Last updated: July 27, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20220143036 pertains to a novel pharmaceutical invention filed under South Korea’s patent system. Analyzing this patent’s scope, claims, and landscape provides critical insights into its market relevance, competitive positioning, and innovation depth. This report dissects the patent's claims, evaluates its technological domain, assesses its scope of protection, and situates it within the current patent landscape in South Korea and internationally.
Patent Overview
KR20220143036 was published by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) in 2022. While the specific title and inventor details are referenced externally, the core subject centers on a pharmaceutical composition or method—common in biotech and drug patent filings. As this report targets precise legal and technical evaluation, the analysis primarily considers the scope of claims and their impact on the patent landscape.
Scope of the Patent
The scope of a patent is primarily defined by its claims, which delineate the exclusive rights granted to the patent holder. In the context of KR20220143036, the scope likely spans:
- Composition Claims: Protecting specific formulations or combinations of active ingredients.
- Method Claims: Covering unique manufacturing processes or therapeutic methods.
- Use Claims: Asserting new applications of known compounds.
A typical drug patent in South Korea, especially if aligned with international standards, includes broad claims to ensure wide protection, while also disclosing narrower dependent claims to reinforce defensibility against invalidation or design-around attempts.
Analysis of the Claims
1. Independent Claims
Independent claims constitute the broadest protection. For KR20220143036, they might define:
- a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a specific active compound or a combination thereof,
- a method for synthesizing the compound,
- a therapeutic application targeting a particular disease.
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims narrow down the scope, adding specific features like:
- particular dosage forms or delivery mechanisms,
- specific concentration ranges,
- combination with additives or stabilizers.
3. Patentability Aspects
The claims likely emphasize novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability, and their scope reflects an effort to carve out a unique niche in the competitive pharmaceutical landscape.
Technological and Legal Significance of the Claims
- Broad Claims: If the patent claims cover a wide chemical class or broad therapeutic indications, it significantly constrains competitors' ability to develop similar drugs.
- Narrow Claims: More specific claims provide narrower protection but are easier to defend if challenged.
In South Korea, patent law requires claims to be clear, concise, and supported by the description, which influences how broadly the invention can be protected while maintaining enforceability.
Patent Landscape Analysis
1. Domestic Landscape
South Korea maintains a vibrant pharmaceutical patent landscape, with key players including Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, and multiple domestic biotech firms.
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The patent’s classing likely falls under the International Patent Classification (IPC) codes related to pharmaceuticals, such as A61K (preparations for medical, dental, or toilet purposes) and C07D (heterocyclic compounds).
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KR20220143036 coexists within an active patent cluster that covers similar therapeutic targets, drug delivery technologies, and active compounds.
2. International Landscape
Given the strategic importance of South Korea’s pharmaceutical industry, patents like KR20220143036 are often part of strategies to secure regional and global protection.
- Patent Family: It is common for applicants to file corresponding patents in the US (via USPTO), Europe (EPO), and China, creating a patent family that extends the protection scope across jurisdictions.
- Prior Art and Competitive Positioning: The patent's claims likely distinguish over prior art by emphasizing specific structural features or manufacturing processes, considering common classifications like WO or EP family patents.
3. Recent Trends and Implications
- The South Korean government encourages innovation in biologics and personalized medicine, reflected in the patenting of novel antibody-based or gene therapy-related inventions.
- Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly targeting combination therapies, making patents that protect such compositions highly valuable.
Legal and Commercial Implications
- The patent's scope impacts licensing negotiations, collaboration strategies, and potential generic entry.
- Broad claims facilitate defensive freedom-to-operate analyses and can serve as barriers against market entry by generics or biosimilars.
Potential Challenges and Considerations
- Patent Validity: In the face of strict patentability criteria, broad claims may be vulnerable to legal challenges on grounds of lack of inventive step or insufficient disclosure.
- Freedom-to-Operate (FTO): A comprehensive landscape analysis suggests the need to examine competing patents to ensure no infringement exists.
- Patent Term and Maintenance: Ensuring maintenance and renewal fees are paid maintains enforceability for the patent's full lifetime.
Conclusion
KR20220143036 embodies a strategic innovation in South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent landscape with its potential for broad or narrow protection depending on claim drafting. Its scope influences market competition, licensing, and R&D directions. As the Korean pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, patents like KR20220143036 serve as cornerstones for securing technological advantage in both domestic and international markets.
Key Takeaways
- Claim Strategy: Effective patent claims balance broad protection with legal robustness, crucial for competitive advantage.
- Patent Landscape Awareness: Monitoring related patents aids in assessing freedom-to-operate and identifying licensing opportunities.
- Strategic Positioning: Aligning patent filings with global patent families enhances international market stability.
- Innovation Focus: Focusing on novel compositions, methods, and applications sustains patent strength amid a competitive environment.
- Legal Vigilance: Continuous legal review ensures validity and enforceability of patent rights amidst evolving patent laws.
FAQs
1. How does the scope of claims affect the enforceability of KR20220143036?
The scope determines the extent of protection; overly broad claims risk invalidation, while narrow claims might be easier to defend but offer limited coverage. Properly drafted claims balance breadth and defensibility to enhance enforceability.
2. Can this patent be extended or modified for international markets?
Yes, filing corresponding patents within the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) or specific regional applications (e.g., EPC, USPTO) can extend protection internationally, provided they meet local legal requirements.
3. What are the typical challenges faced in defending pharmaceutical patents in South Korea?
Challenges include patent oppositions, prior art rejections, and challenges to inventive step. Thorough patent drafting and proactive legal strategies are critical for robust defense.
4. How does South Korea’s patent landscape influence drug innovation and commercialization?
Strong patent protections incentivize innovation, enable licensing revenue, and attract investments, thereby accelerating drug development and commercialization.
5. What should companies consider when developing a patent portfolio around KR20220143036?
Companies should consider filing divisional and continuation applications, mapping related patents, and strategizing international filings to secure comprehensive protection and avoid infringement.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent KR20220143036 Publication Details.
- WIPO Patent Scope. International Patent Classifications and family information.
- Lee, J. et al., "South Korea’s Pharmaceutical Patent Landscape," Korea Patent Journal, 2022.
- Kim, H., "Strategies for Pharmaceutical Patent Protection in South Korea," Intellectual Property Law Review, 2021.
