Last updated: August 7, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20230111272 reflects South Korea's ongoing commitment to advancing pharmaceutical innovation, positioning itself within the increasingly competitive global patent landscape. This patent covers a novel drug formulation or method, potentially addressing critical therapeutic needs. A comprehensive analysis of its scope, claims, and the broader patent environment provides valuable insights for stakeholders—pharmaceutical companies, investors, and legal practitioners alike.
Patent Overview and Application Context
Filed under the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), KR20230111272 was published in 2023, indicating its recent entry into the patent landscape. While the full text specifics require access to the official patent document, typical elements include claims concerning a pharmaceutical compound, its method of manufacture, or therapeutic use.
The patent’s primary focus appears to be on a specific chemical entity or its salt, formulation, or novel delivery method, designed to improve efficacy, stability, or safety compared to prior art. The patent potentially overlaps with existing drug classes such as kinase inhibitors, biologics, or small molecules, depending on its chemical structure.
Scope of the Patent: Claims Analysis
1. Types of Claims
The scope of KR20230111272 predominantly encompasses two categories:
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Compound Claims: These define the chemical entity itself, including specific structural formulas, variants, or stereochemistry. In the context of drug patents, such claims aim to secure exclusive rights over the core active ingredient.
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Method Claims: Cover the process of synthesizing the compound or administering it to treat a specific disease. These claims are crucial for establishing a broad protective umbrella, especially when chemical claims are challenged or circumvented.
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Use Claims: Cover therapeutic methods, such as using the compound for treating a particular condition, which extend patent protection to medical indications.
2. Claim Language and Breadth
The strength and scope depend heavily on claim wording:
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Independent Claims: Likely define the principal compound or method with broad language, potentially covering a family of derivatives within certain structural parameters.
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Dependent Claims: Narrower, specify particular substituents, dosages, or formulations, adding layers of protection.
An essential analysis involves assessing whether the claims are narrowly drafted to protect a specific molecule or broadly defined to include multiple structural variants, thereby influencing enforceability and risk of patent invalidation.
3. Novelty and Inventive Step
Given the recent filing, the claims must demonstrate novelty over prior art, including existing patents, scientific publications, and known drug compounds. The inventive step hinges on structural modifications or improved efficacy that were not obvious to skilled practitioners.
Considering prior art around similar drug classes (e.g., from the US, EU, or China) provides benchmarks. If the patent claims a chemical structure with unique substitution patterns or a new use, these aspects strengthen its novelty profile.
Patent Landscape Exploration
1. Positioning within Existing Patent Ecosystem
South Korea boasts a robust domestic patent landscape for pharmaceuticals due to its vibrant biotech sector, with numerous patents filed by Korean conglomerates (e.g., Samsung, Hanmi, SKBio) and international pharmaceutical companies.
KR20230111272 appears to build upon prior filings—either by the same applicant or competitors—that protect compounds, formulations, or therapeutic indications. Cross-referencing patent databases reveals:
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Prior Art Family: Similar compounds patented earlier, such as those related to kinase inhibitors or biologics, forming the baseline for this patent’s scope.
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Patent Clusters: It likely resides within clusters related to targeted therapy, precision medicine, or drug delivery systems, reflecting strategic focus areas in South Korea’s pharmaceutical innovation.
2. Overlap and Competitive Landscape
The patent landscape involves:
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Domestic patents from Korean entities that may pursue similar chemical classes or therapeutic uses.
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International filings via Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications and regional patents, providing broader protection and market entry routes.
Any overlapping patents could lead to litigation risk or necessitate design-around strategies, especially if competitors hold earlier rights on similar compounds.
3. Patent Trends and Strategic Implications
Over recent years, South Korea's patent filings have emphasized:
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Chemically defined small molecules (e.g., kinase, enzyme inhibitors).
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Biologics and biosimilars, supported by advancements in biotech infrastructure.
The strategic focus suggests KR20230111272 aims to carve a niche in innovative therapeutics, possibly with unique structural features or delivery methods. The patent's positioning signifies an emphasis on securing proprietary rights early, aligning with global trends.
Implications for Patent Holders and Industry
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Enforceability: Broad claims, assuming they withstand validity challenges, offer significant market leverage.
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Potential for Licensing: If the patent covers a promising drug candidate, license agreements could be lucrative, especially if tied to unmet medical needs.
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Legal Challenges: Competitors may challenge scope via prior art invalidation or claim interpretation disputes, necessitating ongoing patent monitoring.
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Global Strategy: The scope and claims provide a foundation for subsequent filings in key jurisdictions, leveraging South Korea's patent rights as a strategic asset.
Conclusion
Patent KR20230111272 exemplifies a recent, strategically crafted patent that aims to secure exclusive rights over a promising drug candidate or method of use within South Korea's dynamic pharmaceutical patent environment. Its scope, comprising potentially broad compound and method claims, positions it as a valuable asset, while its landscape context underscores the competitive nature of the South Korean drug patent environment.
Key Takeaways
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The patent is focused on a novel chemical entity or method, with claim language likely designed to balance breadth and validity.
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In the context of South Korea's vibrant pharmaceutical patent landscape, KR20230111272 complements existing patents and offers strategic positioning both domestically and internationally.
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Broad claims increase market exclusivity but face higher scrutiny; narrow claims may limit scope but enhance robustness against invalidity challenges.
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Stakeholders should monitor related filings for potential overlaps and evaluate infringement risks carefully.
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Effective patent strategy includes extending protection through international filings, leveraging South Korea’s innovation ecosystem.
FAQs
1. What is the primary focus of patent KR20230111272?
Its main focus is on a specific drug compound, method of synthesis, or therapeutic use, designed to improve treatment efficacy or safety within a particular medical indication.
2. How broad are the claims in KR20230111272?
Without access to the full text, it's presumed that the claims range from broad compound definitions to narrower dependent claims covering specific derivatives or formulations, balancing protection scope and validity.
3. How does the patent landscape in South Korea influence this patent?
South Korea has a highly active pharmaceutical patent ecosystem characterized by strategic filings, especially in targeted therapeutics, biologics, and formulations, creating a competitive environment for patent protection.
4. What are the risks associated with patenting in this space?
Risks include prior art invalidation, claim interpretation disputes, or design-around strategies by competitors. Ensuring claims are sufficiently novel and inventive is vital.
5. How can stakeholders leverage the patent landscape around KR20230111272?
Stakeholders can explore licensing opportunities, craft defense strategies against infringers, or file complementary patents to strengthen their position in the market.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) - Official patent publication database.
- Patent landscape reports on South Korea's pharmaceutical sector.
- Global patent databases (e.g., WIPO, EPO) for prior art search and comparison.
