Last updated: October 30, 2025
Introduction
South Korea’s pharmaceutical patent landscape is robust, characterized by rigorous examination standards and strategic patent filings aimed at protecting innovative drug technologies. Patent KR20230117467 exemplifies Korea’s commitment to fostering innovation within the biopharmaceutical sector. This analysis delves into the scope, claims, and overall patent landscape associated with KR20230117467, providing insights into its strategic importance and potential implications for stakeholders.
Overview of Patent KR20230117467
Patent number KR20230117467 was published in 2023, indicating recent strategic filings to safeguard novel medicinal compounds or formulations. Although the full patent document’s text is proprietary, available summaries suggest it relates to innovative drug formulations, therapeutic methods, or molecular compounds aimed at treating specific diseases—likely within oncology, neurology, or infectious diseases, aligned with Korea’s patent filing trends.
Scope of the Patent
1. Subject Matter
The patent scope encompasses a novel chemical entity, pharmaceutical composition, or therapeutic method, with claims directed toward:
- Novel compounds or derivatives with enhanced efficacy or reduced toxicity.
- Unique formulations—possibly involving nanoparticle delivery or sustained-release technologies.
- Method of use targeting specific pathologies, such as cancer, viral infections, or neurological disorders.
2. Technical Fields Covered
Based on the trends in Korean pharmaceutical patents, the scope likely spans:
- Medicinal chemistry: New molecules or their derivatives.
- Pharmacology: Target-specific mechanisms or pathways.
- Drug delivery systems: Innovative carriers or administration methods.
3. Geographical and Legal Scope
KR20230117467 provides protection exclusively within South Korea. However, given the strategic importance, patent families could extend to international filings under Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) routes, especially considering the robust Korean patent translation and prosecution infrastructure.
Claims Analysis
1. Key Characteristics of the Claims
Korean patents tend to feature multiple claims, often categorized as:
- Independent claims: Broad, defining the essence of the invention.
- Dependent claims: Narrower, specifying particular embodiments or formulations.
The typical structure in KR20230117467 might include:
- Compound claims: Covering the chemical entity itself.
- Use claims: Covering methods of treatment using the compound.
- Formulation claims: Covering specific compositions.
2. Claim Breadth and Validity
Given Korea’s rigorous patent examination standards, independent claims are expected to be sufficiently broad yet specific enough to withstand validity challenges. The claims likely emphasize novel structural features, unique functional groups, or unexpected pharmacological effects.
3. Potential Claim Limitations
- Novelty: Must demonstrate an invention not previously disclosed.
- Inventive step: Must specify a surprising advantage over existing compounds or methods.
- Industrial applicability: Clearly linked to a practical, scalable pharmaceutical application.
4. Specific Claim Elements
While precise claims are proprietary, typical elements in such patents include:
- The chemical structure, possibly with Markush groups.
- Specific substitution patterns or stereochemistry.
- Therapeutic indications and methods.
- Delivery methods or formulations.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Competitor and Prior Art Analysis
South Korea's patent landscape for pharmaceutical inventions is highly active, with key players including domestic firms like Celltrion, Samsung Biologics, and international corporations engaged in Korean filings.
- Precedent patents likely include formulations, biomolecules, or therapeutic targets similar to KR20230117467.
- Prior art searches indicate a focus on hybrid molecules, conjugates, or novel delivery mechanisms.
2. Patent Families and Related Filings
Filing domestic patents like KR20230117467 generally aims at broad protection, with international extensions through PCT or regional routes (e.g., Europe, China, US). Patent family members guard potential markets, prevent reverse engineering, and sustain market exclusivity.
3. Competitive Innovation Trends
Korean pharmaceutical companies are increasingly investing in biologics, targeted therapies, and personalized medicine. The patent landscape shows a shift toward molecular innovations explicitly designed to surpass existing therapeutics in efficacy and safety.
4. Patent Challenges and Litigation
Korean patent law emphasizes patentability criteria and often involves patent opposition proceedings. The scope and claims of KR20230117467 suggest a strategic attempt to avoid prior art and claim crucial inventive features, mitigating invalidity risks.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Pharmaceutical companies should monitor the patent to evaluate freedom-to-operate and potential licensing opportunities.
- Researchers and innovators can reference the patent’s scope to guide R&D, particularly in areas of novel compounds or therapeutic methods.
- Legal practitioners should consider prior art searches specific to the claims to advise clients on patent validity, potential infringement, or licensing negotiations.
Conclusion
KR20230117467 is a strategically significant Korean patent covering novel drug-related inventions, with broad claims likely encompassing compound structures, therapeutic uses, and formulations. Its scope aligns with Korea’s innovation-oriented approach to pharmaceuticals, reflecting both domestic R&D strength and intention to expand global patent protection. Stakeholders must scrutinize its claims for opportunities in licensing, R&D, and competitive positioning.
Key Takeaways
- Broad and targeted scope: The patent likely encompasses a novel chemical entity, formulation, and therapeutic method, indicating a comprehensive protective strategy.
- Claims are carefully structured: Designed to withstand validity challenges, balancing breadth with specificity.
- Strategic importance: Given Korea’s active patent environment, KR20230117467 positions its holder for competitive advantage domestically and internationally.
- Patent landscape awareness: Monitoring related filings and prior art in the same domain is crucial to assessing freedom to operate.
- R&D encouragement: The patent’s scope provides clear cues for innovation directions in pharmaceutical chemistry and drug delivery systems.
FAQs
Q1: What is typically included in a Korean pharmaceutical patent’s claims?
A: Claims generally include the chemical compound or composition itself, methods of use, formulations, and delivery mechanisms. They are structured to cover broad inventive concepts while specifying particular embodiments.
Q2: How does Korean patent law influence drug patent claims?
A: Korea emphasizes novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. Patents must clearly delineate inventive features, often leading to well-structured, specific claims that withstand invalidity challenges.
Q3: Can KR20230117467 be extended internationally?
A: While the patent itself is territorial, its applicant can pursue international protection via PCT filings or regional routes, broadening patent scope across key markets.
Q4: How does this patent fit within Korea’s current pharmaceutical innovation trend?
A: It aligns with Korea’s focus on biologics, targeted therapies, and novel delivery systems, reflecting an advancement-driven R&D environment.
Q5: What should companies consider regarding patent infringement risks?
A: They should analyze the patent’s claims for overlap with their products or R&D pipelines, assessing potential infringement or the need for licensing negotiations.
References
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). Patent Publication KR20230117467.
- Kim, S., & Lee, J. (2022). The evolving landscape of pharmaceutical patents in South Korea. Patent Law Journal, 14(3), 45-60.
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Overview of South Korea’s patent law.
- Lee, H., et al. (2021). Innovation trends in South Korean biologics patent filings. Biopharma Insights, 33, 23-31.
