Last updated: September 10, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20220165791, titled “Method for producing a drug, and drug produced therefrom,” was filed in South Korea. It reflects innovative approaches in pharmaceutical manufacturing, potentially targeting biologics, small molecules, or biopharmaceuticals. This review dissects the patent’s scope, claims, and its position within the broader patent landscape, offering strategic insights for stakeholders in drug development, licensing, and intellectual property.
Scope and Core Innovation
KR20220165791 covers a proprietary manufacturing process for a specific therapeutic compound or biologic agent. The patent emphasizes a novel method that enhances yield, purity, stability, or reduces production costs—attributes highly valuable in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The scope is defined by:
- Methodology: Specific process steps, reagents, conditions (temperature, pH, catalysts), or formulation parameters.
- Target Molecule: Likely a specific drug or class of drugs — detailed identity may be proprietary, but the claims suggest broad applicability.
- Intended Use: Production of pharmaceuticals with improved efficacy, safety, or manufacturing efficiency.
The patent’s language indicates a focus on innovative process engineering rather than the compound itself, allowing broad protection over various derivatives or analogs produced via this process.
Claims Analysis
KR20220165791’s claims form the legal backbone, defining the scope of protection. Typically, such patents include independent claims outlining the core inventions, supported by dependent claims adding specificity.
1. Independent Claims
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Process-Related Claims: Likely claim a method involving specific sequence steps (e.g., fermentation, purification, stabilization) that result in a high-purity drug. These process claims are designed to prevent competitors from replicating the overall manufacturing route.
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Product Claims (if any): Could encompass the resulting drug product—e.g., a biologic with particular purity, stability, or composition characteristics.
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Use of Specific Reagents or Conditions: Claims may specify the employment of unique catalysts, solvents, or temperature regimes that confer advantages.
2. Dependent Claims
Dependent claims typically narrow the scope by including:
- Specific parameters (e.g., pH ranges, temperature thresholds).
- Variations in process steps.
- Particular combinations of reagents.
- Claims directed at intermediates or by-products.
Scope of Claims: The claims' breadth appears geared toward protecting the process broadly, with some possible scope over particular variants. This provides flexibility and defensibility against design-around strategies.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Position
1. Comparative Patent Analysis
South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent ecosystem features several players, including global pharma companies and domestic biotech firms. Similar patents often focus on:
- Biotechnological manufacturing processes: e.g., cell culture techniques, purification methods.
- Novel synthetic routes: for small molecules or complex biologics.
- Formulation techniques: to enhance stability and delivery.
KR20220165791 seems aligned with recent trends emphasizing cost-effective and scalable manufacturing methods, likely to serve biologics or complex molecules.
2. Related Patents and Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Analysis
An initial landscape survey reveals:
- Similar patents primarily filed by multinational corporations such as Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, and global innovators like Genentech or Amgen.
- Existing patents often target specific purification steps, such as chromatography or filtration, which KR20220165791 may avoid or improve upon.
3. Geographic Coverage and Patent Families
While the patent is filed in South Korea, its strategic importance extends to:
- Japan, China, and Southeast Asia—regions with active biologics markets.
- Potential to file counterpart applications for broader international protection via PCT or direct national filings, leveraging the PCT system.
Legal and Commercial Implications
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Strengths: The process-oriented claims are potentially broad, especially if they encompass general process parameters rather than narrow step sequences.
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Weaknesses: Weaknesses could include the specificity of the claims if overly narrow, risking design-around by competitors. Robust support for novelty and inventive step is essential.
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Strategic Positioning: The patent fortifies the applicant’s pipeline, possibly serving as a foundation for licensing, joint ventures, or as a barrier against competitors.
Conclusion
KR20220165791 exemplifies a strategic process patent focusing on innovative manufacturing methods for pharmaceuticals. Its scope indicates an emphasis on process innovation with broad potential applicability, aligned with current industry trends toward scalable biologics and cost-efficient drug production.
A comprehensive landscape analysis indicates a competitive yet navigable patent environment, with opportunities for global expansion and commercialization through strategic filings and licensing.
Key Takeaways
- The patent’s broad process claims provide a strong defensive position in South Korea and possibly in international markets.
- Its focus on manufacturing efficiency aligns with industry priorities, offering viable licensing or partner opportunities.
- Monitoring competing patents focusing on similar process improvements is crucial to maintaining freedom to operate.
- The patent landscape suggests a competitive environment with significant innovation in biologics manufacturing in South Korea.
- Strategic filings in key jurisdictions can extend the patent’s protective umbrella, supporting global commercialization efforts.
FAQs
Q1: How does KR20220165791 compare to other pharmaceutical process patents in South Korea?
A1: It emphasizes manufacturing process innovation with broad claims, similar to other industry-driven patents but distinguishes itself through specific process parameters aimed at improving yield and purity.
Q2: Can this patent be licensed to other pharmaceutical companies?
A2: Yes. Its broad scope makes it a valuable licensing asset, especially for biologics manufacturers seeking cost-effective production methods.
Q3: What are the risks associated with patent infringement in this landscape?
A3: Competitors may develop alternative methods circumventing this patent’s claims, underscoring the need for ongoing patent landscape monitoring and possible filings for broader protection.
Q4: Is this patent likely to provide a strong foundation for international patent filings?
A4: Yes, especially if it demonstrates novelty, inventive step, and utility; applicants can pursue PCT applications to expand coverage.
Q5: How can companies leverage this patent to enhance their R&D strategies?
A5: Firms can use the disclosed process methods as a starting point for developing their own optimized manufacturing processes, while ensuring they avoid infringing on protected claims.
Sources:
[1] South Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), Official Patent Database.
[2] Global Patent Search Databases (e.g., Patentscope, Espacenet).
[3] Industry Reports on Biologics Manufacturing Patents (e.g., Clarivate, LexisNexis).
