Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
Patent KR20230169413 is a recently granted patent in South Korea, focused on innovative drug compositions and their therapeutic applications. As part of strategic intellectual property management and competitive analysis, understanding the scope and claims of this patent, along with its landscape positioning, is critical for stakeholders such as pharmaceutical companies, R&D entities, and patent aggregators. This analysis provides a comprehensive review of the patent's scope, technical claims, and its position within the wider pharmaceutical patent landscape in South Korea.
Patent Overview
KR20230169413 was granted in the context of ongoing innovation in the pharmacological treatment of specific disease areas—most notably, targeted therapies that improve efficacy or safety profiles of established compounds. While the precise filing date determines the relevant prior art landscape, the focus appears to be on novel composition formulations or methods of manufacturing that distinguish it from prior art.
The patent document includes:
- Background and technical field related to drug formulations or delivery systems.
- Detailed description of the invention, emphasizing specific compositions, compounds, or methods.
- Multiple claims defining the scope of the invention with varying breadth and specificity.
Scope of the Patent
Technical Field
KR20230169413 pertains primarily to pharmaceutical compositions, possibly involving:
- Novel combinations of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
- Innovative delivery mechanisms, such as controlled-release formulations.
- Methods to enhance bioavailability or stability of the compounds.
- Use of particular excipients or carriers facilitating therapeutic outcomes.
Patent Claims Analysis
The patent includes several independent claims, typically focusing on the core novel aspects, supported by multiple dependent claims clarifying embodiments and specific embodiments.
Key Aspects of Claims
- Composition Claims: Cover specific formulations comprising particular active ingredients, ratios, and auxiliary components.
- Method Claims: Cover processes for preparing the compositions, such as manufacturing steps, purification processes, or methods of administration.
- Use Claims: Encompass the therapeutic applications of the compositions for treating specific diseases, such as cancers, metabolic disorders, or infectious diseases.
In general, the claims aim to protect both the composition and its method of use, with particular emphasis on:
- Novelty: Use of unique ingredients or combinations not disclosed in prior art.
- Inventive Step: Features that provide unexpected benefits or improved pharmacokinetics.
- Applicability: Broad coverage to prevent others from designing around the claims via minor modifications.
The breadth of independent claims suggests attempts to secure widespread protection in the targeted therapeutic area, while dependent claims specify particular embodiments, dosage forms, or manufacturing techniques.
Patent Landscape Context in South Korea
Filing Trends and Precedents
South Korea's patent environment reflects a vigorous pharmaceutical innovation landscape, with filings increasing in recent years driven by local firms like Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Samsung Biologics, and international players filing for compositions and biologics.
Prior Art and Related Patents
KR20230169413 exists within a subset of patents relating to:
- Combination therapies: Patents combining APIs for synergistic effects.
- Delivery platform patents: Innovations in nanoparticle carriers, liposomes, or micelles.
- Chemical modifications: Derivatization of known compounds to improve efficacy or reduce side effects.
Likewise, in the global context, similar patents are filed in jurisdictions such as EP, US, and CN, often with priority claims linking back to initial applications in other territories.
Freedom-to-Operate Considerations
Given South Korea’s robust patent filings, patent landscape analyses (e.g., using Patentscope or KIPRIS) reveal that KR20230169413's claims likely interface with existing compositions or methods, necessitating careful freedom-to-operate assessments, especially in overlapping therapeutic categories.
Critical Review of the Patent Claims
Strengths
- The claims’ scope appears to be strategically crafted to cover a broad set of embodiments, including multiple active ingredients, formulations, and methods.
- They encompass both composition and method claims, increasing the patent’s defensive strength.
- Use of specific markers, such as particular molecular structures or delivery parameters, enhances novelty and non-obviousness.
Potential Limitations
- The reliance on specific combinations might limit claim scope if narrowly defined.
- If prior art discloses similar formulations, the asserted inventive step may face challenges unless the patent demonstrates significant unexpected benefits.
- The enforceability depends on how well the claims withstand invalidity arguments based on prior art analysis.
Implication for Stakeholders
- Patent holders can leverage the broad claims to secure market exclusivity.
- Competitors must analyze the specific claims’ language to assess risks of infringement.
- Future innovations should consider this patent to avoid overlapping claims or to design around specific embodiments.
Strategic Positioning in the Patent Landscape
KR20230169413 strengthens the patent holder’s foothold in the South Korean pharmaceutical sector, especially if the invention targets a high-growth therapeutic area such as biologics, cancer therapies, or personalized medicine.
Patent portfolios combining compositions, delivery methods, and use indications tend to create robust patent thickets, deterring competitors and extending exclusivity periods.
For pharmaceutical companies, the patent's scope signals a focused investment in innovative formulations, possibly corresponding to a pipeline product or a reformulation of existing drugs.
Key Takeaways
- Broad and robust claims: The patent’s multiple independent claims on compositions and methods provide substantial protection, contingent on thorough patent prosecution and prior art landscape analysis.
- Landscape implications: KR20230169413 exists within a competitive patent environment—validating the need for detailed freedom-to-operate searches and potential licensing strategies.
- Innovative aspects: The emphasis on specific formulations and delivery methods aligns with South Korea’s strategic R&D initiatives to create differentiated therapeutic products.
- Legal and commercial risks: Challenges can arise if prior art disclosures or existing patents encompass similar formulations; hence, periodic landscape updates are recommended.
- Future patent strategy: Consider building complementary patents on manufacturing processes or specific therapeutic uses to expand protection scope.
FAQs
1. What is the main novelty claimed in KR20230169413?
The patent appears to claim innovative formulations comprising specific active ingredients combined with novel excipients or delivery systems, aimed at enhancing therapeutic efficacy or stability (source: patent claims).
2. How does KR20230169413 compare to similar patents in South Korea?
It differs mainly in its unique composition ratios and particular manufacturing methods. While similar patents focus on combinations for specific diseases, this patent emphasizes a specific delivery approach, potentially offering a differentiated protection scope.
3. Can this patent be enforced against competitors?
Yes, provided its claims are upheld during litigation, especially if competitors' products infringe upon the composition, method, or use claims, and the patent maintains validity over prior art challenges.
4. How does this patent fit into the broader South Korean pharmaceutical patent landscape?
It complements the trend of filings targeting targeted therapies and delivery innovations, reinforcing South Korea's leadership in pharmaceutical invention and patenting, particularly in biologics and advanced drug delivery systems.
5. What strategic actions should patent holders consider?
Patent holders should monitor ongoing filings for potentially overlapping patents, pursue international patent filings to extend territorial coverage, and consider patent lifecycle management through continuations or divisional applications.
References
[1] KIPRIS, Korean Intellectual Property Rights Information Service, Patent KR20230169413, available at https://www.kipris.or.kr.
[2] WIPO, Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications in South Korea, recent trends in pharmaceutical patents.
[3] Smith, J., et al. (2022). "Pharmaceutical patent landscapes in South Korea: Trends and strategic considerations," Journal of Patent Analytics.
