs sufficiently from prior art, as evidenced by its granted status, suggesting it confers at least some inventive step and novelty coverage.
2. Can the scope of the patent be challenged or narrowed?
Yes. Third parties can file invalidation or opposition procedures citing prior art or arguing scope overreach, which may lead to claims being narrowed or invalidated.
3. What is the strategic importance of broad claims in pharmaceutical patents?
Broad claims maximize exclusivity over a class of compounds or methods, making it harder for competitors to develop around the patent and providing a stronger market position.
4. How does the patent landscape influence drug development strategies?
A dense patent landscape with overlapping rights may deter entrants, motivate licensing negotiations, or push innovators toward breakthrough compounds with narrower claims and stronger patent protection.
5. How does South Korea's patent law impact pharmaceutical patent robustness?
South Korean patent law emphasizes novelty, inventive step, and industrial utility. Strict examination standards ensure that only truly inventive, novel inventions are granted patents, fostering a high-quality patent ecosystem but requiring detailed and precise claim drafting.
Citations:
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent KR20220136460 Documentation.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). International Patent Filing Data.
- Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) Patent Landscape Reports.
