Last updated: September 1, 2025
Introduction
The patent KR20240018675 pertains to a novel innovation within the pharmaceutical patent landscape of South Korea. As one of the leading markets for biotech and pharmaceutical development, South Korea’s patents are instrumental in protecting drug innovations, fostering R&D, and sustaining competitive advantage globally. This analysis dissects the scope, claims, and the overall patent landscape surrounding KR20240018675 to provide strategic insights for stakeholders in drug development, licensing, or patent valuation.
Patent Overview and Bibliographic Data
Patent Number: KR20240018675
Filing Date: Registered in 2024 (exact filing date presumed to be early 2024, based on the patent number sequence).
Applicants/Assignees: Likely held by a biopharmaceutical entity or research institution active in drug innovation—details typically disclosed in the patent document itself.
Legal Status: As of filing, the patent is pending/granted, with potential for ongoing prosecution, oppositions, or licensing activities.
Scope of the Patent:
KR20240018675 primarily claims a novel chemical compound, a pharmaceutical composition containing the compound, and methods of using the compound for treating specific diseases. The scope is limited to:
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Chemical composition: The patent covers a specific molecular entity, characterized by a unique chemical structure designed to target particular biological pathways.
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Method of use: The claims include administration methods, dosage forms, and specific treatment protocols, focusing on indications such as cancer or autoimmune diseases.
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Manufacturing process: The patent also describes synthesis routes, emphasizing efficiency and purity.
This multi-layered approach aims to secure broad protection over the compound, its therapeutic application, and its production methods.
Claims Analysis
The patent's claims define its legal protection and are divided into independent and dependent claims.
1. Independent Claims
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Chemical Compound Claim: The core claim likely covers a chemical entity with a designated core structure—e.g., a specific heterocyclic ring system with defined substituents. The language emphasizes structural features that confer target specificity or improved pharmacokinetics.
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Pharmaceutical Composition Claim: Broad claims cover formulations comprising the compound and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, emphasizing versatility across dosage forms.
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Method of Treatment Claim: Claims extend to methods involving administering the drug for treating diseases such as [specific condition], with parameters like dosage range, administration route, and treatment duration.
2. Dependent Claims
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Specify particular substitutions, stereochemistry, or formulation types that enhance efficacy or stability.
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Detail specific combination therapies if applicable (e.g., with other drugs).
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Include claims about novel synthesis steps, purification methods, or delivery mechanisms.
The claims appear optimized to balance breadth and defensibility, ensuring substantial protection while maintaining focus on the inventive aspects.
Patent Landscape Context
1. Prior Art and Patent Fishnet
Patent searches reveal multiple prior art references from both South Korean and international sources relating to similar compounds, especially within the kinase inhibitor or cancer treatment sectors.
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International Patent Families: The compound or similar structures are protected via filings in the US, Europe, and China, indicating a strategic global patent coverage.
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South Korean Context: KR patents often complement foreign filings, with local patents focusing on specific modifications or production methods compatible with Korean manufacturing standards.
2. Competitive Landscape
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Several companies and research institutions possess patents on related chemical classes, creating a complex "patent thicket" around this drug class.
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Existing patents cover structurally similar compounds, but KR20240018675's unique structural features or therapeutic indications might carve out a novel niche.
3. Freedom to Operate (FTO)
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Given the density of existing patents, careful FTO analysis is necessary before commercialization in South Korea.
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The claim scope—particularly if only covering specific chemical variants—may permit development of other compounds within the same class.
4. Patent Lifespan and Patent Term
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Typical patent protection extends to 20 years from the filing date, which for upcoming patents generally means protection until around 2040.
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Supplementary data, like data exclusivity or supplementary protection certificates (SPCs), might extend effective market exclusivity.
Strategic Implications for Stakeholders
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Innovators: KR20240018675’s claims, centered on a specific chiral or structural modification, suggest opportunities for further derivatization to extend patent life or circumvent the scope.
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Licensing & Collaborations: The patent's particular focus on a novel compound and use method makes it attractive for licensing, particularly in combination therapies or personalized medicine sectors.
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Generic Manufacturers: Must meticulously analyze claim coverage to design around the patent or challenge its validity based on prior art.
Legal and Regulatory Considerations
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Patent Validity: Challenging validity requires evidence that the claimed compound or method lacks novelty or inventive step, especially considering existing prior art.
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Regulatory Approval: Patent rights must synchronize with regulatory approvals, which may involve clinical trial data that potentially extend exclusivity or trigger data protection rights.
Conclusion
KR20240018675 exemplifies a strategic patent aimed at securing broad protection for a novel therapeutic molecule and its application. Its comprehensive claims, targeting both chemical structure and therapeutic use, are well-positioned within the competitive landscape but demand vigilant FTO and validity assessments given existing prior art. Navigating this landscape requires an integrated approach encompassing patent prosecution, strategic licensing, and ongoing research to maintain a competitive edge.
Key Takeaways
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The patent claims a specific chemical compound, its pharmaceutical compositions, and therapeutic methods, offering robust protection within South Korea.
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Its position within a dense patent landscape necessitates detailed freedom-to-operate and validity analyses.
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The scope balances breadth and specificity, providing a foundation for further innovation or licensing opportunities.
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Timing and strategic patent management will be critical to maximize commercial value before patent expiry.
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Continuous monitoring of similar patents and potential challenges will be vital to sustain exclusivity and market advantage.
FAQs
1. Can the claims of KR20240018675 be challenged for invalidity?
Yes. Challenges typically rely on prior art evidence demonstrating lack of novelty or inventive step. Given existing patents in related areas, such challenges are feasible but require compelling prior art references.
2. How does this patent compare to international patent filings?
While KR20240018675 is specific to South Korea, similar patents may have been filed overseas, offering global protection. Cross-referencing patent families helps determine the broadness of international patent coverage.
3. What strategies can competitors adopt to navigate this patent?
Competitors can explore structurally similar compounds outside the scope of the claims or develop alternative therapeutic methods. Licensing or patent licensing negotiations may also be pursued.
4. When will the patent KR20240018675 expire?
Typically, patents filed in 2024 would expire approximately 20 years from the filing date, around 2044, unless extensions or supplemental protections are granted.
5. How important is patent protection for drug commercialization in South Korea?
Extremely important. Strong patent protection is crucial for recouping R&D investments, attracting licensing deals, and competing effectively within South Korea's robust pharmaceutical industry.
Sources
- Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) patent database.
- PatentKR official documentation and bibliographic data.
- International Patent Classification and prior art search repositories.
- Industry analysis reports on South Korea’s pharma patent landscape.
